The Schaffhausen wine region

Klettgau, a rural and remote area along the German border, is the largest wine region in Schaffhausen, spanning 389 hectares. The largest contiguous vineyard in German-speaking Switzerland, situated on the gentle slopes of the Randen stretches from Gächlingen through Oberhallau and Hallau to Trasadingen. The deep, chalky clay soils provide ideal conditions for Pinot Noir, the hallmark grape of this region.

The renowned Hallauer red wine, from the centre of this region, made from Pinot Noir, has long been considered a flagship product of Schaffhausen and remains one of Switzerland’s most recognised red wines.

Viticulture in Erzingen and Rechberg, part of Klettgau, dates back to Roman times. These areas primarily cultivate Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau.

In the late Middle Ages, Schaffhausen’s strategic location near the Rhine Falls made it the epicentre of winemaking in Eastern Switzerland. Today, seven hectares within the city remain dedicated to viticulture, resisting urban development. Together with the Reiat region in the northeast, this wine area encompasses 28 hectares. Thayngen, the main town of the Reiat, has been celebrated for its exceptional vineyards for over 300 years.

While Klettgau’s clay-rich soils yield full-bodied, velvety wines, Schaffhausen and Reiat’s lighter sandy-gravel soils produce lively Pinot Noirs. Reiat consistently surprises with robust, ruby-red wines.

In the upper part of the canton, wine-growing is centred on the steep vineyards on the Wolkenstein hills, descending to the Rhine between Stein am Rhein and Hemishofen. The vineyards cover 32 hectares and, unlike Klettgau, feature shallow, sandy-gravel soils. These lighter soils typically produce delicate yet refined wines, though they remain lesser-known outside the canton.

Over centuries, local vintners have crafted a unique cultural landscape. Today, a small number of producers cultivate the area, with many plots measuring less than a hectare. Most vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir and Riesling-Silvaner, alongside smaller amounts of specialty varieties like Muscaris and Räuschling.

The wine-growing villages of Buchberg and Rüdlingen are located in the southernmost part of the canton, surrounded by Germany and the Canton of Zurich. Buchberg is Schaffhausen’s fifth-largest wine-producing community. Together with Rüdlingen, this enclave cultivates 33 hectares of vineyards.

The soils are primarily composed of molasse sandstone and marl, and the proximity of the meandering Rhine creates a balanced, mild climate. Wines from this region are known for their richness and elegance.