In Courmayeur, Italy’s Highest Winery. In the heart of the Alps, mountain viticulture has found a new home. At 2,173 metres above sea level, at the Pavillon du Mont Fréty on Skyway Monte Bianco in Courmayeur, the new experimental winery of Cave Mont Blanc has been inaugurated. This innovative project celebrates the fusion of tradition and cutting-edge techniques.
Ten years after the opening of the first winery and sparkling wine laboratory, a brand-new space was unveiled on Saturday, 22 February, developed in collaboration with the prestigious architectural studio Giò Forma.
At this altitude, the Pas Dosé "Cuvée des Guides" sparkling wine is born—an homage to the mountain and the Alpine Guides of Courmayeur. This exceptional wine is the result of the collaboration between Cave Mont Blanc and Skyway Monte Bianco, two entities that have been working together for years to enhance the region and its unique products.
The entire sparkling wine process takes place at altitude, where the unique atmospheric conditions—altitude, temperature, and pressure—create rare and precious bubbles. Since 2022, in collaboration with the Department of Oenology at the University of Turin, Cave Mont Blanc has been studying how these conditions influence the fermentation process, with results expected by the end of the year.
A journey between tradition and innovation
The history of the Pavillon winery is fascinating: the wine begins its journey in the vineyards of Morgex, among the highest in Europe, before reaching the intermediate station of Skyway Monte Bianco, where it is refined and its story is told through the experiences of mountain vignerons.
The new experimental winery is an invitation to push boundaries—an immersive experience narrating the extraordinary adventure of the "glacier bubbles." At the heart of the space stands a wall composed of around 3,000 recycled bottles from Skyway Monte Bianco, symbolising sustainability and environmental consciousness.
The artwork "Lo Blanc di Blanc" by artist Michel Olmi celebrates the fusion of landscape and viticulture, framing the vineyards against the majestic backdrop of Mont Blanc. The winery was made possible thanks to the collaboration of a group of Valle d’Aosta-based companies: ProjeExpo for structural work, Centro della Sicurezza for installations, and We Are Line for video and photographic documentation.
The refinement area, completely renovated with the support of Icet Studios, is now visible to visitors and offers a silent environment where bottles rest for 30 months at a natural temperature.
An event to celebrate heroic viticulture
The 22 February inauguration was not just an opportunity to present the new winery but also a moment of reflection on the social and cultural value of mountain viticulture.
During a round table moderated by Elisabetta Converso, industry experts—including Danilo Gasparini (University of Padua), Gianpaolo Girardi (Proposta Vini), and Michael Hock (Swiss cooperative winery St. Jorden)—discussed the importance of cooperation and innovation in ensuring the survival of mountain agriculture.
Following this, the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony was entrusted to Nicolas Bovard (President of Cave Mont Blanc), Federica Bieller (President of Skyway Monte Bianco), and Alpine Guides Alex Campedelli and Stefano Campese.
Words from the key figures
Nicolas Bovard emphasised the importance of collaboration between Valle d’Aosta’s finest:
"Today is a special day for our company, for Skyway Monte Bianco, for Courmayeur, and for the entire Valle d’Aosta. We have demonstrated that when vision and organisation come together, extraordinary projects can be realised. I thank everyone who contributed to the creation of this space, which tells the story of our heroic and extreme winemaking tradition in an innovative way."
Federica Bieller also highlighted the value of this decade-long journey:
"This evening celebrates a long journey, both for Skyway and for Cave Mont Blanc. The new winery symbolises our ongoing pursuit of quality and our desire to amaze visitors, transforming our cable car into a cultural and experiential destination. What struck me the most was the team spirit among the members and families of Cave Mont Blanc—an incredible sense of belonging and dedication."
With this ambitious project, it is clear that innovation and tradition can go hand in hand, and that wine can indeed reach the sky.
Skyway – Strada Statale 26dir, 48 – 0165.89196 – www.montebianco.com
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