Harvesting in symphony at the Vitis Musicalis Wine Estate

A day of grape harvesting organised with metronomic precision

This year, I had the opportunity to join Alain, his team, his son-in-law Stéphane and a dozen volunteers from the region and further afield. Here, the grape harvest is not entrusted to seasonal workers, but to volunteers, in keeping with a tradition started in 2002: “à la carte” grape harvesting.

The day begins with a warm welcome over coffee and croissants, interspersed with Alain’s explanations of how the picking is organised. It doesn’t take long for everyone to feel like “family”. Then comes the time to tackle the impressive slopes of the vineyard and embark on our mission as grape pickers. What an honour to take part in such an activity! We feel the might of the group as the crates fill up at a fast rate. Armed with our secateurs, we harvested nearly three tonnes of Chasselas grapes in just four hours, under a generous autumn sun.

This year’s heatwave made the grapes delicate, so the harvest had to be brought in without delay: “The years go by, and no two are ever the same,” Alain tells us, which is what makes the work of a winegrower so fascinating.

After the effort came the reward: a tasting of the estate’s wines followed by a friendly meal prepared by the family. Here, the spirit of sharing, meeting people and being rooted in the local culture is at the heart of everything.

When the vines vibrate to the sound of musical notes

The name “Vitis Musicalis” is not just a whim. Two years ago, Alain introduced an innovative approach: musical sequences played in the heart of the vineyards. Twice a day, sound vibrations stimulate the vine stock’s natural defences against certain diseases, including esca, a potent fungus.

Alain’s estate is the only one in Switzerland to use plant music therapy, following a method developed together with the French company Genodics. It is a gentle, sustainable and poetic alternative that perfectly reflects Alain’s spirit: authentic, visionary and deeply committed to the health of his vines.

And when you learn that he himself is a saxophonist, you can better understand his desire to mature his wines not in barrels, but in resonance with musical notes, to preserve their authenticity.

A living heritage, bursting with creativity

The family home, which dates back to the 16^th century, bears witness to the history of Lavaux and the generations of winegrowers who have succeeded one another there. Each era has brought its share of innovations: mechanisation, diversification and, today, wine tourism, which accounts for half of the estate’s income.

With an annual production of 20,000 bottles, 60% of which are Chasselas, Alain refuses to give in to standardising trends. His wines are the result of patient and sincere labour, rooted in a demanding terroir. Added to this is his boundless creativity: his famous “reserved barrels” host up to 600 events a year. And Alain is never short of ideas for the future.

An appeal to Lausanners and passing travellers

At a time when demand for wine is slowing down (due to declining alcohol consumption and international competition), Alain sends out a clear message to Lausanners: “Don’t forget Lavaux.” Order wine from the region, come and meet us, maintain your connection with this heritage that is part of your identity. The Lavaux vineyards are not just a postcard for tourists, they are a living treasure that the inhabitants must continue to nurture.

He offers passing travellers a lovely metaphor: “Lavaux is like an oyster: it takes time and effort to prise it open, but what riches await inside.” So take the time to stroll along the vineyard paths, ask questions, and meet the people who tend to these vertiginous slopes. You’ll leave with much more than a bottle of wine: you’ll take a small part of Lavaux’s soul with you.