We have now 24 WHS connected to vineyards. In some cases it's just a small part of the site, in at least 5 others like Lavaux the OUV is all about vineyards. That there are so many of them seems to be the result of the recent 'love' for the cultural landscape concept, the ways in which man interacts with and transforms the natural landscape. And somehow promoting viticulture is more attractive than the produce of grains for example. Though wines are produced all over the world, all 24 vineyard WHS are located in Europe!

No wonder ICOMOS had a hard time looking for the uniqueness of Lavaux. Its main characteristics are its terraces and their density. But it is by no means the only or the first site where vines are grown this way. It does not produce famous wines either. They might just have been blown away by the excellent nomination file made by Switzerland - like the one for La Chaux-de-Fonds/Le Locle it is very well-presented and extremely detailed.

I visited the area on a Sunday morning. The easiest way to see it is from the local train between Lausanne and Vevey. Do not take the intercity train, as this one just speeds by. From the local train that runs once an hour you can descend to the little towns along the route. I stopped at Saint Saphorin, and walked to Rivaz from there on a very fine hiking path about midway through the terraces. There are great views from here of the green vines, the glittering lake, a castle and some shapes of the Alps. Signboards along the way display background information about how the vineyards are kept up.

I really enjoyed this walk, especially while it was sunny and much warmer than at home. I finished with an excellent lunch at the Auberge de Rivaz.