Great Wine Capitals Meet in Lausanne
The annual meeting of the Great Wine Capitals network will be held in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, from tomorrow (October 22) through Thursday (October 26, 2023).
The program will highlight the canton of Vaud’s wine tourism and present the “Best of Wine Tourism Awards at the closing event.
The Great Wine Capitals network brings together the world’s major tourist and wine capitals, including San Francisco, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Adelaide, and Cape Town. Lausanne, which is also known as the Olympic capital, joined the Great Wine Capitals network in 2018 and has evolved into a must-see wine tourism destination.
Lausanne Tourism, the City of Lausanne, Vaud Promotion, the Vaud Wine Office, and Swiss Wine Promotion jointly organize this international event. It will take place over five days and will give delegates from several countries the opportunity to discover Swiss wine treasures. The opening ceremony will be a guided tour through the city of Lausanne. On the following three days, there will be an immersion in the nearby vineyards and cellars of French and Italian-speaking Switzerland as well as some selected regions in the Swiss-German part. Several visits are planned to some of Vaud’s top academic and cultural sites, such as the Lavaux terraced vineyards that are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as historic castles and renowned schools.
The conference will conclude with a conference day at the Olympic Museum, followed by a gala dinner at the Beau-Rivage Palace. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the coveted “Best of Wine Tourism Awards,” which rewards estates and service providers for their original and quality wine tourism services.
Lausanne will also host an extraordinary event Wednesday (October 25, 2023) called “Lausanne à Table” which is open to all. On the program is a pop-up dinner created by four leading Swiss chefs and winemakers who will prepare an exclusive menu and select the best Swiss wines to accompany it.
Vaud, Switzerland
Vaud is located in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland. It is an enduring, picture-postcard destination of classic mountain beauty, refined cuisine, and legendary hotels. The region is timeless, with lakeside promenades, steamships, and five-star Belle Époque-era hotels. Visitors come for wine tastings in the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Lac Léman and the Alps. They dine in celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and local brasseries and visit lively farmers’ markets. Outdoor opportunities are endless, from skiing to hiking, biking, walking in the mountains, boating, or swimming in Lac Léman.
(Photos courtesy of Vaud Tourism and Great Wine Capitals)
