Wines from South Tyrol and Trentino

South Tyrol's autochthonous king grape variety finds its ancestral terroir on the permeable gravel and crushed stone soils of the Bolzano valley floor at 250 metres. Here, where "Lagrinum" was first mentioned in a document as early as 1379, Lagrein thrives in its heartland – the warm, sun-drenched vineyards around Gries with their extreme day-night temperature fluctuations. The traditional mash fermentation in stainless steel with controlled fermentation and gentle mash movement, followed by malolactic fermentation and six months of ageing in large oak barrels, gives Rubeno its characteristic structure and elegance.

In the vineyards of Eppan and Kaltern, between 350 and 500 metres above sea level, Pinot Noir finds the alpine conditions that allow it to mature into an elegant interpretation of the Burgundian grape variety. The grapes thrive on moraine debris with limestone and gravel in a temperate climate with cooling winds, which give the variety its characteristic freshness and aromatic clarity. The St. Michael-Eppan winery, one of the leading cooperatives in South Tyrol since 1907, cultivates its vineyards with respect for the grape and favours environmentally friendly cultivation with targeted yield regulation. After temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine matures for six months in large Slavonian oak barrels. This ageing method preserves the fruitiness and varietal elegance, while the wood adds subtle spice and structural depth without masking the fine varietal aromas.

The Latin Merus stands for pure or genuine. All Merus wines have this claim and are characterised by varietal character and natural elegance. The grapes come from vineyards in the lowlands and are pressed in steel and concrete barrels. The result is wines that are open, fresh and accessible at an early stage. Bright golden yellow in colour. Distinctive bouquet of ripe grapes and candied fruit, accompanied by fine notes of honey, oriental spices, sage and rose petals. A full-bodied and harmonious wine with a respectable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The cooperative's latest achievement: Stieler Pinot Grigio comes from hand-picked hillside vineyards on the Ritten between 500 and 600 metres, where vines over 25 years old put all their experience into the grapes. When developing the Cuvée TAL, cellar master Filippi recognised the extraordinary potential of these Ritten vineyards and created a unique single-vineyard wine from them. Gentle whole-cluster pressing and six months of ageing on the fine lees in large oak barrels give this Pinot Gris its characteristic complexity.

Impeccable and dynamic Gewürztraminer: strong golden yellow colour, delicately smoky, fine orange notes, rose oil, perfect varietal characteristics. Powerful, mineral and persistent on the palate, rose petals on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"St. Magdalener, a traditional cuvée made from the two indigenous grape varieties Vernatsch and Lagrein, once not only played a very important role in South Tyrolean viticulture, but was also one of the most famous Italian red wines. But even today, this fine, fruity and characteristically stylish red wine, which is named after the growing area around the wine village of St. Magdalena, has many fans and is currently being rediscovered by many a connoisseur." Rudi Kofler (cellar master Cantina Terlano)

At the Löwenpass, tradition and lightness meet in a red wine of enchanting informality. Produced biodynamically according to Demeter guidelines, this cuvée combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Petit Verdot and the autochthonous Vernatsch to create a harmonious quartet of different characters. Grapes with a natural freshness come from the calcareous gravel soils of Margreid between 230 and 320 metres above sea level. Careful vinification with mash fermentation at controlled temperatures and twelve months of ageing in large barrels preserves the lively fruitiness.

The spectacular steep slope of Römigberg rises high above Lake Kaltern – a location that comes particularly close to the ideal of a closed farm organisation. Here, oxen graze between the vines and the traditional pergola training protects the thin-skinned Vernatsch grapes from intense sunlight. On gravel-rich dolomite limestone between 250 and 330 metres, a Vernatsch of exceptional finesse is produced under biodynamic Demeter cultivation. The spontaneous mash fermentation in wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks, partly on whole grapes, gives this autochthonous South Tyrolean classic a special complexity. Ruby red in colour with purple reflections, it has subtle aromas of red berries and violets. Elegant and balanced on the palate, with silky tannins and lively freshness – a versatile classic for every occasion. SUPERIORE.DE

The porphyry soils on which the vines for the successful cooperative winery's first organic wine are grown are of volcanic origin, and the former lava flows gave the elegant, fresh wine its name. It is a perfectly successful symbiosis of the organic origins of the Bolzano region and the contemporary high standards of fresh and crisp South Tyrolean white wines. Bright straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Full bouquet of ripe apple, peach and hints of tropical fruit. Firm, precise and well-structured on the palate, its pleasant acidity carries it into a remarkable finish. 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.

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 legendary Mockhof is enthroned high above Bolzano – a single vineyard site that offers Sauvignon Bianco perfect conditions for its development. Situated at an altitude of 500 metres on steep porphyry slopes, the vines benefit from extreme daytime temperatures and cool nights, which allow for exceptionally slow ripening. This exposed location is one of the latest harvesting areas in South Tyrol – a circumstance that gives the Mock its characteristic aromatic complexity. Cellar master Stephan Filippi vinifies this single-vineyard wine with the utmost care: gentle pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation and maturation exclusively in stainless steel preserve the intensity typical of the grape variety.

Merus – latin for "pure, unmixed". Tiefenbrunner's entry-level line stands for varietal character and natural elegance, bottled young and immediately accessible. This classic Bordeaux assemblage of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot comes from the vineyards of the South Tyrolean lowlands, the southernmost part of the province. The Brenntal and Frauenriegel vineyards near Kurtatsch, at an altitude of 210 to 380 metres, yield grapes from calcareous moraine soils. Vinification in stainless steel and concrete, followed by brief ageing in large wooden barrels – the result: freshness without heaviness.

A tribute to St Mauritius, patron saint of the small hamlet of Söll above Tramin – this is how the name for this characterful Pinot Blanc from the highest vineyards of the traditional winery came about. Between 400 and 600 metres above sea level, where the vines thrive on calcareous clay soil with gravel, the extreme temperature fluctuations between sunny days and cool Alpine nights shape the unmistakably "cool" character of this elegant South Tyrolean white wine.

The Fallwind wines are ambassadors of their terroir and reflect the strengths of the growing region in a unique way. Most of them are from selected vineyards that have been cultivated for centuries. Strict quality guidelines, low yields, intensive manual labour in the vineyard and gentle and individual ageing in the cellar make them what they are: Characterful, precise and unique wines with varietal characteristics that will win over every connoisseur.