TAVOLO VIGNETO

Located in Italy's Northwestern-most corner and sharing a border with France, the Valle d'Aosta is nothing short of breathtaking. Nestled into the heart of Alps, this picture perfect area boasts quaint villages and jaw-dropping scenery. The feel is decidedly Alpine here, an intoxicating blend of Swiss, French, and Italian influences that combine to create an atmosphere that is unique to other parts of Italy.

A true visionary, Elio Ottin is considered to be one of the area's best wine producers. A graduate of the Institut Agricole Regional, he acquired his first parcels of land in 1989 between the villages of Quart and St Christope. Those parcels have been carefully and gradually expanded over the years, now encompassing some 14 total hectares. He began estate bottling his wines in 2007, focusing on the region's historical varieties--Petite Arvine, Fumin, and especially Pinot Noir--and quickly developing a reputation for crafting wines that are as dynamic as his personality.

Dedicated to preserving and honoring the region's agrarian traditions, the Ottin estate has always been divided between vineyards, apple orchards, and pasture land for Elio's prized cattle. Sustainability is embraced in its entirety, and organic farming is employed wherever possible-- manure from the cattle supplies the fertilization for the vineyards, and the energy used on the farm is produced by solar panels and mountain water.