DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Gewuerztraminer, Pinot Noir, Schiava390 haFounded 1907Cooperative of approximately 320 grower familiesOltradige
Founded in 1907 in Appiano, named Cooperative Winery of the Year 2021 by Gambero Rosso. Around 320 grower families farm 390 hectares between 250 and 900 metres; production is 80 percent white.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the cellar in Appiano; flagship Sanct Valentin range and the Appius cuvee headline.
Signature wines: Sanct Valentin Pinot Bianco, Sanct Valentin Sauvignon Blanc, Sanct Valentin Pinot Nero Riserva, Appius, Sanct Valentin Gewurztraminer
Tip: Appius is a small-allocation prestige release; check the schedule and book the focused Sanct Valentin tasting.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Lagrein, Gewuerztraminer300 haFounded 1960Cooperative of approximately 300 grower familiesOltradige
Founded in 1960 in Cornaiano under co-founder Luis Raifer, whose initials live on in the LR cuvee. The 300-member cooperative farms 300 hectares; the Lafoa line (Cabernet, Sauvignon, Pinot Nero) is the historic quality flagship, with Gran Lafoa the top tier.
Tasting: Reservation tastings include the Lafoa, Cornell and Gran Lafoa selection ranges.
Signature wines: Lafoa Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva, Lafoa Sauvignon Blanc, Cornell Chardonnay, Gran Lafoa Cabernet, Lafoa Pinot Noir
Tip: Lafoa Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the first Alto Adige reds to demonstrate that the region could ripen Cabernet seriously; the vertical tasting is worth the appointment.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Noir, Pinot Bianco, Schiava, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Lagrein230 haFounded 1923Cooperative of approximately 200 grower familiesCornaiano
Founded in 1923 in a 16th-century farmstead, 200 members farm 230 hectares across Ueberetsch and Bassa Atesina under winemaker Gerhard Kofler.
Tasting: Vinotheque tastings on reservation in a 16th-century farmstead in Cornaiano.
Signature wines: Trattmann Pinot Nero Riserva, Vigna Ganger Pinot Nero, Gschleier Alte Reben Vernatsch, Flora Pinot Bianco, Fass 9 Lagrein Riserva
Tip: Gschleier is one of the few serious old-vine Schiavas in Italy; pair it with Schluetzkrapfen at a Stube in Cornaiano.
DOC Alto AdigeCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lagrein, Gewuerztraminer, Mueller-Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio190 haFounded 1900Cooperative of approximately 190 grower familiesCortaccia
Founded in 1900 in Cortaccia, the southernmost Wine Road commune. 190 members farm 190 hectares from 220 to 900 metres altitude; the Brenntal vineyards (warm valley floor) yield Merlot and Gewuerztraminer Riserva, while the higher Penon and Kofl crus give precise Sauvignon and Pinot Bianco.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic cellar in Cortaccia, including the Brenntal and Penon-Kofl cru ranges.
Signature wines: Brenntal Merlot Riserva, Brenntal Gewurztraminer Riserva, Sonntaler Vernatsch Alte Reben, Penon Kofl Sauvignon, Penon Hofstatt Weissburgunder
Tip: Cortaccia Rossa is the village's Cabernet collective; ask which Cortaccia producers participate.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Schiava, Pinot Noir, Gewuerztraminer175 haFounded 1907Cooperative of approximately 150 grower familiesOltradige
Founded in 1907 in St. Pauls, a hamlet of Eppan/Appiano on the Ueberetsch ridge. Around 150 grower families farm 175 hectares (one hectare per family on average) on dolomite-limestone slopes; the Exclusiv and Passion selection ranges anchor the portfolio.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the cellar in the hamlet of St. Pauls / San Paolo.
Signature wines: Exclusiv Pinot Bianco, Passion Sauvignon, Exclusiv Pinot Noir, Pulpo Bianco
Tip: Smaller-scale and quieter than the big-name cooperative neighbours; the St. Pauls hamlet itself is a postcard-perfect stop on the Wine Road.
DOC Alto Adige Lago di Caldaro ClassicoSchiava, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Lagrein, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio420 haFounded 1900Cooperative of approximately 530 grower familiesLago di Caldaro
Founded in 1900 around Lake Caldaro, the warmest lake in the Alps. Around 530 grower families farm 420 hectares; the Quintessenz selection line includes the Kalterersee Classico Superiore.
Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation; the Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore is a long-standing cooperative Schiava expression.
Signature wines: Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore, Quintessenz Pinot Bianco, Saltner Lagrein Riserva, Punkt Rosato
Tip: Combine the cellar tasting with a swim in Lake Caldaro and lunch in Kaltern village; the lake-side vineyards are walking distance from the cellar.
