by Natalie Halt
Natural wine is having a moment. Lausanne has long pioneered the biodynamic movement from the city gardens to their thousand-year-old vineyards so it comes as no surprise that our sweet little town has plenty to offer when looking for wines free of sulfites and added sugar, farmed without pesticides or herbicides, and left to its own devices in the winemaking process. Here is a short list of our insider’s guide by Wine Contributor, Natalie, to what we consider some of the best wine in Lausanne.
Natural Wine Shops
The natural purist’s hub, Mosto is a cozy woodsy shop nestled against the back edge of the Flon that caters to the funky-loving wine-seeking lot. They will celebrate their two-year anniversary this coming November. Each week, Mosto hosts tastings with featured producers often in attendance that are constantly evolving with new discoveries to be found at every visit. Read our review.
I have loved every bottle that I have ever tasted under the tutelage of the exceptionally well-informed bunch at Passeur de Vin. “Wines without a chemical straitjacket.” Self-proclaimed seekers of the peasants, artisans, and rebels, you will walk away from Le Passeur de Vin with both a bottle and a story. This is the essence of knowing and truly respecting the wines that you sell.
A beautiful small wine boutique with a nice selection of naturals and focused on sustainability, Vendanges also has premiere spirits, a gourmet épicerie, accessories, subscriptions, and bundles for all the appropriate occasions. Regular tastings featuring producers as well as organized tastings sur mesure, you are sure to feel find the perfect bottle in this adorable vinoteque.
Your other trusty online resource for all the best local addresses of bars, restaurants, shops, and cultural activities whose focus is on ecology, fairness, quality, and solidarity, La Chouquette has very recently opened an in-person “concept store” where you can find a few natural wines available for purchase in the shop.
Located in the charming neighborhood of – you guessed it – Chailly, this local epicerie carries a selection of difficult-to-find products as well as a gorgeous selection of produce and fish. But most impressive is their Cave À Vins – not exclusively natural wines, but several hand-picked bottles that are special enough to grace the shelves there. One thing we love? The staff are super helpful and love chatting about wine – they can guide you in finding the right bottle, then picking up a salty or sweet treat to go along with it.
Restaurants the feature natural wine
LEGRAM, all caps because they are THAT good, just celebrated their third year in business. Located in Renens, Paul Marsden runs the business while Alba Farnos Viñals is behind the humble kitchen that produces epic plates of food. Not only do they promote a sustainable philosophy in the kitchen, but every choice they make from the furniture, to the building itself, to their “zero dechet” policy is aligned with that mission. Working directly with farmers and artisans, LEGRAM optimizes the season’s produce and supply chain needs as a rule which makes natural wine the obvious choice when it comes to their wine list. Read our review.
Café des Philosophes – Bottle Brothers has been an institution in Lausanne for quite some time and is renowned for its selection of natural wines. Open for lunch and dinner, their food is crafted seasonally in collaboration with market gardeners and artisans that are right out the front door every Wednesday and Saturday. Live music, wine pop-ups and other regular events make a soiree at Café des Philosophes is always worth your while. Read our review.
Auberge de Montheron is passionate about the terroirs of Vaudois and Romand and is in constant communion with its local producers. Every ingredient is sourced from gardens, forests, farms, and bakeries as close to the day of service as possible. Chef Rafael Rodriguez’s end goal is balance, and he achieves that through playful curiosity and skillful technique. From cooking to fermenting to smoking to drying, the team creates menus that change on the daily. Hyper-focused on locality, the natural wines are always within a radius of 350km and the event that is hosted here in the Fall, Fete Desalpes, is an absolute must-attend. Read our review.
Arsenic
Located 20 minutes from the center of Lausanne, self-proclaimed “Bistronomy” Café de Chavannes Chef Luis offers you “frank, modern, and meticulous brasserie cuisine.” A lovely, shaded terrace makes the café a perfect outdoor dining destination. Their natural wine list is frequently paired with unique culinary suggestions which make for a delightful and curious gourmand experience.
Known as Lausanne’s “bistro with soul,” the iconic Couronne d’Or dates as far back as 1895. Over the decades/century, it has evolved from coffee shop to restaurant, all the while maintaining its original storefront and progressive approach to food, wine, and community. While known as a hipster hangout, Le Couronne d’Or welcomes everyone through its doors. This is a local jaunt full of history and while the wine list is small, it is mighty. Read our review.
Sardine
Since 2020, Sardine has been serving up Lausanne with the very freshest seasonal produce that they can get their hands on. Under the scrutinizing eye of chef Tom Castaing, the menu is on constant rotation every 3-4 weeks. Sardine adheres both to supporting only local producers as well as a no-waste policy and their 5-course Blind Menu which changes daily is a playful choice for folks willing to be surprised by the inspiration of the Chef that day. Either the tropical vibes or the gorgeous terrace will entice you and your fellow trend-setting/following foodies to relax and enjoy the ride. Read our review.
