The modern building serves as the headquarters for a vineyard of the same name, and as a venue which can be hired to host social events.

In 1076, as part of this quarrel, Pope Gregory VII excommunicated Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

The Emperor crossed the Alps by way of the Great St Bernard Pass to seek out the Pope at Canossa, where in January 1077 he did public penance and had his sentence of excommunication lifted.

[1] In 1531, the castle lent 10 cannons to the town of Vevey, to fire salutes upon the arrival and departure of the visiting Charles III, Duke of Savoy.

In 1798, the Vaudois rose up against their Bernese overlords; and, assisted by the French, threw them out, and established the Lemanic Republic.

A 1784 engraving by Jean-Benjamin de La Borde shows a building with a tall quadrangular central tower capped by a pyramidal roof.

Although that story does lend support to the idea of a long-standing close connection between castle and vineyard, it is untrue.

The tower was halved in height because vibration from the newly built Simplon railway threatened to bring the whole structure down.

The grape varieties include Chasselas (which is predominant), Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and (as an unusual speciality) Humagne Rouge.

As of 2018[update], Glérolles is the only place in Switzerland outside Valais which has the right to make wine from Humagne Rouge grapes.