Masterclass: Intro to Swiss Wines - Taste the Alps

Switzerland is one of the world’s most intriguing, and least explored, wine-producing countries. Nestled at the crossroads of France, Italy, Germany, and Austria, Swiss vineyards climb dramatic alpine terraces, follow glacial rivers, and cling to impossibly steep mountain slopes. Despite producing wine for over 2,000 years, more than 98% of Swiss wine is consumed domestically, making it one of the world’s true hidden wine treasures.

In this immersive masterclass you’ll be guided through the unique history, geography, grape varieties, and winemaking philosophies that define Swiss wine today. Designed for both wine professionals and curious enthusiasts, this event offers a rare opportunity to explore a category that remains largely unavailable outside of Switzerland.

Hosts

• Dylan Stine and Brandon Austin, Co-Founders of Domaine Dardagny Inc (DDI Wine)
• David Glancy, MS, CWE, Founder San Francisco Wine School

Guest Winemakers

• Frederic Rochaix - Domaine les Perrières (Geneva)
• Alicia Ceppi - Cave de la Côte (Vaud)
• Sven Hohl - Weingut Rebhald (Graübunden)
• Christian Obrecht - Weingut Obrecht (Graubunden)
• Stéphanie Hughes-Sierro - Maision Gilliard (Valais)

Regions

We’ll begin with an overview of Switzerland’s six official wine regions: Valais, Vaud, Geneva, Ticino, Neuchâtel, and German-speaking Switzerland, each shaped by extreme alpine conditions, glacial soils, and a remarkable diversity of microclimates. You’ll learn how altitude, sun exposure, and dramatic diurnal shifts influence ripeness, acidity, and balance, resulting in wines that are precise, expressive, and distinctly alpine in character.

Grape Varieties

A key focus of the class will be Switzerland’s indigenous and signature grape varieties. From Chasselas (also known as Fendant), the country’s most important white grape and a benchmark for terroir transparency, to rare alpine reds like Cornalin, Swiss wines tell a story that cannot be replicated elsewhere. We’ll also explore how internationally familiar grapes, such as Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Merlot take on a uniquely Swiss expression when grown in mountain vineyards.

Tasting

Through a guided tasting, participants will experience a curated selection of Swiss wines that showcase the breadth and depth of the country’s production. The tasting will highlight contrasts between regions, styles, and grape varieties, while emphasizing the hallmark traits of Swiss wine: freshness, precision, minerality, and balance. Along the way, we’ll discuss traditional and modern winemaking techniques, sustainability practices, and the growing influence of organic and biodynamic farming in Swiss viticulture.

Global Context

Beyond the glass, this masterclass will also address Switzerland’s place in the global wine landscape—why Swiss wines are so rare internationally, how they compare stylistically to neighboring regions, and why sommeliers and collectors around the world are beginning to pay closer attention.

Who Should Attend

This Masterclass is appropriate for all levels.  Whether you’re a wine professional seeking to expand your global knowledge or an enthusiast eager to discover something truly different, Taste the Alps offers a compelling introduction to one of Europe’s most fascinating wine cultures. Come prepared to rethink alpine wine—and to taste Switzerland as few ever have.