Three-Lakes

The Neuchâtel coast is the preponderant part of the Three Lakes region. The vineyards extend along Lake Neuchâtel, from Vaumarcus in the south to Cressier in the north. The other wines of the region come from the vineyards bordering the lakes of Biel and Murten.

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Key information

Area : 946 ha

Producers : +/- 100

Grapes variety : 60 +

Contact

Tourismus Biel Seeland

InfoCenter, Bahnhofplatz 12

2501 Biel/Bienne

info@biel-seeland.ch

+41 32 329 84 84

Neuchâtel Vins et Terroir

Route de l’Aurore 4

2053 Cernier

nvt@ne.ch

+41 32 889 42 16

Bienne Seeland

Unique terroir

Around 70 winegrowers cultivate an area of 220 hectares of vines on Lake Biel. The soils on the dry, stony south-east slope of Lake Biel are barren and very chalky, and they produce wines of great character. Molasse soils prevail in the area around Erlach and on St. Peter’s Island. The vines benefit from the heat storage effect of the lake and from the microclimatic advantages of the terracing.

A total of over 40 grape varieties have found a home on Lake Biel, which is traditionally a white wine region. The typical limestone soil is ideal for Chasselas and Burgundy Chardonnay varieties as well as the Pinot family (Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc). Müller-Thurgau, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and many other specialties also find the conditions here ideal.

Malbec, Diolinoir and St. Laurent, which are often aged in oak barrels, are also becoming established among the red varieties in addition to Pinot Noir. These specialties are often only available in small quantities.

Neuchâtel

A land of character

The Neuchâtel vineyard is part of the 3 Lakes Region (Biel, Murten, Neuchâtel). The whole is composed of 900 hectares. Neuchâtel is the largest region with 606 hectares.

The Neuchâtel region has nearly 50 wineries that perpetuate the tradition of wine. The majority of the vintages meet the specificities of the Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) wines that have built up a certain reputation over time.

The wines of the region surprise by their inventiveness, their subtlety and their quality. The many specialties such as
Le Non Filtré: Made from Chasselas, this fresh, floral and subtle white wine is the first Swiss wine of the year.
Oeil de Perdrix: a rosé wine of character made from the Pinot Noir grape variety, not very well vatted and proudly promoted by our winemakers.
The Pinot Noir: Requires a reasoned viticulture, it was able to make a place year after year in the most famous wine competitions.
Daring new products are also being created in a vineyard that marries authenticity and dynamism.