A six-kilometre vineyard trail brings the character of Mont-sur-Rolle to life: along the Parcours des Cépages, you can observe selected grapevines. The route follows vineyard paths and passes through the historic village, where buildings from different periods can be visited. Allow about an hour and a half for the 6 km; the trail is accessible to everyone. On clear days, views extend to Geneva’s Jet d’Eau and Mont Blanc. Winegrowing, local history and scenery come together along the same route.
Vineyards, Elevations and Lake Geneva
The area of Mont-sur-Rolle stretches from the Essertines plateau at 710 metres to 359 metres near Lake Geneva. The slopes lie between 400 and 600 metres above sea level and are overlooked by wooded escarpments. This means the landscape cannot be defined by its vineyard paths alone: the changes in elevation and wooded slopes are also part of its character.
Mont-sur-Rolle has 150 hectares of vineyards. The Grands Crus are associated with moraine soils, whose clay gives them a distinctive character. Lake Geneva is also part of the vineyard’s story: the vines are reflected in its waters, and the vineyard benefits from the lake’s thermal properties. These details give winegrowing a tangible setting in the landscape.
Winegrowing and Local History
The winegrowing tradition of Mont-sur-Rolle dates back to the 12th century. Cistercian monks settled there, cleared the hillside for cultivation and planted vines. The historic village layout is also a defining feature: the hamlets of Mont-sur-Rolle and the centre of the former Mont-sur-Rolle form a historic village listed in the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.
Several traditional castle sites tell the story of former structures. Below the hamlet of Mont-dessus stood the Vieux Château, a fortified castle built in 996 and destroyed in 1475. Some remains of the former castle of Mont can still be seen on the Molard. It was named Bourg Sainte-Marie after the chapel located there.
Experience Wine
The Maison des Vins de La Côte in Mont-sur-Rolle brings together wines from 12 AOC production sites in one visitor destination. Its public offering includes wine tastings, educational workshops, seminars and themed evenings. The ENTRE MURS building is distinguished by architecture inspired by the dry-stone walls of the region’s terraced vineyards. Visitors can therefore explore not only the wine itself, but also the educational activities and the architecture of the venue as distinct aspects of the experience.
Another wine-related experience is the Balade Gourmande, held annually in September. At nine stops, wine tastings are paired with culinary specialities, with winemakers presenting and serving the wines. If you would like to include this event in your trip, check the exact event dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Coinsins, La Rippe, Vich, Grens, Tartegnin, Saint-Cergue, Duillier, Genolier.
For the overview of the wider travel region: Nyon.
