Three lakes

The vineyards located on the banks of Lake Neuchâtel account for the largest part of the production in this region. The vineyards stretch along the lake from Vaumarcus in the south to Cressier in the north. The other wines from the region (issued for the most part from the Chasselas and the Pinot Noir grapes) come from the vineyards bordering the Lakes of Bienne (canton of Bern) and of Morat (canton of Fribourg and Vaud). The only red grape variety allowed in the cantons of Neuchâtel and Bern is the Pinot Noir, which produces excellent red wines, as well as the superb Œil-de-Perdrix, a refined and fruity rosé created in Neuchâtel. The most well-known wines of Neuchâtel among the white varieties are ones produced with the Chasselas grape. However the region also offers quite elegant specialities such as a few sparkling wines, and some award-winning Chardonnays. Thanks to the influence of the nearby lakes, this gentle-hilled region possesses a moderate and airy climate, in which autumnal mists are quite frequent. The difference in soils from one vineyard to another is reflected in the numerous nuances of bouquet in the Chasselas wines. The soils are generally rich in limestone. In the centre and the east, they soils are lighter and stony; in some places, however, heavier soils in marl can be found. At the foot of the vineyards, alluvium soils are present, which are deeper and heavier.