Lavaux, tastings on the terraces

In the shade of a low vineyard wall, a lake breeze cools the terrace in Epesses while a glass of Chasselas opens with linden and flint. The slopes are steep—30 to 50 percent—and UNESCO-listed dry-stone walls draw the eye down to Cully’s bay. The Dents du Midi cut the horizon. Parcels read like a map, from Dézaley Grand Cru to the rows above Aran. Since the 11th century, these terraces have trapped warmth from lake, sun, and stone, giving grapes a triple reflection and visitors viewpoints around 450–600 meters.

Then the day clicks into place: pick-up at your Lausanne hotel, a Mercedes at your disposal for four hours. It’s 15 minutes to Lutry, then up to Grandvaux where the Signal viewpoint at 650 meters sets up the first photos while your private driver handles the stops. Two pre-booked tastings with growers in Epesses and the Dézaley, short hops of 10–20 minutes between each, and time for a lakefront lunch in Cully or Rivaz. You taste and talk; we handle parking, timing, and changes if a parcel or cellar visit becomes available.