Grosjean Frères

Maison Vigneronne Frères Grosjean Quart, Val d’Aoste, Italy In 1969, Dauphin Grosjean began bottling his own wines, which he introduced during the “Exposition des vins du Val d'Aoste.” His success at this event inspired him to create the Grosjean Frères winery. Comprised of 7 hectares, this small estate in the communes of Quart and St. Christophe in Italy’s deep northwest. The Aosta Valley is 800 meters above sea level with soils composed of glacial moraine a rocky, semi-fertile mixture that aids in the creation of quality wine. Only 385 acres of the region’s 520 is a DOC zone. This is however, less than half the acreage cultivated 20 years ago. The long tradition of wines and vines has been slowly disappearing from this bucolic region. Single estates in Sicily, for example make far more wine than the Val d’Aoste’s modest 2,000,000 bottles per annum. The Dauphin’s sons, or “The Brothers Grosjean” are among Italy’s great saviours of indigenous grapes. They have defeated the invasion of international varieties to the country’s unique region. The family specializes in a number of interesting native vines: Tzeriat, Rovetta, Creton, Touren a Quart, Tanzte de Bagnere, Merletta and Castello di Pleod. Years ago, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Petite Arvine grapes were planted along with the classic vine for this area called Petit Rouge. Today the 5 Grosjean brothers are also cultivating vines like the Furmin, Cornalin, Premetta, Pinot Gris and Vuillermin a full representation of Italian, French and Swiss varieties. Their agricultural techniques are intimately connected to a profound respect for the environment. Since 1975, they have used no pesticides of any kind and allow only fertilizers which are strictly organic.