Food & Wine - visit the producers: Arvier, Avise, Introd, Saint-Nicolas

A legend tells of two wayfarers who, passing through Arvier and arrived in the parish, asked to see the priest; the priest housekeeper replied that it was not possible because the curate was in “hell”. In reality, she referred to the Enfer vineyards, the magnificent natural amphitheater located on the left bank of the Dora Baltea and so called because it is exposed in full sun, to the south, with a very hot microclimate, despite the altitude of 800 meters.
Viticulture in Arvier has roots far back in time; documents attest as early as 1312 the possession of vineyards by the inhabitants of the place.
Heir to this tradition, the Co-Enfer cooperative winery was founded in 1975. Today it manages the entire wine-making process, from the cultivation of the 5 hectares of land, conferred by more than 100 members, to the marketing of the approximately 35.000 bottles produced every year adding the five labels: Enfer, Clos, Digne du Pape, Mayolet and Triskell.
In the cellar, an original reinterpretation of traditional mountain architecture, the grapes are processed according to traditional methods but with the help of modern technologies.
Intense, full-bodied, Enfer d’Arvier was among the first Valle d’Aosta wines to obtain the DOC Denomination, in 1972. It is a red wine made in purity with grapes of the autochthonous Petit rouge grape which, if necessary, can be integrated, up to a maximum of 15%, with 5 other grapes.
Since 2016, the Triskell (brut classic method sparkling wine) has been produced with the native Mayolet grape variety and rests with the yeasts in the bottle for a period ranging from 36 to 48 months, before disgorgement and marketing.
For some years now, winemakers who are not equipped for production have been able to bring their grapes to the cooperative which takes care of the winemaking, bottling, packaging and storage operations against payment of the service.

Products

Wines Enfer, Clos, Digne du Pape, Mayolet e Triskell.

For the opening hours of the wine store please contact the company by telephone or email.

Visit

The company is open all year round for visits and tastings, from Monday to Saturday, upon reservation. According to the customer’s needs there are different typologies of tastings, booking is required.  

Spoken languages: Italian, French and English.

How to get there

From Aosta, take national road 26 in the direction of Courmayeur until the village of Arvier (17 km). After the Hotel Le Clou, on the right, leave the national road at the railway station sign and follow the signs for the Co-Enfer.
Coming from the Mont Blanc Tunnel, after the Arvier roundabout go through a wide right curve and turn left at the sign of the railway station. Then follow the signs for the Co-Enfer.
Parking stall for buses 300 meters from the cellar.

The company is located on the edge of the Gran Paradiso National Park, at the entrance to the Rhêmes and Valsavarenche Valleys.
The winery led by Marco Martin is characterized by a great passion for the cultivation of the vineyard which is typical of the Valdostan vignerons.
Production has gone from the initial 1.000 to the current 60.000 bottles, thanks to the cultivation of vineyards located in various municipalities of Valle d’Aosta at an altitude ranging from 550 to 900 metres.
The range of wines is quite vast, but the winery has grown thanks to its Pinot gris.
On the one hand, the Valle d’Aosta territory - with its variety of soils, exposures and altitudes - allows the cultivation of different vines; on the other hand, the desire to experiment involves the planting of new vineyards and therefore the production of numerous labels of wine.
The important awards achieved over the years suggest that we are working in the right direction and encourage us to further improve our work, both in the vineyard and in the winery.

The products
White DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) wines: Vallée d’Aoste Pinot Gris, Vallée d’Aoste Pinot Gris élevé en barriques, Vallée d’Aoste Gewürztraminer, Vallée d’Aoste Muscat Petit Grain, Vallée d’Aoste Petite Arvine
Red DOC wines: Vallée d’Aoste Gamay, Vallée d’Aoste Nus, Vallée d’Aoste Pinot Noir, Vallée d’Aoste Rouge Coteau Barrage, Vallée d’Aoste Fumin
Other wines: Mistigri white wine and Heritage red wine

Point of sale: times to be agreed by telephone or e-mail.

The visit
The winery can be visited all year round upon reservation by e-mail, telephone or online. Minimum 2 people, maximum 40. It is possible to visit the winery and taste a selection of the company's wines paired with typical products - the list is available on the website of the company.
Costs of tastings:
CLASSIQUE
Tasting of 3 wines: € 15.00 per person
DECOUVERTE
Tasting of 6 wines: € 25.00 per person
AMUSE BOUCHE
Tasting of 6 wines with a platter of typical Aosta Valley products: € 30.00 per person
GOURMET
Tasting of 8 wines accompanied by a traditional Aosta Valley dish, minimum 10 people: € 55.00 per person

Languages spoken: Italian, French and English.

How to get there
Coming from the A5 motorway, take the Aosta Ovest exit. Take state highway 26 towards Courmayeur. Just after Villeneuve, take the fork for Introd. The company is located after 1.5 km.