Tour leader: Christian Carron

We will travel by train from Interlaken to Châteauneuf/Sion in Valais.  The Valais is a canton in southern Switzerland, home to the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn. We will get to know mountain pastures with milk and cheese production, first-class vineyards and fruit cultivation in the Rhone Valley. At the agricultural school we will receive information on agriculture in the Valais.

Then we will visit the Domaine des Grandes Îles, Vétroz tour of the farm, information on the Arbophytored program. The ArboPhytoRed project examines solutions to reduce the negative impact of the use of phytosanitary products on natural resources in Valais fruit growing. This is a program run by IFELV and the State of Valais, co-financed by OFAG and developed in collaboration with Agroscope, with the participation of local farmers. 

Bus transfer to the agricultural college of the Valais for lunch. 

Bus to Salquenen and visit to the Leukersonne winery, the Swiss Winery of the Year 2023. Tradition, quality and passion have been the guiding principles of the house from the very beginning. For years, the wines have consistently and successfully established themselves at the top of the international wine competition scene. The family business impresses above all with its consistent quality, combined with a great deal of passion and down-to-earth attitude. En route, explanation of the challenges facing 21st-century viticulture (vineyards, grape varieties, promotion). 

Visit of the  Moosalp + update on the learnings of the management of mountain pasture. On the way, we'll explain the challenges of animal production in the dairy and meat sectors. Moosalp provides an insight into the workings of an alpine pasture under real-life conditions, with a herd of over 100 cows, notably of the Hérens breed, as well as cheese-making. You can also taste the famous raclette (150 years old this year!).

Dinner on the mountain pasture (raclette) and return to Interlaken by bus and train.