Du Cep à la Cime — An educational walk from the vineyards up the mountain

The commune of Chamoson and its villages stretch over 3,500 hectares containing  orchards, vineyards, chalets, mountain pastures and rocky formations lying between the Rhône River at an altitude of 480 metres and Grand Muveran, whose peak reaches 3,051 metres. A significant part of the commune’s history turns around continual fighting both against and for water: against the ravages of torrential waters and for channelled water to nourish the land and vines.

The fascinating history of this two-edged challenge is recounted along the Du Cep à la Cime educational trail, which also pays homage to the region’s natural beauty and to the people who shaped this magnificent landscape.

“A well-composed picture: a stone filigree atop the horizon overlooking mountain pastures formed by the steep crest of Haut-de Cry; a dale — almost a valley — filled from afar with the rough voice of the Losentze; a gently sloped hillside where villages are nestled between vineyards and a plain; and finally, the plain itself through which the Rhône River glides solemnly: in short, a well-composed picture and a landscape of great diversity.”

These words come from Edmond Giroud in his work entitled Chamoson aspects et problèmes d'une commune paysanne et vigneronne published in 1967.

It is true that Chamoson makes for a splendid sight when viewed from the banks of the Rhône. Lying close to the vineyards, the market gardens and orchards that occupy the region’s lower section are in sharp contrast with the harsh vertical surfaces of the peaks and bare rock faces of the immense Haut-de-Cry massif towering over the countryside below.

Next is the large dejection cone (one of the widest in Switzerland) on which the main villages of the commune — St-Pierre-de-Clages, Chamoson and Grugnay — are built and almost all the Chamoson vineyards are planted.

Go where the wine takes you

No, this is not a call to drunkenness, but rather an invitation to learn about a land overflowing with a wealth of surprises just waiting to be discovered along the Du Cep à la Cime educational trail that leads through the heart of the Chamoson terroir.

The trail features the Rhône Valley and the surrounding hillsides. For a long time, resorts higher up the mountain were the focus of promotional efforts, but in recent years Valais has recognized the tourism value of these lower regions.

Here, the educational trail explores the attractive features of the Rhône Valley hillsides and includes walks that are accessible to hikers and tourists all year round.

The vineyards, winegrowing and winemaking, and the men and women behind the region’s fine wines are at the heart of Chamoson’s educational trail.

In addition, the trail introduces Chamoson’s diverse landscape by exploring the region’s natural environment (plants, animals, geology, etc.) and the history of those who settled here. Culture is also addressed, for wine is a recurring symbol and poetic theme in a large number of literary and artistic works.

Another equally important objective of the trail is to promote wine by encouraging hiking, theme presentations and guided tours. To implement this plan, partnerships were established at the outset with key stakeholders, including winemakers and wine cellars, the Société de Développement, the Association pour la Valorisation du Terroir de Chamoson, the Commune and other organizations interested in promoting tourism and the economy of Chamoson.

The trail also forms part of the Route et Chemin du Vin project initiated by Valrando (a backpacking association in Valais) and Interprofession de la Vigne et du Vin. This project aims to promote winegrowing regions through panoramic routes that connect Martigny with Salquenen by foot, bicycle, automobile and train.

(WWW.CHAMOSON.CH)

Chamoson’s Wine Tasting Cellar

Chamoson, the leading wine-producing commune in Valais, invites wine connoisseurs to Caveau Chamosard, where they can taste a wide range of quality wines.

This commune-operated cellar offers the products of forty wineries and merchants selected and evaluated by the wine-tasting commission.

(www.chamoson.ch/caveau)