Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle

🇮🇹 Italy

AOC Ultra-rare

DOC 1985 - Europe's HIGHEST altitude white wine (900-1,200m), 100% ungrafted Prié Blanc vines (phylloxera cannot survive), Cave Mont Blanc cooperative (80 growers, 18 hectares)

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Region profile

History

Romans established Augusta Praetoria (Aosta) in 25 BC via Great St. Bernard Pass, bringing viticulture. Prié Blanc documented 1691. Bronze Age grape seeds at Saint-Martin-de-Corléans suggest 4,000+ years cultivation. 1983: Cave du Vin Blanc cooperative established to preserve tradition. Only ungrafted quality wine vines in Western Europe due to altitude-induced phylloxera immunity.

Climate
Extreme Alpine continental; 900-1,200m elevation at foot of Mont Blanc; south-facing steep terraced slopes above Dora Baltea River; freezing winters, short intense summers; diurnal temperature swings preserve acidity; phylloxera-free zone (cold kills pest)
Signature wines
Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle DOC (Cave Mont Blanc cooperative - 80 growers, benchmark crisp Alpine white; Ermes Pavese La Ruine - high-altitude specialist; Piero Brunet - independent producer) - delicate floral notes, green apple, citrus, alpine minerality, high acidity, mineral finish
What sets it apart
Europe's HIGHEST altitude quality vineyards (900-1,200m); UNGRAFTED Prié Blanc vines (phylloxera-free - unique in Western Europe); Cave Mont Blanc cooperative (80 growers, 18 hectares, 90% production); 1691 documented variety; Bronze Age origins; heroic viticulture at foot of Mont Blanc

Facts

  • Europe's highest altitude quality vineyards (900-1,200m)
  • 18 hectares total
  • DOC 1985 (incorporated into Valle d'Aosta DOC)
  • Cave du Vin Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle cooperative founded 1983 (80 grower-members, 90% of production)
  • Prié Blanc documented 1691 in Saint-Pierre
  • ungrafted vines (unique in Western Europe)
  • Bronze Age grape seeds found locally (2000+ BC origins)
  • heroic viticulture - only accessible by foot or monorail

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026