The Thurgau wine region

Table of contents

Viticulture in Thurgau: from classic table wine to fine wine

The canton of Thurgau, also known as "Mostindien" due to its apple production, has approximately 240 hectares of vineyards. The region’s winemaking history dates back to Roman times and was later promoted during the Middle Ages by monasteries such as the Carthusian monastery of Ittingen in the Lower Thur Valley.

Around 200 years ago, viticulture in the young canton of Thurgau covered more than 2,000 hectares, forming an almost continuous belt along the shores of Lake Constance and the Rhine, extending into the various valleys. Today, only a small fraction of this remains.

Thurgau’s mild and balanced climate owes much to the influence of Lake Constance and the Rhine. The region’s soils vary from sandy-clay with some limestone to deep moraine soils. The white wines are often aromatic, while the red wines, predominantly Pinot Noir, range from fruit-forward everyday wines to more structured barrel-aged offerings.

In 1882, Hermann Müller managed to produce a promising grape crossbreed. To distinguish it from other Müllers in the German-speaking world, it was named after his home canton, Thurgau. His creation—the "Müller-Thurgau", also known as Rivaner or Riesling-Sylvaner—became the most important grape variety in German-speaking Switzerland and is now cultivated in all 16 cantons in this region. The vineyards in the canton of Thurgau are divided into six wine regions.

Distribution of grape varieties

Quick facts about wine production in Thurgau.

Surface CH

61%

Red surface

(144 HA)

39%

White surface

(92 HA)

100%

Others, 236 HA

Map

AOC Thurgau

Seebachtal wine region

The Seebachtal in Thurgau lies between the hills of the Seerücken and the Thur Valley. The villages of Nussbaumen, Hüttwilen, Herdern and Dettighofen lie in this valley. Thanks to the three nearby lakes, the climate is balanced and favorable for viticulture. Approximately 35 hectares of vineyards are cultivated here, with the "Hüttwiler Stadtschryber" among the most renowned vineyard sites in Eastern Switzerland.

More information

Wines from the Lower Thur Valley

The Lower Thur Valley region spans approximately 110 hectares, making it the largest wine-growing area in Thurgau. The region includes the municipalities of Neunforn, Warth-Weiningen and Uesslingen, along with Dietingen and Iselisberg. Uesslingen is the largest wine-producing municipality in the entire canton.

The Untersee wine region

The Untersee wine region covers about 28 hectares and benefits from a mild and balanced climate. Despite some vineyards facing north or west, the wine-growing villages of Eschenz, Mammern, Steckborn, Berlingen, Salenstein (Arenenberg), Ermatingen and Tägerwilen produce fruity Müller-Thurgau wines, smooth Pinot Gris, and other white wines. The area also offers a broad range of popular red wines.

Wines from the Rhine region

Located in the north westernmost part of the canton, near the borders with Zurich and Schaffhausen, the Rhine wine region spans approximately 10 hectares. The winemakers of Diessenhofen, Basadingen and Schlattingen cultivate nearly the entire spectrum of grape varieties grown in Thurgau.

Lauchetal wine region

The Lauchetal stretches from the southern slopes of the Immenberg in Märwil to Matzingen. As the smallest production area in Thurgau, with about 10 hectares, it includes vineyards at Schloss Sonnenberg, Stettfurt, Kalthäusern, Weingarten, Steig-Weingarten and the Holderberg estate above Lüdem.

The Upper Thur Valley wine region

At the heart of the significant wine-growing region of the Upper Thur Valley, which spans approximately 70 hectares, are the vineyards of Weinfelden and Märstetten/Ottoberg. This is the origin of the term "Ottenberger," which refers to all the vineyards located on the Thurberg and Ottenberg. The Upper Thur Valley also includes smaller vineyard areas such as Schloss Hagenwil, Amlikon, Götighofen, Sulgen, Buchackern and Mauren.

Historical terms and documents suggest that the Romans may have introduced viticulture to the Ottenberg area. The first documented mention of winemaking dates back to 1570. A record from 1790 provides further details about 55 wine presses ("Torggel" or "Torkel," derived from the Latin term for wine press) that were in use throughout the Weinfelden wine region.