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Dry stone walls: pillars of the vineyards and jewels of the Valais

Visit dry stone walls are much more than just buildings: they bear witness to an ancestral know-how that has shaped the exceptional landscape of the Valais vineyards. Built without mortar, using a meticulous combination of local stones, these walls have been supporting the vineyard terraces on the steep slopes of the Valais, enabling vines to thrive despite the challenges imposed by the terrain.


A technical feat in the service of viticulture

In the Valais, where the mountains dominate, every plot of land is precious. In order to cultivate vines on these slopes, ancient winegrowers adapted their methods by erecting dry stone walls to create terraces. These ingenious structures fulfil several essential roles:

  • Soil stabilization Walls hold back soil, preventing erosion and gullying, which are common in mountainous terrain.
  • Natural drainage : Thanks to their permeability, they regulate the flow of water, a key factor in ensuring balanced vine irrigation.
  • Heat accumulation The stones store the sun's heat during the day and release it at night, creating an ideal microclimate for ripening grapes.
  • Promoting biodiversity The interstices between the stones are home to a rich fauna and flora - insects, lizards, mosses and small plants - which contribute to the natural balance of the winegrowing ecosystem.

Without these walls, the magnificent terraced vineyards of the Valais, which give birth to exceptional wines, would not exist.


A cultural and historical heritage

The dry stone walls of the Valais are the fruit of the hard work and ingenuity of generations of winegrowers who have taken advantage of this demanding territory. Their construction, handed down from father to son, requires remarkable technical mastery and unique craftsmanship. This is what has earned this technique recognition in 2018 as UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage.

Beyond their practical function, these walls tell a story of their own. history It's the result of a collective effort to fertilize a hostile environment and produce wines of incomparable quality. They symbolize the very identity of the Valais vineyards, a subtle balance between tradition and innovation.


A symbol of wine and the Valais

Visit dry stone walls are not just an asset to the vineyards; they are a true symbol of the Valais. They embody the passion, effort and respect of a difficult but generous land. With every glass of wine we taste, we also savor a little of the tradition, landscape and history that are the pride of the Valais vineyards.


Preserving dry-stone walls is a way of promoting an exceptional terroir and honoring those who, for centuries, have sculpted the Valais to produce wines that are unique in the world.

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