The Tracasset
Lavaux’s Lovable Wine Cart With a Cult Following
image credit: Tracassets.ch, Edition 2022
The Cult Classic You’ve Never Heard of—Until Now
You’ve heard of Swiss watches, Swiss trains, maybe even Swiss cheese—but have you met the tracasset?
This quirky, three-wheeled wonder is part vineyard workhorse, part cultural mascot. In the steep terraces of Lavaux, the tracasset holds near-celebrity status. Locals dote on it like it’s a vintage Vespa or a loyal sheepdog—and once you’ve seen one zipping up a hillside with a crate of Chasselas in tow, you’ll understand why.
Born in the Vines: A Wine Cart Made for Terraces
The tracasset didn’t roll off some factory line. It was built out of necessity and local ingenuity.
Back in the 1950s, Henri Martin—a mechanic from the village of Perroy—dreamed up this motorised tricycle to help winemakers navigate Lavaux’s vertigo-inducing slopes. Picture handlebars up front, a sturdy rear axle, and a frame narrow enough to snake between vineyard rows without disturbing a single vine. Brilliant.
In a region where tradition and terrain go hand in hand, the tracasset became more than just a vineyard vehicle—it became a local legend.
From Practical to Cult Classic
What began as a tool for hauling tools and grapes soon took on a life of its own. Over the years, tracassets have inspired songs, stories, and even side projects for mechanical tinkerers who know their way around a weld and a bottle of Pinot Noir.
While it’s not the reason Lavaux earned its UNESCO World Heritage status, the tracasset is a living emblem of how humans have adapted to this steep, sun-drenched landscape—and done so with a healthy dose of flair.
image credit: tracassets.ch
World Championship of Tracassets: Part Race, Part Rolling Art Show
Yes, it exists. Every two years in the wine village of Épesses, the World Championship of Tracassets brings the village streets to life. What began as a rally in 1956 has evolved into a full-blown celebration of community, creativity, and wine-fueled whimsy.
Participants don’t just race—oh no. They decorate their machines. We’re talking wine barrel rockets, flying pigs, full-on vineyard cosplay. Then they race, parade-style, through the cobbled lanes of Épesses while locals cheer and toast with glasses of the good stuff.
It’s not just a good time—it’s a reminder that Swiss wine culture is as vibrant as the people who carry it forward (sometimes literally).
The event is more than a laugh. It’s a love letter to community, creativity, and the enduring charm of this little machine that could.
Why We Love It: Tradition, Community, and Chasselas
In a world obsessed with automation and AI, the tracasset is beautifully analog. It’s not fast. It’s not sleek. But it’s resourceful, proudly local, and very much alive.
It tells the story of a wine region that honours tradition without taking itself too seriously. It reminds us that sometimes the best way to carry a crate of grapes is also the most charming.
And like everything we love about Lavaux—it’s powered by patience, community, and probably a splash of Chasselas.
Want to see one in action?
Time your visit with the next Tracasset World Championship in Épesses, or better yet—join one of our guided Lavaux wine tours, where you just might spot one buzzing between the vines.
And if you’re lucky? You might even get to ride shotgun.
Discover our Lavaux Wine Tours
For More Tracasset Tales (And a Few Laughs):
If this quirky wine cart piqued your curiosity, here are a few more resources worth exploring:
- [Le Tracasset: Un engin 100% vaudois (RTS)]
A feature from Fête des Vignerons on the origins and love for this local invention.
Watch on RTS - [Les Tracassets en course (RTS)]
Footage of the Tracasset championship in full swing—costumes, chaos, and Swiss spirit.
Watch on RTS - [À toute berzingue! Tracassets et amitié (RTS)]
A heartwarming look at the community around the tracasset from Passe-moi les jumelles.
Watch on RTS - [Tracasset Championship on YouTube]
Short and sweet coverage of the race action in Épesses.
Watch on YouTube