Through networking for Know-it-all passport® during these last decades, you come across a lot of people that leave an impression. Two of those people are Simon Hardy and Marc Checkley! When we found out they had collaborated on a Swiss wine guide — Switzerland: The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide — we had to check it out. Here is a background and more about the new book, released recently and with hard copies now on sale in Switzerland.
What is your background?
Simon: I’m a British/Swiss dual national now based in London where I organise the annual Swiss Wine Week London for Swiss Wine Promotion. I also founded the consultancy, Fitting Wines, and repesent Switzerland at The Old Vine Conference. When Marc arrived in Switzerland he was introduced to me through a common friend. We ended up organising some tasting events pairing wines and cheeses and also whiskies and cheeses. Over the years we would bounce ideas off one another and generally give each other encouragement in our respective wine and food ventures. We had many ideas in play but did not necessary see a book as part of our collaborations.
Marc: I am from New Zealand originally and moved to Lausanne from Singapore with my husband in late 2016. I had been working as a broadcast journalist and television development producer/host for most of my career but wanted to explore new opportunities and projects when we arrived here. One of them being wine and its many stories! It brings together culture, history, geography, religion and of course conviviality. As an innate Storyteller, the world of wine is a gold mine. And meeting Simon opened new doors and also gave me ideas and networks to develop. It has been a fruitful and supportive friendship.
What has been the inspiration?
Simon: When I was still living in Switzerland I wrote a free e-book on Swiss wines for clients at Fitting Wines; a few years later this short e-book was spotted online by the publisher at Académie du Vin Library in London. She had just launched a new series of Smart Traveller’s Wine Guides - pocket guides for the those who love or a curious about wine and where to experience it. There is a standard format to each book which is split fairly evenly between wine content and travel content. I immediately thought of Marc as he had been writing and presenting a food and wine series for GaultMillau in Switzerland, allowing him to meet many winemakers and travel to the various regions regularly. We met up in September 2024 over dinner, Marc loved the idea. We quickly agreed that we would work together on this project and make it happen.
Marc: We are both drawn to Switzerland’s wine stories but have been struck that there are relatively few books (in any language) telling this story with practical tips of where to go, where to eat and stay etc. Rich in detail but accessible and with glorious photos to inspire the imagination. As “outsiders" with different perspectives, we sensed we may be better placed to appreciate everything the country has to offer in terms of wine, food and hospitality and to help others do so too. We worked on it for nearly 12 months.
Marc leading guests in Lavaux
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Simon: The guide is the sixth in this travel series but is the first “country guide”. It had to be tackled differently than the books on Rioja or Napa for example. But we mananged to combine our knowledge and connections to craft a book that really represents Switzerland, its varied locations and its wines.
Marc: The biggest challenge was making sure we represented all of Switzerland’s wine regions equally and in-depth. Not just the large winemakers but the ones making exceptional and memorable wines across the six official regions. We don’t know every winemaker, bar or restaurant of course, but it was pleasing to get recommendations from our winemaker friends and others in the community, who aided our research and writing. We wanted this book to represent not only Switzerland as a wine travel destination but one of personal stories and experiences. To be authentic, practical and intriguing.
Simon and Marc with star winemaker Gilles Besse
What is your favorite chapter/section in the guide and why?
Simon: The guide includes a list of 18 of the best wines in Switzerland and also a section on the best wine shops to find them. It makes for a great gift for anyone who is curious to discover Swiss wines but doesn’t know where to start. We wrote a lot and hope to release more information and stories on other platforms such as Club Oenologique, the publisher’s partner wine and travel site in the coming months.
Marc: It was a work of passion and tenacity and we have favourites in every section. But one of our most memorable and rewarding chapters was designing and writing the various Wine Routes. Each wine region is explored by train, by foot, by car, or by bike. A treasue trove of experiences for tourists and locals. But as always, plan ahead as wineries aren’t always open to receive guests anyday of the week. Also in the "Wine estates to visit" section, we reference the closest train stations to each address, giving readers a sustainable way to travel and explore. A first for this series.
What readers are saying
"It’s a pleasure to read — not only because of its depth, but because it captures the feel of each place, each wine, each story: what to drink and where to experience it. I often say that Swiss wine does not exist. Not because it isn’t real, but because it’s so diverse that it defies easy definition. Diversity doesn’t create identity — but it does arouse curiosity. The book taps into this idea beautifully.” Dr. José Vouillamoz
Simon and Marc, along with the Office of Vins Vaudois and VaudVins.ch who was a key supporter of the book, have kindly offered one of our readers the chance to win a hard copy of Switzerland: The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide (value around CHF 20.-) for delivery to an address in Switzerland.
To enter the competition, just fill in this form and answer this multiple choice question: How many wines are listed in "Some of the best wines in Switzerland” section?
Only one entry per person and per email is allowed. The competition closes at midnight on Thursday, 6 November 2025. The names of all those submitting correct answers will be placed into the digital hat and the winner’s name drawn at random on Friday, 7 November 2025. No cash equivalent of prizes is permitted. The winner will be notified by email.
Switzerland: The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide (softcover)
by SIMON HARDY and MARC CHECKLEY
208 pages
Dimensions: 115mm x 178mm
ISBN 978-1-917084-69-7
CHF 20.- to CHF 27.-
Published by Academie du Vin Library, UK. Available globally.
The book is available at Académie du Vin Library Ltd, Orel Füssli, Amazon.de, Ex Libris, and other select bookstores in Switzerland such as Payot.
