From CHF 2,300
Package Overview
Step into a storybook and experience the soul of Switzerland through flavor, craftsmanship, and alpine beauty. Alpine Grapes & Golden Milk is a private, all-inclusive day tour designed for travelers who crave authenticity, exclusivity, and unforgettable moments. This nine-hour round trip from Zurich blends alpine cheese traditions, boutique wine estates, and the finest contemporary dining, all without crowds, buses, or clichés.
The day begins with a scenic drive through emerald valleys and lake country, where rolling pastures give way to alpine peaks. Your first stop is in the hills above Charmey, where a family-run cellar guards wheels of Gruyère d’Alpage maturing on cool stone shelves. The air carries a nutty-sweet aroma as you join the affineur for a private vertical tasting, sampling cheeses aged 6, 12, and 18 months, paired with rustic bread, local cider, honey, and dried fruit. It is a rare glimpse into a centuries-old craft, shared in an intimate, authentic setting.
From there, the road climbs the dramatic Jaun Pass. Waterfalls tumble beside the switchbacks, meadows flash with wildflowers, and the horizon opens to sweeping alpine vistas. This is Switzerland in motion, unfiltered and cinematic. Descending into the Rhine Valley, you arrive at Weingut Gonzen, a boutique vineyard where Swiss wines are crafted in limited quantities. In the company of the winemaker, you enjoy a private tasting of reserve vintages, paired with charcuterie and fresh breads, followed by a barrel sample in the historic cellar. Bottles can be signed for those who wish to carry a memory home.
By midday, it is time for a showpiece of the journey, lunch at Restaurant Magdalena in Ricken, a two-Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant ranked among Switzerland’s finest. Here, artistry and alpine produce meet in a nine-course tasting menu, each plate a work of culinary imagination. Paired with biodynamic wines, it is an unforgettable gastronomic performance set against panoramic valley views. Dining at Magdalena is more than a meal, it is a destination in itself.
In the afternoon, the journey slows in the storybook village of Appenzell. Painted chalets line cobbled streets, shops offer handmade chocolates and herbal schnapps, and each corner reveals a detail of local artistry. Guests may wander, taste, and explore at leisure. For those who wish, a gourmet basket of wine, cheese, and chocolate from the day’s stops can be pre-ordered, waiting in the vehicle as a final gift.
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Alpine Grapes & Golden Milk, Full-Day Private Tour from Zurich
A journey through flavor, craftsmanship, and alpine beauty, where every moment feels authentically Swiss.
08:00 – Pickup in Zurich (hotel or arranged location) Begin your day in comfort as your private luxury vehicle arrives at your hotel or arranged meeting point. Enjoy a warm welcome, fresh coffee, and bottled water on board as you leave the city behind. The drive east unfolds through shimmering lakes and alpine foothills, a taste of the landscapes to come.
09:30 – Guided visit & tasting at a traditional alpine cheese cellar in Charmey (Gruyère d’Alpage) Step into the cool, fragrant air of a family-run cheese cellar nestled above Charmey. Surrounded by wheels of Gruyère d’Alpage maturing on wooden shelves, you’ll join the affineur for a guided tasting of cheeses aged 6, 12, and 18 months. Each bite tells a story of the mountain pastures, the craftsmanship, and the seasons that shaped it. Rustic bread, honey, and local cider complete this rare glimpse into a centuries-old tradition.
11:00 – Scenic drive over the Jaun Pass with photo stops Continue your journey through the high alpine road of the Jaun Pass, a route that feels lifted from a travel dream. Waterfalls tumble beside the switchbacks, meadows flash with wildflowers, and the air turns bright and clear. Your driver pauses at scenic overlooks so you can capture Switzerland at its most cinematic.
12:00 – Lunch at your choice of: alpine inn, vineyard bistro, or fine dining restaurant (included) Choose the experience that suits your mood, the rustic warmth of an alpine inn, a vineyard bistro overlooking the vines, or a refined Michelin-level setting where every plate is a work of art. Wherever you dine, local ingredients, exceptional wines, and spectacular views create a lunch that lingers in memory.
13:30 – Private vineyard tour & wine tasting in Sargans (optional barrel room upgrade available) Arrive at Weingut Gonzen, a boutique vineyard nestled beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Gonzen mountain. Meet the winemaker for an intimate tasting of Swiss wines that rarely leave the country. Sample reserve vintages, learn about alpine viticulture, and, if you wish, descend into the barrel room for a private sampling drawn straight from the cask.
15:00 – Explore Appenzell: painted facades, chocolate & schnapps tasting, free time for shops. Your afternoon unfolds in the heart of Appenzell, where each building is a piece of folk art and every street corner holds a surprise. Stroll cobbled lanes lined with painted chalets, visit artisanal chocolate and schnapps shops, discover the craftsmanship that defines this beloved Swiss village.
17:00 – Return drive to Zurich Settle back in your private vehicle as the sun softens across the alpine valleys. The route home traces through serene countryside, winding past lakes and meadows aglow in the golden hour.
17:30 – Drop-off in Zurich Arrive back at your hotel or preferred location in Zurich relaxed, fulfilled, and carrying a few treasures from your alpine journey, the perfect close to a day steeped in flavor, tradition, and quiet luxury.
Alpine Grapes & Golden Milk
