Swiss Vineyards Make UNESCO list
World Heritage List Includes Lavaux Vineyards near Lake Geneva
Vines of the Lavaux vineyards in Switzerland can be traced back to the 11th century, and many of the vineyards have been operated by the same families for generations.
The Lavaux Vineyards of Switzerland were among the 22 new sites inscribed by the World Heritage Committee for UNESCO’s World Heritage List during its recent session in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The people of the Lavaux vineyards and surrounding area are planning a festival on Sept. 22 to celebrate the designation. The Lavaux Festival will feature traditional Vaudoise food and, of course, wine. Additionally, Switzerland Tourism plans to launch an international Gastronomy and Wine campaign to coincide with the designation.
Evidence suggests that vines were cultivated in the area in Roman times, while the present vine terraces have been traced to the 11th century. At that time, Benedictine and Cistercian Monasteries controlled the land.
Currently, the Lavaux vineyards stretch about 30 kilometers along the northern shores of Lake Geneva in the French-speaking part of Switzerland known as the Vaud Region. Many of them have been run by the same families for generations. According to UNESCO, the vines, buildings and surrounding villages reflect how production of wine has changed over the past 10 centuries.
“Extensive remains of houses, mills, fortified towers, and much of the landscape reflect the way wine production evolved over that time,” the UNESCO Web site reads. “The cultural landscape of the Lavaux vineyard demonstrates in a highly visible way its evolution and development over close to a thousand years, through the preserved landscape and buildings, and also the continuation and adaptation of longstanding cultural traditions, specific to its locality.”
Lavaux produces a variety of white and red wines, but they are not well known outside of Switzerland because the Swiss purchase almost everything produced. Along with patronizing the vineyards, the locals are supportive of protection initiatives to keep urban settlements from endangering the region.
Visitors are encouraged to sample the local wines at caves operated by the wine growers. Many are open by appointment only, so making an inquiry before you go is prudent. The wines are also available at local restaurants. To view the vineyards, a trail runs through Lavaux that is suitable for all levels of walkers. The 32-kilometer trail includes signs explaining the types of soils, wines, vines and traditions of the area.
In addition to the Lavaux vineyards in Switzerland, the 2007 list includes Bordeaux, Port of the Moon in France. Port of the Moon is the historic center of the port city in Southwestern France. Click here to read more about Port of the Moon and its inclusion on the World Heritage list. Visit the World Heritage Web pages for a complete list of the sites including the newly inducted sites.
