History

In the Middle Ages, water power was harnessed from the Forestay waterfalls. Four mills were established between Chexbres and Lake Geneva. The mill on this site belongs to the nearby Château de Gérolles estate, built in the 12th century.

1420 1st written mention of the existence of the mill at the foot of the waterfall. The mill was owned by a succession of successive owners until the early 20th century.

In 1917, the cooperative societies of Lausanne and Vevey acquired the mill under the name of "Minoterie coopérative du Léman à Rivaz" (MCL). From then on, a period of successive development and expansion profoundly altered the appearance of the site, with the construction of large silos, the demolition of the Roman bridge and the building of a road linking the mill to the Rivaz railway station.

1970 MCL becomes "Minoterie Coop Rivaz" (MCR). Reaching its limits at the foot of the waterfall, new facilities are built in Puidoux (from 1975).

1998 association with Stadtmühle CMZ Zürich under the name Swissmill SA.

2001 abandonment of the Rivaz site. For the Rivaz mills, this marked the end of half a millennium of uninterrupted industrial activity.

2002 redevelopment of the site is envisaged after the Fondation des Moulins de Rivaz buys it back.

2004-2010 demolition of silos and buildings, followed by redevelopment of the site

2010 Opening of LAVAUX VINORAMA (in May)

VIGNERONS-ENCAVEURS, THE ARTISANS OF WINE
For centuries, families of winegrowers and winemakers have shaped the Lavaux landscape. Day after day, these wine craftsmen work to ensure the quality of the products on display. At Vinorama, you'll find the widest range of Lavaux wines.

VARIETALS AND TERROIRS, THE IDENTITY OF WINE
The same grape variety develops characteristics linked to the nature of the soil in which it takes root. Take a look at the composition of the soils in the 8 production sites, thanks to our geolith exhibition. Geolith creation: H. Detomasi. The main grape varieties grown in Lavaux are planted in the immediate vicinity of the south parking lot.