James Suckling – South Tyrol Report 2025

Andrian's Burgundian classic finds its southern Alpine interpretation between 300 and 500 metres on calcareous clay-dolomite soils. These lower-lying sites offer the Pinot Bianco optimal ripening conditions: early morning sunshine with sufficient coolness for the thin-skinned, pressure-sensitive berries. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and six months of refinement on the fine lees give Finado its characteristic texture and complexity.

Pinot Bianco Berg offers soft, savoury aromas of white stone fruit, alpine herbs and Spanish broom. The palate is creamy and polished, with juicy pear, ripe yellow apple and hazelnut, before finishing with a fresh citrus note. SUPERIORE.DE

Floral and slightly spicy, stimulating bouquet of green apple, peach and melon. Aromatic freshness, fullness and harmony on the palate. Fine, clean and very harmonious quality. SUPERIORE.DE

La Manina, a vibrant white wine from biodynamic cultivation in the Dolomites region, is characterised by freshness and loyalty to its origins. The 2024 vintage was characterised by sunny days, cool mountain nights and healthy grapes with a pronounced aroma. After being harvested by hand, it ferments at controlled temperatures in stainless steel. It is then aged on fine lees for a few months to promote texture and structure.

Eppan-Berg Schulthaus Pinot Bianco is a true classic among South Tyrolean Pinot Blancs. Its success began in 1982, when it was first vinified and bottled. A perfect, delicately fruity and fresh wine that is a pleasure to savour with its creamy softness and racy acidity. Smells of fresh spring green, the generous palate is characterised by mirabelle plum, nectarine and a vibrant freshness that leads to a refreshing finish with lemon and minerals. SUPERIORE.DE

The evening fall winds of the Mendel Mountains characterise the entire terroir of the St. Michael-Eppan winery. They ensure cool nights and give the grapes the extraordinary characteristics that characterise the aromas, unmistakable freshness and longevity of the wines. The fall wind is the natural force that blows over the vineyard every day, positively influencing the climate and supporting the valuable work of the winegrowers at the cooperative winery.

The evening fall winds of the Mendel Mountains characterise the entire terroir of the St. Michael-Eppan winery. They ensure cool nights and give the grapes those extraordinary characteristics that characterise the aromas, unmistakable freshness and longevity of the wines. The fall wind is the natural force that blows over the vineyard every day, positively influencing the climate and supporting the valuable work of the winegrowers at the cooperative winery.

Strong yellow colour, elegant and fragrant bouquet of exotic fruits, peach, lemon peel, hazelnut and chalk. Medium to full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and bright, penetrating acidity. Polished, long and delicate finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The name Glarea is of Rhaeto-Romanic origin and means gravel. The grapes for this mineral and very harmonious Chardonnay grow at an altitude of around 250 metres on the lower part of the Höllenbach debris cone in soils rich in limestone and gravel. Thanks to the low hillside location and the proximity to the valley floor, a unique microclimate is created here, characterised by considerable temperature fluctuations. During the day, the Glarea vineyards enjoy very warm temperatures, which are replaced by cool air masses in the late hours of the night and early morning, giving it a lovely tautness and freshness.

Medium golden yellow colour. Spicy, intense nose with aromas of roses, lychee and lily blossom. Powerful and round on the palate with a full, creamy texture. Piquant and mineral notes are flanked by a fresh acidity and notes of apricot and honeydew melon. Gewürztraminer Stoass ends harmoniously in a finely fruity and smooth finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Delicately shimmering ruby red colour. Ripe plums, red cherries, lemon peel, dried flowers and earth on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. Darker fruits, spices and minerals come into play on the flavourful finish. Very floral and pretty on the nose with sliced strawberries and citrus. Medium body, very fine tannins and a fresh, supple finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Brilliant ruby red with a light-coloured rim. Very precise bouquet of blackberry, raspberry and spices. The palate is light and lively, with an elegant and deep fruit component accompanied by a delicate bitter note and fine spice. A very elegant and juicy Pinot Nero with good Storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

The name Manna evokes biblical associations, but the true story is even more beautiful: Franz Haas dedicated this extraordinary wine to his wife Maria Luisa Manna in 1995 – a token of love in bottle form that unites the philosophy of the winery in a single cuvée. What began as an assemblage of Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc was expanded to include Kerner from 2013 onwards – five grape varieties, five personalities that merge into a harmonious symbiosis. The vineyards are located between 350 and 800 metres above sea level in a south-westerly direction on geologically highly diverse soils: dolomite, porphyry, sand and marl give each plot its own character. The grapes ripen at different times and are harvested and vinified separately – chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc ferment in barriques, while Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Kerner ferment in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the young wines are blended and left to rest on the fine lees for around ten months, followed by further months of bottle ageing. This patient approach results in a wine of exceptional complexity.

Impressively structured Chardonnay from the Kreuth estate. The western vineyard produces a very elegant wine that impresses with its fine acidity, creamy structure and elegant interplay of flavours. Bright, radiant straw yellow in colour. Complex and balanced, with an abundance of tropical fruit, underlined by a sensual salty minerality. Long and persistent. SUPERIORE.DE

The name St. Valentin has long stood for more than just a top-quality line in South Tyrol – it is a promise. For precision, loyalty to origin and the will to get the maximum expression out of well-known grape varieties. With Pinot Grigio, this is achieved in an almost quiet way – without drama, but with depth and poise. The vines for the St. Valentin Pinot Grigio grow on selected, higher-altitude plots around Eppan, where calcareous gravel soils, alpine altitude and long hours of sunshine create an extraordinary interplay. This is a Pinot Grigio that does not aim for quick fruit or arbitrariness, but for structure, minerality and longevity. After the harvest, fermentation takes place partly in stainless steel and partly in large wooden barrels – the subsequent ageing on the fine lees gives it substance and a touch of creamy noblesse.

Sauvignon Sanct Valentin is probably the best-known white wine from the St. Michael-Eppan winery. It has been vinified from carefully selected single vineyards at the foot of the Mendelstock since 1989. Yellow-green in colour, dense bouquet of yellow fruit, gooseberry, elderflower and ripe redcurrant, smooth on the palate with elegant, floral fullness and crisp acidity. A great and very savoury top wine and probably the most award-winning white from the internationally highly respected winegrowers' cooperative. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinot Grigio Unterebner is an exceptional wine: golden yellow in colour, elegant aromas of blossom honey, lavender and tropical fruit. Delicate buttery notes, very balanced and charismatic, long and powerful on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE