Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOCGruener Veltliner, Mueller-Thurgau, Sylvaner, Pinot Nero, GewurztraminerFounded 1999Christian and Veronika KerschbaumerORGANIC CERTIFIEDEisacktal / Valle Isarco DOC, Feldthurns
Feldthurns organic estate above Klausen, certified organic since 2009. Christian Kerschbaumer's Gruener Veltliner is a leading Eisacktal expression.
Tip: Tastings by appointment. The Gruener Veltliner Doppelmagnum bottlings are the estate's signature large-format pours.
Alto Adige DOCPinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Schiava, LagreinIgnaz and Elisabeth NiedristCornaiano (Girlan), Oltradige zone
Cornaiano family estate, 11 hectares across three Oltradige sites. Pinot Nero specialist with single-vineyard Pinot Bianco. Around 50,000 bottles.
Tip: The Berger Gei single-vineyard Pinot Bianco and the Vom Kalk Pinot Nero are the estate's twin headlines. Cellar visits are by appointment and personal.
Alto Adige DOC / Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGTSolaris, Bronner, Souvignier Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Lagrein, SchiavaFounded 1993Werner Morandell (Morandell family since 1993)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDCaldaro / Kaltern, Lago di Caldaro shore
Caldaro organic estate, certified-organic since 1993. Werner Morandell is a fungus-resistant variety pioneer. On-site South Tyrolean Vine Museum.
Tip: The Vino del Passo from Solaris is a singular dessert wine, rare in the Italian market because Solaris is a fungus-resistant variety (PIWI) not authorised in most Italian DOC rules. The South Tyrolean Vine Museum runs guided tours of the educational trail.
Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOCSylvaner, Kerner, Mueller-Thurgau, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Gruener VeltlinerGuenther Kerschbaumer and Gaby TauberBiodynamic PracticingEisacktal / Valle Isarco DOC, near Neustift Abbey
Small Eisacktal estate worked by Guenther Kerschbaumer and Gaby Tauber, 5 hectares at 700-800 m above Neustift Abbey, mineral-driven Sylvaner and Kerner.
Tip: Visits by appointment - the cellar is small. The Sylvaner Praepositus selection is bottled for 8-12 year ageing; a vertical at the cellar door is a rare treat.
Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOCSylvaner, Riesling, Gruener Veltliner, GewurztraminerFounded 1990Peter and Brigitte PligerBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDEisacktal / Valle Isarco DOC, south of Brixen
Pliger family farmstead at Brixen, 12th-century origins; organic and biodynamic Sylvaner, Riesling and Gruener Veltliner from the steep Valle Isarco slopes.
Tip: Wines are tightly allocated and reach Italy and Germany via mailing-list and on-trade only. The Kaiton Riesling and the Lahner Sylvaner are the two flagship cuvees.
Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOCSylvaner, Kerner, Mueller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gruener Veltliner, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon, ZweigeltFounded 1100Hannes BaumgartnerEisacktal / Valle Isarco DOC, Vahrn-Neustift
Vahrn-Neustift estate at 650-750 m altitude, first mentioned 1100 AD. Hannes Baumgartner's 5-hectare project, around 45,000 bottles, multi-export.
Tip: Cellar visits are intimate - Hannes typically pours himself. The Sylvaner Vinea Vera and the Riesling are the must-tries.