HISTORY
View through old vines to the Chapel of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows - Salgesch
Cave Biber - More than half a century of good taste
The story begins in 1971, when René Mathier, after years of traveling, decided to found his own winery in Salgesch and bottled his first Pinot Noir. Over time, he bought new vines, as he could not survive on the inheritance he shared with three brothers. He was one of the pioneers of viticulture in his homeland, for good wine begins in the vineyard, a fact he recognized early on. He stood for excellent Burgundy. Growing Burgundy was still quite possible at this location in the early years. He soon reached over 5 hectares. In 1988, on November 11, he harvested his Martini wine from his popular and proven Burgundy clones, which he nurtured meticulously. From then on, he called his label Sankt Martin. In the meantime, renamed Cave engloutie in 1997, René Mathier won his first international gold medal at the Mundus Vini with his Pinot Noir Spätlese 2000. At this time, Jürg Biber came onto the scene of this winery. His long-held dream of owning his own business was fulfilled, and the previous owner was delighted with the successful succession.
Jürg Biber recognized the problems of climate change early on and switched to late-ripening varieties, which were then exotic in this region, such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. These also brought him popularity, and the high quality of the wines earned him respect and enthusiasm from customers. Successful years passed, and due to the lack of a direct solution within the family, Jürg Biber sought a successor with friends. Bernd Reichert made this possible, ensuring the continued existence of Cave Biber with his dedication and passion for the high quality of his vines and wine.
In 2022, Cave Biber, for the first time in a newly founded public limited company, will consist of several people whose interdisciplinary expertise ensures that Jürg Biber can scale back while maintaining quality. Remo Meyer, viticultural and cellar master, is the new man at the forefront. He is supported by a well-coordinated team. Jasmine Fryand, with the company since 2017, is also part of the quality assurance team. For his outstanding achievements, Jürg Biber has been named honorary president of the company. In addition to President Bernd Reichert, Ursula Brunner, Michel Duc, and Robert Zurbriggen cover the other specialist areas. 
After the Second World War, Salgesch developed from a farming village into a modern wine-growing community. Over 200 hectares of vineyards and over 40 wineries characterize the community. Numerous new residential developments were built outside the old village center in the second half of the 20th century, some in the heart of the vineyards.
The Pfynwald forest not only serves as a local recreation area for Salgesch and other surrounding communities, but is also one of the best-preserved natural and cultural landscapes in Switzerland. This protected area offers a variety of diverse and rare habitats for various animal and plant species, for which it is valued nationwide.
The municipal coat of arms consists of a white cross of the Knights of St. John on a black background. In 1235, the Knights of St. John settled in the village and built a hostel for pilgrims and travelers. In 1655, Kaspar Stockalper purchased the commandery and its associated hospice on the Simplon Pass.