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.
DOC Alto AdigeMueller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Lagrein, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir77 haFounded 1675Tiefenbrunner family (5th and 6th generation)Cortaccia
A castle estate in Entiklar (Cortaccia) run by the Tiefenbrunner family for 5 to 6 generations on grounds dating back over 800 years. 77 hectares of vineyard culminate in the Feldmarschall von Fenner Mueller-Thurgau, planted on the high Penon-Fennberg plateau at around 1000 metres.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at Castel Turmhof in Entiklar, including the Linticlarus and Vigna ranges and the high-altitude Feldmarschall.
Signature wines: feldmarschall-von-fenner, linticlarus-cabernet-riserva, linticlarus-pinot-nero-riserva, vigna-rachtl-sauvignon, linticlarus-chardonnay
Tip: Castel Turmhof has a restaurant and Wein-Stube; book lunch alongside the tasting for the full Cortaccia experience.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Noir, Gewuerztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Lagrein, Mueller-Thurgau, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc50 haFounded 1907Foradori-Hofstaetter family (Martin Foradori Hofstaetter)Bassa Atesina
Founded in 1907 in Tramin and run by Martin Foradori Hofstaetter, the family produces Italian Pinot Noir from the Mazon plateau. Vigna S. Urbano is the single-vineyard flagship; the estate also bottles Gewurztraminer from the Kolbenhof vineyard.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic cellar in Tramin's main square; Pinot Noir verticals featuring Mazon and Vigna S. Urbano are the headline.
Signature wines: barthenau-vigna-s-urbano-pinot-nero, mazon-pinot-nero-riserva, kolbenhof-gewurztraminer, yngram-pinot-bianco-riserva, barthenau-vigna-roccolo-pinot-bianco
Tip: Hofstaetter introduced the Vigna single-vineyard designation to Alto Adige in 1987; their Mazon and Vigna S. Urbano verticals are an essential tasting.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewuerztraminer, Lagrein55 haFounded 1823Lageder family (Alois Clemens Lageder)Demeter CertifiedDEMETERBassa Atesina
Founded in 1823 in Bolzano and based at Toer Loewengang in Magre since 1934. The Lageder family farms 55 hectares biodynamically (Demeter-certified since 2008) and sources additional Demeter and organic grapes from around 60 partner growers across 85 hectares. Cor Roemigberg Cabernet and Krafuss Pinot Nero are the flagship reds; Porer Pinot Grigio brought skin-contact orange-style winemaking into the regional mainstream.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at Toer Loewengang in Magre; the Paradeis bistro adjacent to the cellar pairs the wines with seasonal cuisine.
Signature wines: krafuss-pinot-nero, cor-romigberg-cabernet, lehenhof-sauvignon, porer-pinot-grigio, beta-delta-cuvee
Tip: The Paradeis bistro shares the cellar building and is open for lunch most days; book the biodynamic-focused vineyard walk that visits the Loewengang vineyard.
DOC Alto AdigeGewuerztraminer, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Lagrein65 haFounded 1869Walch family (Elena, Karoline and Julia Walch)Bassa Atesina
Founded in 1869 and modernised by Elena Walch from 1985 onward. The family farms 65 hectares between Tramin and Castel Ringberg on Lake Caldaro, including the famous Kastelaz vineyard (63 degree slope) for Gewuerztraminer and Vigna Castel Ringberg for Chardonnay Riserva. VIVA sustainability-certified since 2024.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the 17th-century cellar in Tramin; the Castel Ringberg estate on Lake Caldaro adds a second visit point.
Signature wines: beyond-the-clouds, kastelaz-gewurztraminer, castel-ringberg-chardonnay-riserva, aton-pinot-nero-riserva, 20-anniversarium-cabernet
Tip: Castel Ringberg is the single-vineyard monopole; book the dual-cellar tasting that includes Kastelaz Gewuerztraminer and the Beyond the Clouds white blend.
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.
