DOC Alto Adige Lago di CaldaroSauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewuerztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lagrein50 haFounded 1608Goess-Enzenberg familyBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDLago di Caldaro
Founded in 1608 by Hieronymus Manincor Ehrenhausen; the residence and 50 hectares of vineyards above Lake Caldaro have been farmed biodynamically since 2005 and certified biodynamic under respekt-BIODYN since 2009 by the Goess-Enzenberg family. Lieben Aich Sauvignon Blanc and Mason Pinot Nero are the cellar's defining cuvees. Count Michael Goess-Enzenberg founded the respekt-BIODYN biodynamic association in 2007.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the 1608 Manincor Residence above Lake Caldaro; the cellar is partly carved into the rock.
Signature wines: lieben-aich-sauvignon, mason-pinot-nero, reserve-della-contessa, castel-campan-cabernet-merlot, moscato-rosa-le-petit
Tip: The cellar is partly underground; combine the tour with a swim in the lake just below the residence.
DOC Alto Adige Lagrein di GriesLagrein, Pinot Noir, Schiava, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewuerztraminer35 haFounded 1845Benedictine Monastery of Muri-GriesBolzano
The Benedictine monastery cellar in Gries (Bolzano), continuously operating since the monks of Muri (Switzerland) relocated to Gries in 1845. 35 hectares in the best Bolzano sites yield the Lagrein Abtei Muri Riserva, alongside Cantina Bolzano Taber a regional Gries Lagrein.
Tasting: Reservation tastings inside the Benedictine monastery complex in Gries.
Signature wines: lagrein-abtei-muri-riserva, lagrein-gries, klosteranger-pinot-nero, lagrein-rosato
Tip: The monastery courtyard tasting feels nothing like a commercial winery; book early in the day before the religious community's afternoon hours.
DOC Alto Adige Valle IsarcoSylvaner, Kerner, Mueller-Thurgau, Gruener Veltliner, Riesling, Gewuerztraminer, Pinot Grigio76 haFounded 1142Augustinian Monastery of NovacellaValle Isarco
Augustinian monastery winery founded in 1142 and continuously producing wine for the abbey since then. The canons farm 76 hectares around Vahrn-Neustift for white Valle Isarco wines and supplement with red-wine vineyards near Bolzano. Praepositus is the abbey's selection range.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the abbey, paired with a guided visit of the Romanesque cloister and library.
Signature wines: praepositus-sylvaner, praepositus-kerner, praepositus-gruner-veltliner, praepositus-gewurztraminer, alto-adige-valle-isarco-sylvaner
Tip: Combine the cellar tasting with a tour of the monastery library and the courtyard well; the abbey is a working religious community as well as a winery.
DOC Alto Adige Valle IsarcoSylvaner, Gruener Veltliner, Kerner, Mueller-Thurgau, Gewuerztraminer, Riesling6 haFounded 976Kerschbaumer family (Guenther Kerschbaumer)Valle Isarco
Records date the Koefererhof back to 976. Today Guenther and Gaby Kerschbaumer farm 6 hectares between 700 and 800 metres above Brixen on sandy moraine, producing Sylvaner, Kerner, Mueller-Thurgau and Gruener Veltliner that consistently appear on best-of-Italy white-wine lists.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic Hof above Brixen; small-scale white-wine focus.
Signature wines: sylvaner, kerner, gruner-veltliner, mueller-thurgau
Tip: The estate's tiny scale means tastings book out months ahead; reach out by email before planning travel.
DOC Alto Adige Valle IsarcoSylvaner, Riesling, Gruener Veltliner, Gewuerztraminer5 haFounded 1990Pliger family (Peter and Brigitte Pliger)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDValle Isarco
Peter and Brigitte Pliger bottled their first vintage in 1990 above Brixen at Kuenhof, the Valle Isarco grower-estate. 5 hectares of organic vineyards on Eisacktal slopes produce Sylvaner Kaiton, Riesling Kaiton and the rare Gewuerztraminer from the valley's far north.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the family Hof above Brixen; very limited release sizes.
Signature wines: sylvaner-kaiton, riesling-kaiton, gruner-veltliner, gewurztraminer
Tip: The Kaiton Sylvaner consistently lands at the top of Eisacktal Sylvaner tastings; allocations are minimal so buy what you can at the cellar.
DOC Alto Adige Valle IsarcoSylvaner, Kerner, Gruener Veltliner, Mueller-Thurgau, Gewuerztraminer7 haFounded 1981Baumgartner family (Hannes Baumgartner)Valle Isarco
Hannes Baumgartner farms 7 hectares on the slopes around Novacella, with cellar walls dating back to the 11th century. The estate produces principally white wines from Eisacktal classics: Sylvaner, Kerner, Gruener Veltliner and Mueller-Thurgau.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Hof in Unterrain near Novacella; white-wine focus.
Signature wines: sylvaner, kerner, gruner-veltliner, muller-thurgau
Tip: Strasserhof's Kerner shows the Valle Isarco's signature steel-fruited style; ask about the cooperative cellar tour they sometimes run with Novacella.
