Wine Tour Spiez: Taste Swiss Wine Above Lake Thun

98% of Swiss wine never leaves the country. It does not appear on shelves in London or New York. It stays here, in the cantons where it was grown, consumed by the people who live alongside the vines.

What that means for you is concrete. A glass of Riesling-Sylvaner from the hillside above Lake Thun is a wine you cannot find at home. It does not exist outside of Switzerland. That is not a marketing claim. It is a supply reality.

Spiez sits 20 minutes by direct train from Interlaken. The vineyards slope down toward the lake, framed by a medieval castle on one side and the Bernese Alps on the other. Most visitors come for the view. They stay for the wine. This guide covers what to expect, what you drink, when to go, and why this particular tour is unlike anything else available from Interlaken.

What Makes a Wine Tour in Spiez Different?

A wine tour in Spiez is different because it is small, local, and not built for crowds. The group is capped at 8 people. The wines come from a single estate that does not sell to the public. The view from the vineyard combines a turquoise lake, a medieval castle, and snow-capped Alps in a single frame.

Most wine regions that tourists visit operate at scale. There are coaches, tasting rooms with printed menus, and a production-line feel. Spiez has none of that. The estate at Rebbau Spiez produces wine in small quantities for a local market. Access to that estate, and to a tasting on the hillside above Lake Thun, exists because of a direct partnership with Swiss Local Adventures. You cannot arrange this visit independently.

The result is something closer to visiting a friend who happens to make wine than joining a commercial tour. That distinction matters if you have done wine tastings elsewhere and found them forgettable.

The Vineyards of Spiez: A History That Starts in 994 AD

Winemaking in Spiez is documented from 994 AD. That predates most famous wine regions in France. The first written records of vines on these hillsides appear in medieval documents tied to the Benedictine monks who recognised the potential of the south-facing slopes above Lake Thun.

Swiss aristocracy refined the techniques over the following centuries. The wines produced here were not for general consumption. They were reserved for noble households and diplomatic occasions, which maintained a level of quality driven by prestige rather than volume.

The modern estate at Rebbau Spiez continues that tradition. The vineyards are classified as heroic viticulture: slopes steep enough to require entirely manual labour. No machinery can operate on these terraces. Pruning, monitoring, and harvesting happen by hand, as they have for over a thousand years.

Spiez also sits among the highest vineyard areas north of the Alps. The altitude means slower ripening and more time for aromas to develop. The lake reflects sunlight back onto the vines, extending the effective growing season into autumn. The result is wines with a precision and freshness that flat-terrain viticulture cannot replicate.

What Do You Taste on the Spiez Wine Tour?

The tasting includes four wines from Rebbau Spiez, paired with Swiss AOP cheeses and artisanal bread. The two main grape varieties grown at the estate are Riesling-Sylvaner and Pinot Noir.

Riesling-Sylvaner (Müller-Thurgau) is the primary white grape of Spiez. It produces a fresh, aromatic wine with floral notes, citrus character, and clean Alpine acidity. On the palate: green apple, white flowers, citrus zest, and a subtle herbal finish. It pairs naturally with the mild hard cheeses on the tasting board, particularly Emmentaler AOP, where the wine's acidity cuts through the fat and lifts the finish.

Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) is the estate's red. Lighter in body than Burgundy or New World Pinot, with aromas of red berries, cherries, and soft forest floor. The tannins are silky and the finish is fresh. It pairs well with aged cheese and the air-dried meats typical of the Bernese Oberland.

The cheese and bread selection is chosen to match the wines poured on the day. Both the wine and the cheese are produced in quantities too small for export. You are tasting a combination that does not exist outside of this specific geography.

What to Expect on a Wine Tour in Spiez

I have been to wine regions that feel like airports. Bus groups, laminated menus, glasses with the winery logo printed on them. Spiez is the opposite. There were six of us at the table. The lake was right there. Someone poured a second glass before I had finished asking what grape it was. That is the Spiez version of wine hospitality.

The tour runs from Interlaken and takes approximately 3.5 hours in total:

• Pick-up from Interlaken

• Drive to Spiez (20 minutes)

• Guided walk through the vineyard terraces

• Seated tasting of four wines with cheese and bread pairings

• Return to Interlaken

The Estate and the Partnership

At Rebbau Spiez, Sebastian is the contact who made this partnership possible. He handles the relationship between SLA and the winery, so the access you get on the tour is not something you can book anywhere else. The tasting is not on a public calendar. It exists through this arrangement specifically.

What to Wear

Comfortable shoes with grip are the most important item. The vineyard paths slope and the terrain is uneven in places. Dress for the weather: layers in spring and autumn, lighter clothing in July and August. Sunglasses and sunscreen matter in summer. There is no dress code for the tasting.

Spiez or Lavaux: Which Wine Tour From Interlaken?

If you are deciding between the two main options for wine tourism from Interlaken, here is the honest comparison.

