It is a long and happy tradition in the wine producing areas of the country for wine-growers to celebrate the end of harvest. Geneva produces many fine wines and the vignerons in the village of Russin are typically pretty partial to a good party.
This weekend in the village of Russin on the western side of the canton, the centre-piece of the celebrations is the street procession – a colourful event with farm carts lavishly decorated with flowers accompanied with much fanfare by local marching bands. Around the village local musicians will be playing for the public, so get a glass of wine and wander around taking in the atmosphere. There is also an artisanal or craft market running over the whole weekend.
The fête starts at 11.30 on Saturday and there is a children’s festival that starts at 14h00 (Cost CHF 5-). Saturday’s revelries end for the night at 03h00. Then on Sunday, it all gets going again from 08.30 until 22h30.
For the serious wine taster, a good selection of wines is available to taste at 14h00 on Saturday. Buy a ticket for CHF 20- and be guided by Vincent Debergé, chef sommelier at the Chat-Botté.
The wines to be tasted are:
- Chasselas 2013 – Domaine des Molards
- Aligoté 2013 – Domaine du Paradis
- Sauvignon 2013 – Stéphane Dupraz
- Gamay Côte de Russin 2013 – Cave de Genève
- Pinot Noir 2011 – Domaine des Graves
- Gamaret 2012 – Les Perrières
- Assemblage Rouge 2012 – Domaine de la Vigne Blanche
For further information: fetedesvendangesrussin.ch