Inherited the lands by his wife, in 1968 Grandpa Dauphin started bottling his own wine for the “II Exposition des Vins du Val d’Aoste”: the success of that fair encouraged the Grosjean grandfather’s drive that brought the farm from 3000 sq.m to the current 12 hectares. In the following years, all five sons committed themselves to the work: Vincent, Giorgio, Marco, Fernand and Eraldo, everyone expert in his own department. A new winery was built in 2000 in order to hold the increasing harvests. In 2011 a breakthrough happened: by mutual agreement the organic conversion started, the first winery in Valle d’Aosta. In 2015 a further renewal allowed to increase the winery in order to host all the 120,000 bottles produced.
Winemaking
Guyot bush forming system. Both mechanical and manual farming operations, with techniques allowed in the organic farming. No use of insecticides, nor acaricides, and not even chemical weeding are performed. Ferlilisation is performed just with organic substances (manure).Viticultural site with long tradition situated at 550 metres a.s.l.; extremely steep with south exposition, very dry and ventilate climate, highly sunny with remarkable thermic excursion during grapes maturation; we have chosen to adopt strictly eco-compatible agronomic techniques in this area.Vinification in wooden vat with destemmed grapes, and no yeast added. Maceration with skin for 8-10 days pumping over three times a day at controlled temperature. Aging refinement takes place in one part in stainless steel reservoirs and another one in wooden vats for 18-20 months. Following one year ageing, it is bottled and stored at least 6 months in the bottles before being commercialized.
Tasting notes
It features a very intense ruby red colour, a complex fruity bouquet including outstanding marasca cherry notes, weaker spicy notes and complex brushwood; it is tannic and dry in the mouth yet not aggressive with soft and lingering tannins.
Pairing recommendation
Suitable for long-term ageing in bottles, even 4-5 years. It makes an ideal accompaniment to game dishes.