Ticino Wines Collaboration | Frontaliere Ticino
Ticino Wines Collaboration — free tools and expert guides for cross-border workers (frontalieri) between Switzerland and Italy. Compare salaries, tax, LAMal health insurance, pensions, and cost of living in Ticino. Updated 2026.
Context
In 2024, wine consumption in Switzerland dropped by 8% compared to the previous year, a negative trend that prompted 12 Ticinese winemakers to come together in the 'Dodas' initiative (twelve in Ticinese dialect). The goal is to highlight the quality and diversity of Ticinese Merlot, the region's flagship grape variety. The winemakers have gathered in a crate 12 bottles of 2022 Merlot wine, a particularly challenging vintage due to the heat and drought that characterized the season. The diversity of soils and winemaking techniques gives rise to 12 different interpretations of the same grape variety, offering consumers a range of choices that reflect the peculiarities of the different production areas. For example, Merlot produced in the Arzo area, in the municipality of Mendrisio, has a more intense and structured aromatic profile thanks to the soils rich in limestone and the particular exposure of the vineyards. The 'Dodas' initiative is not just a response to the crisis in the sector, but also an opportunity for Ticinese producers to enhance their production and showcase the unique characteristics of their wine. The winemakers involved have invested time and resources in creating a high-quality product, following the regulations in force regarding wine production, such as the Federal Law on Viticulture and Winemaking of 1993, which sets the standards for wine production in Switzerland. > Ticinese winemakers are entitled to financial contributions per hectare of cultivated vineyard, as provided for by the Federal Council's ordinance of 2018, which allocates 6.4 million francs per year to support Swiss viticulture. For consumers, the 'Dodas' initiative represents an opportunity to discover the variety and complexity of Ticinese Merlot. The crate of 12 bottles offers a ra...
Operational details
The companies participating in the 'Dodas' initiative are all family-run and represent the Ticinese winemaking tradition. Gaby Gianini, one of the winemakers involved, emphasizes that 'the market is extremely uncertain and unstable, but it is precisely at this moment that we thought that the winemaker's profession is individualistic, but it was necessary to come together.' The initiative, which involves wine producers from different areas of Ticino, such as Contone and Magliasina, represents a concrete example of collaboration between family businesses. Giorgio Rossi, another winemaker, adds that the initiative stems from the desire to 'do something together with pleasure, with joy' and to represent the entire Ticinese territory. 'Dodas' is a project that brings together 10 Ticinese winemaking companies, which together produce over 100,000 bottles of wine per year. The initiative involves the creation of a unique wine, obtained by combining different grape varieties, such as Merlot and Bondola. The 'Dodas' initiative represents not only a marketing exercise but also a moment of sharing and strengthening the local winemaking community. The producers involved have worked together to define the characteristics of the wine, from the selection of grapes to the definition of packaging. For example, they have decided to use glass bottles produced by a local company and to adopt a label that represents the Ticinese territory. From a regulatory point of view, the companies participating in the 'Dodas' initiative must comply with the regulations in force regarding wine production, such as the Cantonal Law on Viticulture and Winemaking of 1995, which regulates wine production and marketing in Ticino. In addition, the companies must be in compliance with the provisions of the Europ...
Key points
'Dodas', Ticinese wines in collaboration For cross-border workers and wine enthusiasts, the 'Dodas' initiative represents an interesting opportunity to discover the diversity and quality of Ticinese Merlot. The initiative, which involves several wineries in the region, offers participants the chance to explore the various nuances of this wine, appreciated not only in Ticino but also beyond the border. If you are interested in learning more about investment and savings options related to the world of wine, you can use our salary calculator to assess your income and plan your expenses. > For example, a cross-border worker who works in Lugano and resides in Italy can benefit from a more favorable tax treatment compared to someone who resides in Ticino. Using our calculator, they can discover that they would save around 500 francs per month on taxes, a sum that could be invested in a local winery or used to purchase high-quality wines. Check your options now and find out how to optimize your budget. Cross-border workers who work in Ticino can take advantage of specific tax benefits, such as the deduction of transportation costs to reach their workplace. According to current regulations, as of 2022, cross-border workers can deduct up to a maximum of 7,000 francs per year for transportation costs. - For residents in Italy, the agreement between the two countries provides for the possibility of deducting medical and illness expenses, which can represent significant savings. - For example, a cross-border worker who spends 2,000 francs annually on medical expenses could see their taxable income reduced by that amount, resulting in tax savings of around 500 francs. 📊 Here is an operational checklist for cross-border workers interested in optimizing their budget: 1. Use our salar...