The Swiss Company — The Miracle of the Grapes

In 1861, a group of Swiss converts was called to the Cotton Mission and settled in Santa Clara. They arrived in a state of extreme poverty and faced immediate starvation due to the harsh desert conditions and the failure of initial crops. However, they brought with them specialized knowledge of viticulture and a deep faith in their calling. Against the odds of the alkali soil and intense heat, their vineyards flourished remarkably. This 'sustained support' provided the colony with a surplus of grapes and wine that could be traded for flour and supplies from northern Utah settlements, effectively saving the Santa Clara mission from abandonment and ensuring the survival of the Swiss Saints.