Collection: THE CRETES

THE STORY

Perhaps it is best to start with the daughters, Elena and Eleonora, born in 1977 and 1980, who, in addition to being radiant like their mother Imelda, had the task in the company of procuring ladybugs: yes, ladybugs! They were searched for and collected in the mountain meadows, around Ozein, half an hour from Aymavilles, placed in small cardboard cases and carefully transported during the day to be released into the vineyard where they would carry out their work by devouring harmful mites: the little girls, amused by much more than a game, had no choice but to stop and watch. No, it is not a fairy tale, it was a simple choice made by the Charrère family, who has always, throughout its history, looked after concrete things.

It was the great-great-grandfather Bernardin Charrère, from what is now Haute-Savoie, who immigrated to Aymavilles around 1750. There he built the building that still exists today with cellars and a walnut mill. The great-grandfather Etienne continued the business by also introducing the production of cider according to the needs of the fashion and economy of the time by adding an additional mill. The grandfather Louis then built a mill to grind wheat, rye and barley because once again that was what the market wanted and those who are far-sighted know how to recognize the signs of the times and adapt. Antoine, father of Costantino, who succeeded him, continued the business until 1955 when olive oils and ground products began to arrive from outside the valley. It was again necessary to convert and the chosen line this time was that of fine wines. Once again, attention was placed on the public and, to better distinguish themselves, a process of personalization was begun at a cultural level (crus vinified separately), commercial level (indication of the geographical locations of each vineyard), and historical level (fidelity to the native vines that would make the Aosta Valley great, such as Petit Rouge, Fumin, Prié Rouge, Tinturier).

Costantino, an athletic gymnastics teacher, like his wife, and a ski instructor, continued the work of his father Antoine and mother Ida, dedicating himself with passion to viticulture. First by selecting vines that would otherwise have been lost in the mountains of the Aosta Valley: Premetta (Prié Rouge), a very rare vine in danger of extinction, whose grapes are now vinified in purity according to an innovative protocol in classic method sparkling wine and Fumin, another "native" strain, saved from extinction and vinified with sensational results, so much so that in 1999 it already earned the attention of national critics with "Il sole di Luigi Veronelli". Later, after leaving teaching, Costantino was driven by the desire to dedicate himself completely to his passion for wine and created what is now Les Crêtes, still in Aymavilles, planting new vineyards also in other municipalities of the Aosta Valley.

Today, the company, owned by the Charrère family, manages 20 hectares of vineyards distributed across six municipalities in the Aosta Valley. With its annual production of 180,000 bottles, it is the largest private company operating in the region.

THE PHILOSOPHY:

The Les Crêtes company produces its wines in an Alpine context, which develops at the foot of Mont Blanc, characterized by high mountains, sandy slopes and rigid temperatures. The cool, dry and ventilated microclimate is characterized by soils of morainic origin, draining and with a strong mineral component. Attention to the environment and cultivation techniques are fundamental aspects for our reality. This has an intrinsic and focused link with the surrounding habitat. Each activity is carried out with the utmost dedication and care, in relation to the quality and passion that distinguishes us. Les Crêtes also follows the guidelines of the European sector programs regarding phytosanitary treatments, choosing to make a reduced use of pesticides. This is our philosophy.

Giving value to the territory means protecting its identity

The cornerstone of the company's philosophy is to continue to follow the values ​​of past generations by enhancing the "terroir" with fidelity and respect for traditions. The gaze, however, is always turned towards that future of innovation that allows to fully express the potential of a mountain wine-growing territory like that of the Aosta Valley. A unique and unrepeatable reality.

The agronomic management, mostly manual, follows the practices of integrated pest management to protect the environment and safeguard the territory. The climatic conditions also favor a low environmental impact cultivation. The grapes, harvested by hand, are arranged in small crates, to protect their integrity and are transformed with great care. The wines, tasty, fresh and elegant, express this philosophy and the essence of the mountain "terroir". They are the children of a family-run winery, of small plots cultivated by hand and cared for in detail, to obtain healthy grapes, with low yields, following both in the field and in the cellar, traditional and eco-sustainable practices, to protect the environment and the territory.