The region, home to the highest vineyards in Europe, is truly viticoltura di montagna.  Winters here are long and freezing and the summers, although warm, are short. Working the land is incredibly labour intensive: individual land holdings are small, traditionally mixed use, and most vineyards are terraced on the steep hillsides. Elio’s six hectares are planted on the south facing hills of Aosta, Saint-Christophe and Quart at about 600 metres.

Elio’s Petite Arvine displays a complex nose with typical mountain freshness and notes of hay, honey, citrus and hawthorn blossom. For an oak-free wine, the palate shows considerable body and flavour. In Aosta, it would pair with cheese, sausage, ham, veal and other robust alpine foods. Locally, we think it goes particularly well with shellfish and seafood.