Les Crêtes’ History: Originally from France, the Charrère family moved in the mid 1700s to what is now the Aosta Valley of Italy. In 1955 the Charrères planted their first two hectares of grapes, focusing on making quality wines out of the indigenous vinifera varieties grown in the Aosta Valley. In 1989 the Charrères enlarged the original estate and built the Les Crêtes winery. 

With 25 hectares (62 acres) of grapes dedicated to wine production, Les Crêtes is the largest privately held vineyard and winery operation in the Aosta Valley. The Aosta Valley, is Italy’s smallest and least populated region. It is an alpine valley with grape growing conditions typically associated with mountain elevations. 
Les Crêtes vineyards are planted in both indigenous vinifera varieties (Petite Arvine, Petit Rouge, Fumin, Mayolet, Cornalin), as well as the more traditional vinifera varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Muscat) which are also well adapted to the region’s climate and soil conditions.

The soils that have developed over the centuries on the glacial morain hillsides around Aymaville are composed of a mixture of sand and calcareous rocks. Les Crêtes vineyards are located at relatively high mountain elevations (600 to 1,000 m. /1,970 to 3,280 ft.), and due to the high elevation climatic conditions, the harvests at Les Crêtes often begin in late autumn. This gives the grapes time to ripen while exposed to a wide variation in day and night temperatures, a natural process which adds to the unique aromatic character and flavour profile of the resulting wines.

Les Crête’s Winemaking: Les Crêtes produces about 230,000 bottles annually (19,200 cases). The winery, the heart of the estate, is located in the scenic Aymavilles area of the Aosta Valley. Visitors to the winery can view the 16th Century Côteau la Tour tower which stands high above the surrounding vineyards and is the symbol of Les Crêtes and its line of quality crafted wines.

LES CRETES S.S.

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