Les Cretes is one of the only privately owned and operated wineries in the Valle d’Aosta, an alpine valley enclosed on three sides by the Italian, French, and Swiss Alps. In 1955 the Charreres planted their first two hectares of grapes, focusing on making quality wines out of the indigenous vinifera varieties grown in the Aosta Valley. Sixth generation winemaker, Costantino Charrere, founded Les Cretes in 1989 and, with his family, crafts some of Italy’s finest white wines. The is comprised of 25 hectares of vineyards from six villages along the Dora Baltea River. Planted in the vineyards are both indigenous vinifera varieties (Petite Arvine, Petit Rouge, Fumin, Mayolet, Cornalin), as well as the more international 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 moraine hillsides around the town of Aymaville are composed of a mixture of sand and calcareous rocks. Les Cretes 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 Cretes often begin in late autumn. The vineyard cultivation shows respect for the high-elevation, mountain terroir with careful selection and planting of native and international grapes as well as minimal technical intervention in the cellar.
