The Mathiers arrived in Salgesch in 1387. Originally from Marseille, they made their way to Valais via Grenoble, driven by poverty and the prospect of earning money abroad as soldiers. The Mathiers applied for military service in Valais. After a stay in the canton, they decided not to return to their homeland and settled in Salgesch. They soon discovered that Salgesch was extremely well suited to winegrowing, and that a good glass of wine made for better living than heading off to war.