les crétes
Val D’aosta, Italy
Les Crêtes has been at the forefront of searching out rare, indigenous vinifera varieties and helping protect them from extinction. Grapes like Prie Rouge, Mayolet, Cornalin, Premetta and Fumin exist nowhere else in the world and Les Crêtes, along with the rest of the tiny vignerons in the region, have worked with the Italian government to preserve them. The extreme elevation, heroic vineyard work and particularity of the ancient, autocthonous vines making bringing in outside help difficult. This is one of the most challenging regions on earth to work for wine, with vineyards non-contiguous, planted frequently on ledges on the side of steep Alpine mountains where they can find a little sandy soil.