Heroic viticulture on steep terraces

The steep terraced vineyards of Donnas and surrounding communes showcase "heroic viticulture" at its most extreme. Vines cling to precipitous slopes where mechanization is impossible, yielding concentrated wines of remarkable character from indigenous varieties.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Book the Terrace Tour at Les Crêtes Wine · Price: moderate

   Book their terrace vineyard tour (€25-40) at Les Crêtes winery in Aymavilles (20 min from Aosta, 30 min from Courmayeur) - Valle d'Aosta's most prestigious producer - where you'll walk through vineyards clinging to precipitous slopes where mechanization is impossible and everything is done by hand. This is 'heroic viticulture' at its most extreme, defying gravity and economics for the sake of exceptional wine. Call ahead (+39 0165 902274) or book via lescretes.it, requesting the tour that includes their Cornalin and Fumin tastings.

   Backup: If Les Crêtes is fully booked, try Grosjean in Quart (family domaine, less famous but equally authentic terraces).

   Log Memory
2. 2 Taste Cornalin from Aged Vintages Wine · Price: high

   Ask specifically for older Cornalin vintages (5+ years) at the winery tasting room after your tour - this grape produces structured, age-worthy reds that develop leather, spice, and black fruit complexity with time that younger versions can't match. Say: 'Do you have any library Cornalin available for tasting?' to unlock bottles not on the standard list. Compare a young vintage to an aged one side-by-side to understand why collectors obsess over this almost-extinct variety. Expect €40-80 for aged bottles.

   Backup: If no aged Cornalin, ask for their Fumin instead - another almost-extinct grape rescued by passionate growers, now a cult collector wine.

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3. 3 Hike the Alta Via delle Vigne Adventure · Free

   Walk a section of the Alta Via delle Vigne (High Path of Vineyards) starting from Donnas or surrounding villages to see the dry-stone walls built by hand over centuries, the gnarled ancient vines, and the impossible slopes that define 'heroic viticulture' - imagine harvesting these grapes without machines on terraces that seem to defy physics. Allow 1-2 hours for a moderate section, best in summer/fall when grapes are visible. Ask at wineries for route recommendations since they know the most scenic sections.

   Backup: If hiking isn't possible, drive the winding roads through the terraces - the views are nearly as dramatic from the car.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Les Crêtes is the region's most prestigious producer - book their terrace tour

• The Cornalin grape produces structured, age-worthy reds - ask for older vintages

• Combine vineyard visits with hiking on the Alta Via delle Vigne