On February 22, 2025, Cave Mont Blanc inaugurated its new high-altitude winery at the Pavillon du Mont Fréty, along the iconic Skyway Monte Bianco in Courmayeur, Italy. This new space is more than just a cellar — it’s a tribute to the Alpine spirit and a living museum of heroic mountain viticulture.
Located at an altitude of 2,173 meters, the new winery invites visitors to discover the unique challenges and beauty of producing sparkling wine in extreme conditions. This project builds on a decade of collaboration between Cave Mont Blanc and Skyway Monte Bianco, which began with their first experimental cellar on the same site in 2014.
Designed with the help of renowned architecture firm Giò Forma, the new cellar is a blend of art, science, and nature. The centerpiece is a striking wall made of 3,000 recycled bottles used previously on the Skyway, surrounding the artwork “Lo Blanc di Blanc” by Morgex-based iron artist Michel Olmi. The installation celebrates the powerful link between Mont Blanc’s towering presence and the unique terroir that shapes the wines of this region.
The grapes used in Cave Mont Blanc’s sparkling wines are grown in Europe’s highest vineyards, located between 900 and 1,200 meters in Morgex and La Salle. These vineyards produce Prié Blanc, a rare native white grape perfectly adapted to Alpine conditions. The wine then travels up the mountain to the Skyway for its secondary fermentation — a process that benefits from the altitude’s unique combination of temperature, pressure, and low oxygen levels.
One standout product is the Pas Dosé “Cuvée des Guides”, crafted entirely at high altitude as a tribute to Courmayeur’s Alpine guides. Since 2022, the cellar has been working with the University of Turin to study how elevation impacts the sparkling wine process — with final results expected later this year.
The project brought together a network of local companies from the Aosta Valley for its construction and multimedia installations. The aging area has also been redesigned, offering visitors a quiet space to view bottles resting naturally for over 30 months.
During the opening ceremony, wine experts and agricultural leaders from across Europe gathered to discuss the cultural and social value of mountain winemaking. Speakers highlighted the importance of cooperation, sustainability, and innovation to preserve and grow this unique viticultural tradition.
Cave Mont Blanc President Nicolas Bovard emphasized that the project reflects the strength of regional collaboration: “When Aosta Valley’s best talents come together with a shared vision, they can achieve extraordinary results.”
Federica Bieller, President of Skyway Monte Bianco, described the winery as a natural extension of the Skyway experience: “This cellar enriches our visitors’ journey with insight into mountain viticulture and the chance to taste wines born at the foot of Mont Blanc.”
This new cellar is more than just a facility — it’s a celebration of Alpine identity, environmental respect, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It redefines what it means to produce wine at altitude and transforms Skyway Monte Bianco into not only a scenic journey to the top of Europe but also a cultural and enogastronomic destination.
Watch the video and discover how wine is made at the top of Europe
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Credits: Evi Garbolino Photographer per Cave Mont Blanc
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