1903 Monthey

Obverse.

A beauteous Vigneron maiden of Valais stands amidst her flourishing vineyard, a vision of grace and strength, as she appraises her finest produce with a heart full of contentment and pride. The vines stretch forth endlessly, their lush green leaves shimmering in the sunlight, each laden with the exquisite harvest of Pinot Noir—the illustrious King of grapes. This splendid bounty is not merely the fruit of the earth, but rather the just reward for her unwavering dedication, her labour of love, and the collective toil of many skilled hands that have nurtured these vines through the changing seasons.

Her countenance glows with the warmth of the sun, reflecting the joy of the harvest, while she regards her grapes, each cluster a promise of the rich wine to come. These grapes, plump and vibrant, embody the very essence of her craft, cultivated with care and passion, a legacy that speaks to the heart of Valais.

To complement her beauty, a diaphanous headscarf of the finest silken threads—woven by the artisanal hands upon the celebrated looms of Monthey—graces her head. This delicate fabric, spun with meticulous artistry, drapes softly around her, concealing her luscious mane while adding an air of elegance to her appearance. The scarf flutters gently in the breeze, a symbol of her connection to the land and the traditions of her ancestors.

As she stands among the vines, the maiden embodies the spirit of the region, a custodian of its heritage and a herald of its future. In her gaze, one can see the promise of countless gatherings, the clinking of glasses filled with her fine wine, and the joyous celebrations that will follow the fruits of her labour. Thus, she is not merely a vigneron maiden; she is a proud guardian of Valais's rich viticultural legacy, a testament to the beauty of hard work, and a beacon of the harmonious relationship between nature and humankind.

Reverse.

This couplet blazon coat of emblems presents a striking representation of Monthey’s enduring spirit and the proud heritage of Valais. On one side, the emblem depicts a robust oak tree, its gnarled branches and deep roots symbolizing strength, resilience, and the deep connection of the community to its land. Opposite this, the emblem of Valais showcases the thirteen stars, each one representing the cantonal unity and the diverse communities that form the vibrant tapestry of the region. Together, these symbols are cradled lovingly by alpine roses, their petals bursting forth in full bloom, a victorious bouquet bestowed upon the champions of the local festivities. These roses, in their exquisite beauty, further enhance the significance of the emblems, embodying the triumph of nature and the spirit of celebration.

In the distance, the picturesque townscape of Monthey unfurls within the verdant valley of the Rhône, nestled gracefully beneath the towering majesty of the Pennine Alps. Here, the architecture stands as a testament to the town’s rich history, particularly the notable Notre-Dame de l'Immaculée-Conception. This grand edifice, with its unmistakable Sardinian neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque architectural heritage, boasts humble beginnings dating back to the year 1707. Following years of dedication and craftsmanship, its reconstruction was finally completed in 1855, giving rise to a structure that inspires awe in all who behold it.

From within its elegant bell-tower, the church bells toll with impressive distinction, their resonant chimes echoing across the valley. These melodic peals serve not only to mark the passage of time but also to remind the townsfolk of their shared history and collective identity. Each toll carries with it the weight of tradition and the promise of community, uniting the citizens of Monthey as they gather to celebrate their achievements and honor their cultural heritage. Thus, the scene before us is one of both beauty and significance, intertwining the natural splendor of the alpine landscape with the rich historical narrative of the town and its people.

Background.

Wine Growing in Canton of Valais

Valais is the largest wine region in Switzerland, and is responsible for almost half of the nation's total wine production. Located in the mountainous south-western corner of this small country, the main vineyard area of Valais runs east-north-east for 30 miles (50km) from Martigny to just beyond Sierre.

The vines here are owned and tended by an impressive number of independent vignerons – more than 20,000 – most of whom sell their grapes under contract or group together as co-operatives. A growing number of are now making and marketing their own wines, reflecting the forward-looking attitude of the Swiss wine trade and its increasingly commercial, export-driven focus.

Pinot Noir is king here and Valais-based plantings of the grape outnumber those of every other red variety in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Vertiginous alpine topography also gives the vines in Valais the advantage of emphasized vineyard orientation and many are planted on steep gradients of up to 90% (42 degrees). This steepness, although making it markedly harder to manage and harvest the vines, brings the significant benefits of excellent drainage and increased exposure to sunlight. In one particular valley just south of Visp, the village of Visperterminen perches on the edge of some extremely steep, west-facing slopes. At around 4750ft (1150m) these are some of the highest vineyards in Europe, although they are topped by those located just the other side of the Matterhorn in the Aosta Valley.

Of all largest wine makers this region, most Olden Helvetic lands Valais holds most ancient. Evidence, since of first ceramic bottle found true, with inscription that wine it did for once contained, laid since 2nd century in a Celtic lady's burial tomb of that period.

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Monthey

The Church contains one of the most impressive Valaisan ringtones: seven bells in casted by Ruetschi of Aarau in 1895. Neoclassical Sardinian church flanked by an older bell tower, the first parish church was built in this same place in 1707. In poor condition and becoming too small, it was demolished around 1850. The elegant bell tower was fortunately preserved. The current church was consecrated in 1855, under the name of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, whose dogma had been proclaimed by Pius IX in 1854. It was Emile Vuilloud, architect at Monthey, who drew the shots of this cross-basilical edifice, set in a rectangle. The presence of the Sardinian neoclassical church was a trend popular in Valais and Savoy before the appearance of neo-medieval styles such as neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque.

In honour of the proud heritage of Valais winegrowing over the centuries, and of the independent Vignerons who tend to these famed alpine vineyards.