Lavaux

Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

State Party

Switzerland
Type Cultural
Criteria iii, iv, v
Reference 1243
Region** Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 2007 (31st Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
** Region as classified by UNESCO.

The Lavaux is a region in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, in the district of Lavaux. Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the actual vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries controlled the area. The Lavaux consist of 830 hectares of terraced wineyards that stretch for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva. It benefits from a temperate climate, but the southern aspect of the terraces with the reflection of the sun in the lake and the stone walls gives a mediterranean character to the region. The main wine grape variety grown here is the Chasselas.

Under cantonal law, the vineyards of the Lavaux are protected from development. Since July 2007, the Lavaux is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.