Located in the Contemporary Performing Arts Center, Arsenic, the window walled café is a luminous space where in a leafy setting you can find natural wine on the menu. Their season runs from September to June (soon to open!) and daily lunch offerings include a wonderful array of seasonal offerings. In addition to the noon lunch crowd, the Arsenic is a meeting space before and after shows, a concert hall, and an exhibition space all in the vein of the “life and conviviality of the art centre.” Keep an eye out for the upcoming schedule of events.
Located in the re-conceptualized urban art project known as Platform 10, Le Nabi is the culinary soul. Innovation intersects with a focus on health, culture, gastronomy, and aesthetics at this bold restaurant. Le Nabi is the creative expression of chefs inspired by both Peruvian and Vaudois flavors in the kitchen and natural wines are a perfect pairing for the occasion.
You can’t miss the picturesque terrace of Café des Artisans in the Rôtillon district in downtown Lausanne. Art deco bistro meets colorful brasserie at this vintage-vibed café where the menu ranges from comfort foods to downright “exotic” in a friendly, chill setting. Their natural wines are primarily focused on local Swiss production.
Rest assured that the natural wines at L’Atelier are delightful. They are sourced directly from our go-to wine shop, Mosto! Part wooden café, part rotating gallery, part community integration, L’Atelier exists to serve its local patrons, a sentiment you pick on the second you walk through the front door. The menu is defined by fresh produce and comfort-food recipes and on Sundays, you can expect a brunch served buffet-style. Come for a glass of natural wine, and leave with some fresh art for your abode. Read our review.
Sky Lounge & La Brasserie du Royal
Boasting some of Lausanne’s most spectacular views, one cannot overlook the Hotel Royal Savoy when it comes to natural wine. Their menu shifts seasonally to reflect the bounty of the region and you will feel like royalty perched atop the historic Royal Savoy encircled in your glassed rooftop or downstairs in the beautiful La Brasserie.
Anne-Sophie Pic- Gastronomic restaurant
Café Beau-Rivage- Luxe brasserie
L’Accademia- restaurant at Hotel Angleterre
Natural wine is having such a moment that even the most exclusive menus in the world (that’s right, over 75,000 bottles here) feature them in their collection. Beau Rivage is no exception, so if you are feeling like an upscale special occasion soiree, know that you can drink your natural wine with your gastronomic experience.
Bars / Cafes / Clubs that feature natural wine
Adorably cozied up next to the Parc du Milan, Le Montriond is your corner café for nibbles, coffee and their “vin nature du moment.” Situated on a roundabout, this outdoor café is a permanent fixture buvette just below the train station.
Street Cellar is your cool-as-hell bar cafe in the hip Flon district for local wines on tap (read: a dozen by the glass!) and ‘chien chauds’ on the plate. Our TLG Summer Rosé Party was hosted here in June, so you can imagine our love for all things “caviste du rue.” Tell them we said hi! Read our review.
From live jam sessions to stand-up comedy soirees, you will enjoy your vin vivant in convivial company at Superposé. Also known for rotating guest chefs as well as an antique furniture store upstairs, this Bistro Lausannois is anything but basic. Check out our feature on Superpose. Read our review.
Cocktail bar upstairs, nightclub in the basement, and nestled beneath the Cathedrale in the Old Town, Jaja is committed to the naturals on their wine list. Small plates are prepared next door at Sardine, so you can rest assured that your culinary experience will be on par with the libations you sip beneath the retro ’90s London-inspired disco ball at this glitz and glam club. Read our review.
Switzerland’s very first crowd-funded bistro-bar and they have a lovely selection of naturals on their wine list. Their intention is to connect the neighborhood with both each other and with the local producers. They do just that with every item on the menu as they “humanize consumption and bring meaning back to the ritual of apero.” Read our review.
Where to find natural wine online
- Vin Franc: Independent natural wine merchant based in Lausanne.
- Le Naturiste: Naked wines! The best naturals produced by wine makers that are “100% engaged, 100% juice and 100% love.”
- Farmy: Local online grocer in Lausanne with some fun natural options.
- Soul Wines: Brick and mortar in Geneva, but they ship throughout Switzerland.
- More Than Wine: Great option for finding living vino and we love the sliding scale of just how naturally inclined you may be in your journey.
- Smith & Smith: Vibrant youth is behind the virtual hipness of smith&smith who fervently advocate for wines that do not wreak havoc on Mother Earth.
- Studio Wine: Zurich’s go-to natural wine shop but you are in luck! They deliver throughout Switzerland.
- Flaschenpost: Switzerland’s largest online wine shop with natural options.
- Pamisa: Living Spanish and Portuguese wines that can be shipped to your doorstep.
- Divo: Heralded as Switzerland’s first wine club dating back to 1936, this online hub is fixated on oenological discoveries that will tickle your wine fancy.
- Gerstl Weinselektionen: Selling wine since 1981, fairly priced with a focus on smaller vineyards.
- Meine Weine: Personalized and friendly online wine service with an apparent love of the philosophies of their producers.
- Kairos: A curated online shop with a team from France and Switzerland. Kairos means “the opportune moment.” It represents the decisive turning point, the critical time to act, supported by the right people and true to the values that guide them.
Natural wine App
Raisin: If natural wine is your jam, you must have this app to seek out natties worldwide!