Lavaux is UNESCO-listed, iconic, and roughly 90 minutes from Interlaken by train. The terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva are one of the most striking wine landscapes in Europe. It is worth the journey if you have a full day. The main grape is Chasselas, which produces a mineral, delicate white unlike anything grown elsewhere.

Spiez is 20 minutes from Interlaken by direct train. No tour buses. Maximum 8 people. The view from the vineyard terrace combines Lake Thun, Spiez Castle, and the Bernese Alps in the same frame. It fits into a half-day without rushing.

If you have a half day: Spiez. Accessible, intimate, and scenically exceptional.

If you have a full day: Lavaux rewards the journey.

For a full comparison of all five Swiss wine regions with travel times from Interlaken, the guide to the best wine regions in Switzerland covers each one in detail.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Spiez Vineyards?

The vineyards are open for tours from May through October. Each period has a different character.

May and June bring fresh green vines, wildflowers between the rows, and quieter conditions. The light in late afternoon is good for photography and temperatures are comfortable for walking. One to two weeks advance booking is generally sufficient.

July and August are peak season. The vines are in full growth, the lake is at its most intensely coloured, and evenings are long. Book two to three months ahead for these months. The 8-person cap means the tour fills quickly.

September and October are the harvest months. The vines turn from green to gold and red. The grapes are ready for picking and the air carries the scent of fermenting must.

The Spiezer Läset-Sunntig (Spiez Harvest Sunday) is an annual festival held in late September or early October. Producers open their cellars and the harvest is active in the vineyards. If your travel dates are flexible, this window is worth prioritising.

💡 Insider Tip from Pierre:

"If you want the most magical experience, book the Friday evening tour during harvest season (late September). The golden light on the lake at sunset, combined with the energy of harvest, is something you'll remember forever."

Your Questions About the Spiez Wine Tour

How long does the wine tour last?

The full experience runs approximately 3.5 hours from Interlaken, including pick-up, the drive to Spiez, the vineyard walk, the seated tasting, and the return. The tasting itself runs around 90 minutes. Plan the rest of your day around a late afternoon return to Interlaken.

How much does the wine tour cost?

The tour is priced at CHF 139 per person. That includes guided transport from Interlaken, the vineyard walk, the wine tasting with four wines, and the Swiss AOP cheese and bread pairing. The group is capped at 8 people. This is a private-feel experience, not a shared coach tour.

What wines do you taste?

The tasting focuses on the two main varieties grown at Rebbau Spiez: Riesling-Sylvaner and Pinot Noir. Both are produced in small quantities and are not available outside Switzerland. The selection may vary slightly by season and vintage.

Is Swiss wine actually good?

Consistently better than visitors expect. Switzerland produces wine that stays almost entirely within the country, which creates a false impression of low quality. The Riesling-Sylvaner from Spiez and the Grand Cru Chasselas from Lavaux both compete with established European wine regions. Most guests describe the same reaction after the first glass: "I had no idea Switzerland made wine like this."

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Groups are capped at 8 people, which means the tour fills quickly from July to October. Booking two to three months ahead is recommended for September and October. Outside peak season, one to two weeks is generally sufficient.

Can I do a self-guided wine tour in Spiez?

The Spiez Vineyard Sensory Adventure Trail is a public walking path through the vineyards, open year-round and free to access. It does not include wine tastings or access to the Rebbau Spiez estate. If you want to walk the vines independently, the trail is a good option. If you want a tasting with local wines and a guide, the organised tour is the only way to access Rebbau Spiez directly.

How far is Spiez from Interlaken?

Spiez is approximately 30 kilometres from Interlaken. By direct train from Interlaken Ost, the journey takes 20 minutes. Transport to and from Spiez is included in the tour price.

Do the winemakers speak English?

Your guide on the SLA tour is bilingual and handles all explanations in English. The winemakers at Rebbau Spiez can communicate basic information in English, but the guided format means you never lose context during the tasting. If you want to explore more small-group experiences from Interlaken, the wine tour pairs naturally with a half-day on the lake or a farm visit the following morning.

Ready to Taste the Wine That Switzerland Keeps to Itself?

The vineyards above Lake Thun have been producing wine since 994 AD. The estate at Rebbau Spiez makes its wine for a local market that absorbs everything produced. The wine you taste here is wine that exists only in this specific place, in this specific season.

Most visitors to Interlaken spend their time looking up at mountains. The wine tour in Spiez is what you do when you want to look out across a lake, hold a glass of something you cannot buy at home, and spend an afternoon in a place that has not changed its essential character in a thousand years.

Scenic Wine Tour - Wine and Cheese Tasting Interlaken. Limited to 8 guests per tour.

*Written by Olivia Lufman, your travel writer at Swiss Local Adventures

Source:

on-site visits to the Rebbau Spiez Genossenschaft vineyards, 2026.