The Pot Vaudois:
A bottle with a story to pour
Three sizes of the Pot Vaudois of Calamin (Chasselas) from Domaine Croix Duplex in Grandvaux, Lavaux.
You pour a glass of Chasselas. But before the wine hits the rim, the bottle has already told you something: this wine comes from Vaud. Not from anywhere else.
The Pot Vaudois isn’t just a container. It’s a piece of wine history. It’s shape, weight, and presence all point to a very specific story—and that story is finally being poured again.
A bottle shaped by time
Back in 1822, the canton of Vaud put its wine measures into law:
- Pot — 1.4L
- Demi-Pot — 0.7L (a standard size of a bottle of wine in the canton of Vaud)
- Picholette — 0.35L
It was more than legislation. These were visual, tactile cues that told drinkers what they were being served. And for over half a century, the bottles that held Vaud’s wines kept their form.
But then came standardisation. Industrial glassmaking. And the litre. The old shapes disappeared. Vaud’s bottles were replaced with efficient ones—less character, more conformity.
Fast-forward to today: the Pot Vaudois is back
Thanks to the team at the Musée Vaudois de la Vigne et du Vin in Aigle, original bottle forms from the 1800s were preserved, studied, and finally revived. The Pot was first reintroduced in 1998. Now the Demi-Pot and Picholette are available too.
These aren’t nostalgic replicas. They’re made to be used. By real winemakers. For real wine. Right here in Vaud.
Why shape still matters
There’s something about pouring from a Pot Vaudois that changes the experience. It’s heavier. It’s generous. It demands to be noticed.
The truth is, Vaud wines are often under-the-radar—even within Switzerland. And part of that is visual. When every bottle looks the same, how do you tell a story without words?
The Pot Vaudois is that story. Its design is an identity. Its glass is geography.
This isn’t a free-for-all. Only wines that meet strict standards can be bottled in these forms:
- Must be AOC Vaudois
- Must be vintage wines
- Must be bottled in the canton of Vaud
There’s a kind of integrity in that. It keeps the bottle tied to its origins. It means something.
Where to see one, taste one, take one home
You’ll find these bottles in tasting rooms around Lavaux, or at the Musée Vaudois itself. (And if you’re like us, you’ll want to pick one up and run your hands along the glass before you even ask what’s inside.)
This isn’t about marketing. It’s not about standing out on a shelf. The return of the Pot Vaudois is something quieter, something more rooted.
It’s about remembering that wine isn’t just what we drink—it’s how we share it.
And sometimes, a bottle really can say where it comes from. Without saying a word.
Want to see the pot in action?
Come explore Lavaux with me. We’ll walk through the terraced vineyards, meet the winemakers who still bottle in the old ways, and yes—pour from a Pot Vaudois or two.
It’s a tasting, a history lesson, and a local experience all in one. Because wine always tastes better when you know where—and how—it’s been made.
Join a wine tour in Lavaux
Experiences to savour
What did our guests love about us! Read their reviews!
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My husband and I booked the wine tour in lavaux for our honeymoon and it was absolutely amazing! It is a great way to spend the day hiking through the... read more
Amanda Page
My husband and I booked the wine tour in lavaux for our honeymoon and it was absolutely amazing! It is a great way to spend the day hiking through the... read more
Amanda Page
My wife and I booked a wine tour with EdibleSwitzerland as part of our 20th wedding anniversary celebrations, and while January is unfortunately out of season for hosted tours, what... read more
Steven Burns
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Great wine tasting and walking tour of Laveau. Jen was excellent at arranging special tastings at three stops (we met the wine makers and leaders at each), and the... read more
Julie Quinn
We had a wonderful afternoon with Jen. Her picnic was picture perfect and the wineries she took us to were fantastic! We loved our time in Lavaux!
kristi mccluskey
My husband and I had an amazing time on our wine tour of the Lavaux region! We started around 10am and walked to our first tasting of 3 wines. They... read more
Kristin Heil
About your guide: Jen Burke
Travel & experience designer, editor, foodie, digital professional
Mother of two boys, #SEOnerd, foodie, traveller. Fun fact: I grew up at Mile 906.8 Alaska Highway, Yukon, Canada.
I love food & wine & being outdoors. Edible Switzerland is my passion project. Here I want to connect food lovers (locals and tourists) to the best resources we can find anywhere in Switzerland.
When I’m not working on Edible Switzerland or moderating the Foodies in Switzerland group or the #SwisswineLovers group, I have a digital concierge agency with a few clients all over the world.
