Spiez Castle Winery day trip - Roman-era wine on Lake Thun's most beautiful shore

How to Complete

3 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 📜 1

   Find the Castle Built by a King in 933 AD

   history Free

   King Rudolph II of Burgundy built this castle in 933 AD - over 1,000 YEARS AGO. The Freiherr von Strättligen settled here shortly after. Current curtain walls and main tower date to 12th-13th centuries. In the 15th century, a disastrous fire left traces still visible on the north face. They rebuilt 1456-1469, adding the 'Trüel' (wine press room) during the von Erlach era. Schloss Spiez sits picturesquely on Lake Thun's peninsula, 50km from Gstaad (54-min drive via Zweisimmen), surrounded by terraced vineyards. Walk to the castle entrance (exterior free to explore). Look for the 15th-century fire damage on the north tower face - black char marks in the stone. Ask at the museum: 'Can I see the Trüel wine press room?' It's one of Switzerland's oldest wine-making spaces.

   🔄 BACKUP: If museum is closed, walk the terraced vineyards below the castle. These slopes have grown wine since 1338 (first documented), destroyed by disease in 1900, revived in 1928. You're walking 1,000 years of viticulture.

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   Taste Wine Made at 700m on Lake Thun's Terraces

   wine $$

   Winemaker Ursula Irion and her team make wines on terraced slopes that are among the HIGHEST vineyards north of the Alps. Lake Thun's balanced climate + warm Föhn wind create conditions for fresh whites and elegant reds. Romans planted wine here first, documented since 994 AD. Each wine tells the story of steep terraces, lake influence, and meticulous handwork. Book a private sommelier consultation at Spiezer Winery (Rebbau Spiez cooperative) at the castle or arrange tasting via alpineweinkultur.ch. Request a tasting focusing on Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) - both the simple version (red fruits + spices) and the Barrique (French oak, can age 10 years). Ask: 'How does Lake Thun affect the grapes?' The answer unlocks the terroir. Wines are stored in oak barrels under the castle.

   🔄 BACKUP: If winery tasting isn't available, buy a bottle at the castle shop and drink it on the terrace overlooking the lake. The view IS the terroir.

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   Compare Roman-Era Grapes Still Grown Today

   Optional

   wine $

   Romans developed wine culture here, with first vineyard documentation in 994 AD listing Elbling and Thunrebe (now Räuschling) grapes. After phylloxera wiped out vines around 1900, they replanted Müller-Thurgau in 1928. But here's the STORY: some of these grape varieties (Elbling, Räuschling) trace directly to Roman plantings. You can taste 1,000+ years of viticulture evolution. At your Spiez winery tasting, ask: 'Do you still grow Elbling or Räuschling grapes?' If yes, taste them to experience what Romans drank. If not, ask: 'How do your grapes differ from Roman varieties?' Compare old (Elbling) to new (Müller-Thurgau) - both are white, but flavor profiles show centuries of selection.

   🔄 BACKUP: If ancient varieties aren't available, focus on Müller-Thurgau tasting notes. This grape was invented in 1882 by Hermann Müller from Canton Thurgau - it's literally named after its Swiss creator.

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