Due to the pest phylloxera, Swiss vineyards shrank from 33,000 ha to 12,500. The 50th parallel is considered the northern limit for wine production. The altitude of the vineyards is about 980-2300ft. The wine regions of Switzerland need more than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year to be adequate for wine production. The vineyards also need steep slopes, which provide the special conditions of sunlight exposure.
Adequate rainfall is also necessary.
Valais, canton in Switzerland, is characterized by the microclimate Foehn, the presence hot wind. Some other regions are regulated by walls of rocks, which heat up the vineyards at night due to the accumulation of heat during the day. Still, others are regulated by water from lakes or rivers. The soil throughout Switzerland has a wide range of diversity. The pH value is between 5.5 and 6.5, making the soil acidic.