Europe’s highest vineyard

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This very steep vineyard produces the Heida white wine. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

Harvesting the grapes when the sky is blue is all the more fun. (RDB) RDB

Europe's "highest vineyard" is not only situated at a high altitude, but is dizzyingly steep as well. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

Working in the vineyard is exhausting, but fun as well. (RDB) RDB

A named vinestock: Ruedi Maurer from Zetzwil is a member of the Heida guild. (© Jean-Michel Berthoud, swissinfo.ch) swissinfo.ch

The narrow terraces stretch from the banks of the Vispa at 660 meters up to a height of more than 1100 m(© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

Exhausting work in "Europe's highest vineyard". (RDB) RDB

Thanks to its south facing position in the driest part of Switzerland and its dry stone walls, the the vineyard stores the autumn heat which helps the grapes ripen. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

Another named vinestock: Charlotte Von Graffen of Bern belongs to the Heida guild. (© Jean-Michel Berthoud, swissinfo.ch) swissinfo.ch

Pirmin Heinzmann, of the St. Jodern cellar, in front of the Heida guild hut at the top of the vineyard. (© Jean-Michel Berthoud, swissinfo.ch) swissinfo.ch

The proud inscription on the door of the Heida guild hut. (© Jean-Michel Berthoud, swissinfo.ch) swissinfo.ch

Anyone working in this vineyard needs a head for heights. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

Before (l) and after the vineyards were cleared and restored. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

A well-earned rest in the vineyard. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

From the derelict (l) vineyard to the living one. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

Crushing the grapes in the wine press. (RDB) RDB

The Visperterminen vineyard has plenty of history behind it. (© Roland Zimmermann/Peter Salzmann) © Roland Zimmermann und Peter Salzmann

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Heida white wine grows in Europe's highest vineyard in canton Valais.

The village of Visperterminen is famous all over the world for its vineyards planted between 650 and 1150 meters above sea level. The narrow terraces with their dry stone walls rise 500 m in a very short space. The Heida grapes are known as the “pearl of alpine wines”.