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-alte-reben-vernatsch, 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. Kellermeister Thomas Scarizuola took over in March 2023 after Andrea Moser's nine-year tenure.
Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation; the Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore is a long-standing cooperative Schiava expression.
Signature wines: quintessenz-kalterersee, 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.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Lagrein, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewuerztraminer160 haFounded 1932Cooperative of approximately 138 grower familiesOltradige
Formed by the 1985 merger of the Nals (1932) and Margreid cooperatives. 138 grower families farm 160 hectares across 14 vineyard parcels between Nals in the central Adige valley and Magre in the south, giving an unusually wide altitude and exposure spread.
Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation, including the Baron Salvadori Pinot Bianco and Sirmian crus.
Signature wines: sirmian-pinot-bianco, baron-salvadori-pinot-bianco-riserva, mantele-sauvignon, berg-cassiano-pinot-nero-riserva
Tip: Berg Cassiano Pinot Nero from the southern Magre vineyards is a value alternative to the Mazon icons.
DOC Alto Adige Valle IsarcoSylvaner, Kerner, Mueller-Thurgau, Gewuerztraminer, Riesling, Gruener Veltliner, Pinot Grigio140 haFounded 1961Cooperative of approximately 130 grower families across 11 communesValle Isarco
Founded in 1961 in Chiusa, a Valle Isarco cooperative for white wine. 130 grower families across 11 communes farm 140 hectares between 300 and 900 metres on glacial-gravel soils; Sylvaner and Kerner are the historic specialities, with Aristos and Praepositus the selection lines.
Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation in Chiusa, with focus on the Aristos and Praepositus selection ranges.
Signature wines: aristos-sylvaner, aristos-kerner, aristos-gewurztraminer, praepositus-sylvaner, praepositus-kerner
Tip: The Aristos Sylvaner is the easiest cellar-door introduction to the grape's mineral profile; book the Sylvaner-themed tasting that adds Pacherhof and Strasserhof comparisons.
DOC Alto Adige MeraneseSchiava, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Lagrein, Pinot Noir260 haFounded 2010Cooperative of approximately 400 grower familiesMeranese
Formed in 2010 by the merger of Cantina Vini Merano (1952) and Cantina Burggraefler (1901). Around 400 grower families farm 260 hectares of vineyard on the porphyry slopes around Merano, producing about 1 million bottles annually; the panoramic cellar at Marlengo is a marquee Wine Road visit.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the Marlengo panoramic Enoteca; second tasting point at the Merano City.Vinothek under the Portici arcades.
Signature wines: festival-pinot-bianco, graf-von-meran-pinot-bianco, schickenburg-schiava, graf-von-meran-pinot-grigio
Tip: The panoramic Enoteca at Marlengo has a roof terrace with full Texel-range views; pair the Schickenburg Schiava with Speck and local apple cake.
