Les Crêtes Chardonnay Cuveé Bois D.O.P

Les Cretes was founded in 1989 in Aymavilles by Costantino Charrere, whose family has a long agricultural heritage in the Aosta Valley dating back to 1750. Over six generations, the Charrere family has transitioned from operating an 18th-century water mill to becoming pioneers of the modern Valdostan wine movement. Costantino is credited with revolutionizing the region's viticulture, transforming it from a local hobby into a globally recognized business. Today, the estate is managed by his family, including daughters Elena and Eleonora, who continue to honor the values of past generations while maintaining a focus on innovation and environmental sustainability.

The winery’s terroir is defined by the extreme conditions of the Italian Alps, featuring some of the highest elevated vineyards in Europe situated near Mont Blanc. The Chardonnay Cuvée Bois is sourced from steep, moraine slopes at altitudes between 600 and 800 meters, where sandy, granite-rich soils and significant diurnal temperature shifts shape the grapes. This "heroic viticulture" requires manual farming on treacherous terraces, resulting in wines with elegant aromas and a distinct mineral tension. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention and natural practices to protect the alpine habitat, using French oak maturation for the Cuvée Bois to add complexity and a velvety texture while preserving the purity of the mountain fruit.