Geneva to pay wine growers not to grow

Friday, 27 March 2026 06:30

Authorities in Geneva are proposing a new support scheme for struggling winegrowers, aimed at preserving vineyards without forcing production.

The State Council of Geneva plans to offer CHF 18,000 per hectare each year to maintain vines, even if no grapes are harvested.

The proposal comes as an alternative to uprooting vines amid a broader crisis in local winegrowing.

To fund the plan, the government is requesting an additional CHF 2.3m francs for this year on top of existing support measures.

Officials say the goal is to safeguard Geneva’s wine-growing landscape while giving producers time to adapt.

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