Swiss Government’s Wine Cellar Revealed: A Taste of Cantonal Pride
Bern, Switzerland – For the first time, the full inventory of the Swiss Federal Council’s wine cellar has been made public, offering a glimpse into the preferences of the nation’s leaders and a festivity of Swiss terroir. The list, obtained by RTS, details 63 wines currently stocked as of August 1, 2025.
The cellar, holding up to 2000 bottles, reflects a tradition of serving wines from the cantons of origin of the Federal Advisers. “The preferences of federal advisers can be found hear, in the cellar. They like to serve a wine from their canton of origin, even if it is not generalized. The cellar is a reflection of the fluctuation of the Swiss government,” explained Jacques Chapatte, attendant for facts for the federal chancellery, in a recent RTS broadcast.
The annual budget for the cellar is approximately 70,000 francs, with 25% allocated to beer and mineral water. While the selection is considered successful in promoting Swiss wine, according to Antoine Sicard, Best Sommelier in Switzerland 2023, “we could drink better still.” Sicard, of the Wenger house in Noblemont, suggests the cellar could further showcase the diversity of Swiss wines by including lesser-known indigenous grape varieties. He acknowledges,however,the budgetary constraints,noting that acquiring prestigious Swiss bottles for under 35 francs is challenging.
A complete list of the wines is available here: https://www.rts.ch/articles/2025/document/28997442.html
