Les Crêtes is one of the great names of Italy’s mountainous north and the benchmark producer of the spectacular Valle d’Aosta — a tiny Alpine wine region where vineyards cling to impossibly steep slopes beneath some of Europe’s highest peaks.
Based in Aymavilles, Les Crêtes is the work of the Charrère family, whose connection with agriculture and viticulture in the region stretches back generations. Today, the estate has become internationally recognised for demonstrating just how distinctive and sophisticated the indigenous grape varieties of Valle d’Aosta can be.
This is Italian wine unlike almost anything else.
Wine from the Italian Alps
Valle d’Aosta is Italy’s smallest wine region, tucked into the Alps in the far northwest of the country near the borders of France and Switzerland.
The combination of altitude, dramatic mountain slopes, intense sunlight, cool nights and rocky Alpine soils creates wines with remarkable freshness, perfume, minerality and precision.
Les Crêtes works with vineyards scattered throughout this extraordinary landscape, including parcels planted on steep terraces where viticulture can be extraordinarily demanding.
The resulting wines have an unmistakable Alpine personality: pure, energetic, aromatic and wonderfully refreshing.
Petit Arvine & the Native Grapes of Valle d’Aosta
Part of the fascination of Les Crêtes is the opportunity to discover varieties rarely encountered outside this tiny corner of the Alps.
Petit Arvine is one of the stars. It produces intensely aromatic yet beautifully structured white wines, combining citrus, white flowers, orchard and stone fruits with mineral tension and a characteristic saline edge.
The reds are equally fascinating.
Indigenous Alpine varieties including Petit Rouge, Fumin, Cornalin and Vuillermin can sit alongside varieties such as Gamay, creating wonderfully fragrant wines filled with red berries, mountain herbs, florals, spice and savoury complexity.
These aren't heavy Italian reds. Their attraction lies in perfume, freshness, detail and sheer drinkability.
Les Crêtes Mon Rouge
The estate's Mon Rouge perfectly captures the adventurous spirit of Les Crêtes.
Bringing together varieties including Cornalin, Fumin, Vuillermin, Gamay and Petit Rouge, it is a distinctly Alpine expression of red wine — vibrant, aromatic, spicy and full of personality.
For anyone accustomed to the famous varieties of Piedmont, Tuscany or Sicily, wines such as Mon Rouge offer the opportunity to experience an entirely different side of Italy.
Why We Love Les Crêtes at Liquid Vibe
There are thousands of Italian wineries, but very few make wines quite like Les Crêtes.
The combination of extreme Alpine vineyards, obscure indigenous varieties, generations of family knowledge and highly distinctive wines makes this one of Italy's most fascinating estates.
These are wines for people who love discovering something different.
If you enjoy the freshness and perfume of cool-climate wine, the mineral precision of great mountain whites or the elegance of lighter European reds, Les Crêtes and Valle d’Aosta should absolutely be on your radar.
Discover Les Crêtes at Liquid Vibe — extraordinary Alpine wines from one of Italy's smallest, highest and most spectacular wine regions.
