Wine lives in the heart of Switzerland, and the heart of Switzerland is Zentralschweiz; the historic and mythological origin of the Swiss Confederation. It's here (according to legend) that on November 18, 1307, as punishment for his defiance, William Tell was forced to shoot an apple off his son's head. Tell's defiance kindled the revolt that ultimately led to the formation of the Swiss Confederation.
The heart of Zentralschweiz is in Luzern (Lucerne), the sunny slopes of the vineyards are concentrated in the wine sub-regions of Seetal, Vierwaldstättersee, Wiggertal, and Sempachersee. Two lakes provide a regulating influence on the climate across the area and the varied geology gives the wine of the sub-regions subtle variations in character.
The biggest wine sub-region in Canton Luzern is Seetal. Here, the high concentrations of limestone give the wine a sturdy structure.
In Vierwaldstättersee, the Föhn (warm southerly wind said to cause headaches and erratic behavior) encourages early budding of the grapevines and optimal ripening of the grapes. Add the rich soil and the result is a Swiss wine with finesse and elegance.
Wiggertal has the warmest and driest zones in Canton Luzern. The high clay content of soil on the steep southern slopes of the vineyards offers the ideal conditions for grapevines, producing a variety of Swiss wines with character.
The smallest wine sub-region in Luzern is Sempachersee. It's also the newest. The vineyards on the moraine hills benefit from well-draining soil and the many hours of sunshine, yielding harmonious and balanced wines.
