Wollspinnerei Vetsch named as the winner of the Prix Montagne

Wollspinnerei Vetsch, a wool spinning mill based in Jenaz im Prättigau in the canton of Graubünden, has won the Prix Montagne 2023. The award, which comes with prize money of 40,000 Swiss francs, is presented annually by the association Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die Berggebiete and the non-profit organization Schweizer Berghilfe, which seeks to improve livelihoods and quality of life for Swiss people living in mountainous areas. With the Prix Montagne, the two organizations recognize projects that make an exemplary contribution to the generation of added value and job creation in mountainous regions, as well as the diversification of the local economy.

Wollspinnerei Vetsch was recognized for its end-to-end wool processing process. “Without Wollspinnerei Vetsch, many farms would simply see their unused wool go to waste”, as jury president Bernhard Russi explains in a press release issued by the Prix Montagne. “The spinning mill is an essential asset for the region and preserves a traditional craft - as such, it is a fully deserving winner.”

The family business was founded over 130 years ago and is currently under fourth-generation management by Jeannine and Christoph Vetsch. The company processes up to 15 tons of wool obtained from sheep, llamas and alpacas every year in accordance with specific customer instructions. The finished products are either returned to customers or sold in the factory’s own store.

Wollspinnerei Vetsch emerged victorious after beating off the competition from a total of 56 projects throughout Switzerland. “Since being nominated for the award, we have talked practically on a daily basis about whether we had a real chance of winning”, says Christoph Vetsch. “The fact that we are now able to bring this prize home is just totally crazy!”, he adds. ce/hs