Rivaz lies between vineyards and the lake; more than 70 percent of the municipality’s area is covered with vines. Its historic character and old-world charm create a quintessential winemaking atmosphere. At the same time, Rivaz lies entirely within the “Lavaux, vignoble en terrasses” perimeter and is now the only municipality for which this is true. The UNESCO World Heritage site is considered an exceptional example of the interaction between people and the environment.
Chasselas in the spotlight
At the publicly accessible Conservatoire du Chasselas, the diversity of the grape variety is on display across a 3,000-square-metre promenade: in the leaves, colours and different shapes of the grape clusters. The Conservatoire Mondial du Chasselas brings together 19 different Chasselas varieties alongside Fendant Roux. The Conservatoire du Chasselas highlights five varieties in particular because they have contributed significantly to Lavaux’s development: Fendant roux, Vert de la Côte, Giclet, Blanchette and Bois rouges. Here, you encounter not just a single grape variety, but also the diversity of its local expressions.
Understand and experience the wine landscape
Lavaux Vinorama in Rivaz is a visitor centre dedicated to the wines and terraced viticulture of Lavaux. It presents nearly 300 wines from across the wine-growing region. In the exhibition space, the demanding work of vineyard growers is shown in just a few minutes as the course of an entire year. Vinorama also has an indoor tasting area and a terrace overlooking Lake Geneva. Visitors can choose from individual bottles, a weekly selection of wines and a guided tasting. Check the arrangements for visits in advance.
The Route des Grands Crus de Lavaux brings the wine landscape to life with information panels, anecdotes and QR codes that provide access to additional content. If you are looking for a guided activity, consider the offerings from Lavaux-Experience: a walk through the terraced vineyards takes about an hour and focuses on the work of vineyard growers. It ends with a wine tasting and a typical regional meal in Rivaz.
Wine tastings and wineries
For another wine tasting, Domaine Chaudet offers guided tastings with a platter of local products. The estate’s vineyards extend into the Rivaz appellation, among other areas; check opening hours and booking arrangements in advance. In total, fifteen wineries run by growers from the village extend across the Saint-Saphorin and Dézaley appellation and cru areas. Vignerons de Rivaz comprises around fifteen wine-growing families who live and work in the village. Some of these families have lived there for several centuries.
Getting around by e-bike or train
A guided Lavaux e-bike tour starts and ends in Rivaz; the starting point is a three-minute walk from the station. The tour covers 15 kilometres through the wine-growing region. The morning Lavaux e-bike tour also includes a visit to a winery and a tasting of three wines. Duration and distance are separate planning details: a length is given for the tour, while an approximate walking time is given for Lavaux-Experience. Before travelling, check the latest meeting-point and inclusions details for the e-bike tour.
A small train also runs down to Rivaz and then back to Chexbres station, visiting several villages in Lavaux along the way. Operating days vary by season, so it is advisable to check the dates in advance. Rivaz is easily accessible by car, train and boat, and has its own boat landing. If you are travelling by boat, check the timetables and stops in advance.
A historic stop
The chapel in Rivaz dates from the 15th century and was recently restored. Its bell can be dated more precisely: it dates from between 1440 and 1450 and is considered the oldest in the region. The chapel offers another glimpse into the history of the village, alongside its winemaking heritage, still preserved today, and the viticulture that shapes the landscape.
Discover more destinations: Cully Vd, Pully, Grandvaux Vd, Bourg-En-Lavaux, Chexbres, Bussigny-sur-Oron, Saint-Saphorin, Lutry.
See the broader travel overview: Lavaux.
