L’Essencier: the fields enriched by glaciers
The Swiss Alpine region of Valais, home to the Matterhorn and some of Switzerland’s largest glaciers, is also a center of alpine herb cultivation. Among those preserving this rich herbal heritage is third-generation farmer Guillaume Mayor, who combines generations of farming know-how with an innovative spirit.
The road to Guillaume Mayor’s farm in Icogne climbs deep into the mountains, narrowing with every turn. His herb fields are located 950 meters above sea level, surrounded by steep slopes yet rooted on small natural plateaus. “What looks like fertile soil had to be cleared of pebbles and stones to produce high-quality plants. Every square meter is precious to us,” explains Guillaume. A trained horticulturist and landscape gardener, he developed a passion for herbs at an early age. “I grew up among herb fields, so continuing the family tradition felt like a natural path.”
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Long-term partnership
The family tradition began in 1997, when Guillaume’s father decided to transform a small part of the farm. At the time, Ricola was seeking new herb farmers, creating an opportunity that benefited both parties. “Since then, our partnership has grown and prospered,” says Guillaume. “Ricola is a partner who cares. There is commitment, dialogue and a genuine interest in our work.” Today, Guillaume grows sage, plantain, lemon balm and two varieties of mint for Ricola on seven hectares of land.
Home of the glacier mint
Thousands of years ago, Valais was covered by vast glaciers. As the ice retreated, it left behind a landscape of moraines, whose well-drained, mineral-rich soils proved ideal for cultivating herbs such as “glacier mint”, a nickname given to peppermint that grows on the glacier moraine. These glacial deposits are often found on open slopes, where the plants benefit from abundant sunshine and cool mountain nights. "Here in Icogne, we have the perfect conditions for cultivating glacier mint," says Guillaume. The hardy herb, prized for its intense menthol flavor, is his favorite crop. "Only two farmers in Valais — and indeed in all of Switzerland — can provide the growing conditions that glacier mint requires. For me, it's a privilege to harvest this remarkable herb," he adds with a smile.
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Herbal goodness for everyday life
Guillaume is as much an entrepreneur as he is a herb farmer. “For centuries, herbs have brought the natural power of the mountains into everyday life in many different ways,” he says. “I wanted to explore some of those possibilities.” With this goal in mind, he founded the distillery L’Essencier in 2015. The company cultivates alpine medicinal and aromatic plants and transforms them into essential oils and other plant-based products. Using traditional steam distillation methods, it became the first distillery in Valais dedicated to medicinal and aromatic plants.
Family business is key
Despite expanding into new areas of business, Guillaume’s farm remains a family operation. “It’s essentially my wife and I who run things. During the harvest season, however, up to eleven people work on the farm,” says the father of two. His business is linked to the Valplantes farming cooperative, where farmers share infrastructure such as drying facilities and administrative services. This allows them to focus more efficiently on fieldwork. “This cooperative model gives us, as a family business, both freedom and security. I work for Ricola, while Valplantes handles the drying and transport,” he adds.
Quality rooted in nature
Partnerships and passion are essential to the success of alpine herb farming today. Guillaume also partners with Agroscope, the Swiss Federal Centre for Agricultural Research, to implement data-driven cultivation methods that support natural ecosystems. Pollination, for example, is enhanced by bees provided to the farm by a professional beekeeper. "In our tradition-oriented way of thinking, nature comes first. It's about more than just meeting Bio Suisse quality standards. As the climate changes, we need to adapt by working alongside nature. Here, soil and water are our most precious resources, and both are scarce. Caring for them is also part of the legacy passed down through generations."
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