Terroir has the strongest voice

Along the Alto Adige Wine Road, the Mediterranean meets the Alpine. Southerly winds in the altitudes of Girlan and cool downdrafts in the vineyards at the foot of the Mendola mountains. Over 2000 hours of sunlight a year, and yet significant fluctuations in temperatures between day and night.

In order to produce wines with strong character, we require both craftsmanship and suitable climate and soil.


We consider ourselves fortunate to work vineyards in different, historically recognised sites:
Girlan and Eppan Berg, Gries near Bolzano and on Lake Caldaro. Although these areas are geographically adjacent, they differ greatly in their inherent characteristics.

Among others, these contrasts are what gives our wines their own expression and liveliness.

Special places

Girlan - Rungg
(450-500 m)

Girlan is located on the Mitterberg, an elongated hill in the middle of the Adige Valley. Here, we find glacial moraine gravel soils with a high stone content (porphyry, granite, gneiss) and medium sand and clay content. These soils are relatively barren, they function as heat accumulators, and have a low pH value. Due to the favourable position on the hilltop, the locations are open to the winds. Except on rainy or thundery days, the Ora, the south wind from Lake Garda, blows in the afternoon hours.

Girlan is home to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot on the warmest western slopes, and to some Syrah on the hilltop.

Eppan Berg
(480-615 m)

The position at the foot of the Mendola Mountains is defining for our vineyards in Eppan Berg: cool downdrafts streaming into the valley from over 1300 m during the evening hours, moderate temperatures due to the eastern orientation and the shading effect of the Mendola ridge towering directly above create a unique, special microclimate.

In addition, the subsoil is extremely precious: clayey limestone gravel soils with a dominating dolomite content and ever-changing iron content (red clay) provide the ideal conditions for Pinot varieties. The soils are deep and characterised by high nutrient and water storage capacities, which secure a permanent water supply even in warmer years.

In Eppan Berg we planted Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, some Ruländer (Pinot gris) and Blauburgunder.

Gries - Bolzano
(260 m)

The indigenous Lagrein is inextricably linked to the Gries location. There are few other places in Alto Adige where such a strong historical connection between grape variety and location has developed.

Alluvial soils, formations created by the Talfer river, are dominant in Gries. They are extremely profound, with alternating sandy and gravel layers down to a depth of more than 10 m. The main rock is the porphyry. The soils are rich in minerals and ensure the water supply. The warmth of the Bolzano basin is typical – on hot summer days, winds from the Sarntal Valley provide cooling. Our Lagrein “Berger Gei” stems from the heart of this historic location.

 

Kaltern am See
(280 m)

The indigenous Vernatsch (Schiava) is a true specialty. Fresh, elegant, multi-faceted and above all: unique. That is why we are particularly pleased to be able to cultivate a  historic location on Lake Caldaro.

More than 80-year-old Vernatsch vines in traditional Pergola training system take root in this vineyard with a view of the lake. These are heat-storing, slightly loamy limestone gravel soils with a small amount of sand. This kind of limestone is particular: a sedimentary rock with valuable calcium-magnesium compounds, the dolomite, predominates. It originally arose from the coral reefs of the primordial sea.

The vines rise on a well aerated hillside. The southerly wind “Ora” blows in the afternoon, while the evenings are refreshed by downdrafts from the Mendola Mountain.

We strongly believe in the potential of this location and in this old variety, which is an important part of our wine culture and Alto Adige history and legacy.