Swiss vineyards vanish as global wine demand collapses

Swiss vineyards are facing a steep decline as wine consumption drops worldwide. Over the next two years, an estimated 10 percent of vineyards in Valais, Vaud, and Geneva could vanish. The crisis has left growers like Bruno Perroud, an amateur vintner from Savièse, uprooting decades-old vines planted with his grandfather.

The problem isn't just local—it's part of a global slump. Between 2018 and 2024, wine consumption fell by 12 percent, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. American and French vineyards have already shrunk in response. In Switzerland, steep hillside plots are suffering the most, as high cultivation costs and labour demands make them unsustainable.

Swiss cellars are struggling to sell stock, forcing them to buy fewer grapes and cut back on workers. The federal government and regional authorities have stepped in, offering financial support for voluntary vine removal—but only to professional growers. This leaves smaller producers, like Perroud, without aid, risking chaotic uprooting that could damage the landscape.

The crisis even threatens Lavaux, the UNESCO-protected vineyard region. To fight back, the Swiss wine industry is pushing for a public vote to raise taxes on imported wines. The move aims to protect local producers, though details on timing and affected regions remain unclear.

Without intervention, more vineyards will disappear, altering Switzerland's wine country forever. The proposed tax hike on imports could offer relief, but its success depends on public support. For now, growers like Perroud must decide whether to keep their vines—or let them go.