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 on “ciglioni“. 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. Fertilisation is performed just with organic substances (manure).A slope in full sun situated between 600 and 750 metres above sea level is the home of Cornalin (or Corniola), a recently rediscovered native grape variety that is proving very important thanks to its excellent longevity and which makes a wine of remarkable personality.Vinification with destemmed grapes, and no yeast added. Maceration with skin for 10-12 days pumping over three times a day at controlled temperature. Aging refinement in barrique for 15-18 months. Bottling in April.

Tasting notes

It features intense ruby red colour and fine and varied bouquet that brings to mind spices and tobacco’s aromatic essence, soft and full palate, pleasantly tannic, persistent, very low acidity.

Pairing recommendation

Ideal with meat, excellent with typical local soups, it is also a perfect match with some varieties of Aosta Valley cheeses, like Fontina DOP.