DOC Alto Adige Lago di CaldaroPinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Schiava, Merlot, Syrah, Lagrein12 haFounded 1989Niedrist family (Ignaz Niedrist)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDCornaiano
Ignaz Niedrist's family has been growing grapes since 1870; he started home-pressing in 1989. 12 organic hectares between 450 and 650 metres across Girlan, Eppan Berg, Caldaro and Gries supply Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Schiava, Merlot, Syrah and Lagrein for a low-intervention small-production range.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Hof in Rungg above Cornaiano.
Signature wines: berger-gei-pinot-nero, berger-gei-sauvignon, ries-lagrein, lago-di-caldaro-superiore
Tip: The Berger Gei single-vineyard cuvees show what 600 metres of altitude does to Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc; book the comparison flight.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Lagrein, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Schiava12 haFounded 1325Brigl family (Florian Brigl)Oltradige
An estate documented since 1325, owned by the Brigl family at the foot of Greifenstein castle in Settequerce. 12 hectares across porphyry and limestone slopes for Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc and Lagrein; the Patricia and Florianus single-vineyard ranges anchor the portfolio.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the Kornellhof in Settequerce, just outside Bolzano.
Signature wines: patricia-pinot-bianco, florianus-lagrein-riserva, kerin-sauvignon, patricia-pinot-nero
Tip: Easy day-trip from Bolzano (about 10 minutes north); pair with a hike to the Greifenstein castle ruins above the vineyards.
DOC Alto Adige MeranesePinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Schiava, Pinot Noir, Gewuerztraminer4 haFounded 1998Tutzer family (Erhart Tutzer and Herta Schaefer)Meranese
Erhart Tutzer and Herta Schaefer converted a fruit farm above Marlengo into a 4-hectare vineyard estate, with slopes up to 40 percent gradient. White cuvees combining Sauvignon, Riesling and Pinot Bianco are the cellar's calling card; the cellar also produces a Meranese sparkling wine.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the steep-slope estate above Marling; sparkling wine specialism alongside the still range.
Signature wines: weisscuvee-sauvignon-pinot, schiava, pinot-bianco, riesling
Tip: The estate doubles as a viewpoint over the Adige valley; book the tasting before lunch and stay for the Meranese Schiava with Speck.
DOC Alto Adige Lago di CaldaroSchiava, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewuerztraminer, Lagrein, Pinot Grigio15 haFounded 1986Roner familyLago di Caldaro
An estate winery on the Wine Road in Caldaro, founded 1986 and run by the Roner family. 15 hectares around Lake Caldaro produce Schiava-led whites and reds with a strong restaurant programme attached.
Tasting: Reservation tastings and shop on the Wine Road in Caldaro; also a vineyard restaurant.
Signature wines: lago-di-caldaro-classico-superiore, ritterhof-paratus-sauvignon, rierhof-pinot-bianco, ritterhof-manus-lagrein-riserva
Tip: The Wine Road location makes Ritterhof a logical lunch stop between Tramin and Caldaro; the restaurant pairs Schiava with locally-cured Speck.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewuerztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Mueller-Thurgau6 haFounded 1997Prackwieser family (Markus Prackwieser)Bolzano
Markus Prackwieser farms 6 hectares around Fie allo Sciliar between 450 and 700 metres, on the dolomite slopes east of Bolzano. The Praesulis range showcases Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Nero from one of Alto Adige's higher producing zones; the Renaissance Pinot Grigio is the cellar's signature white.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Hof above Voels am Schlern; high-altitude focus.
Signature wines: praesulis-sauvignon, praesulis-pinot-nero, renaissance-pinot-grigio, freres-pinot-nero
Tip: Combine the tasting with a hike at Alpe di Siusi above the estate; very few wineries operate at this Dolomites altitude.
DOC Alto Adige Val VenostaRiesling, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Noir, Mueller-Thurgau6 haFounded 1992Aurich family + Reinhold Messner (castle owner)Vinschgau
Beneath Castel Juval (owned by mountaineer Reinhold Messner), Martin Aurich farms 6 hectares between 600 and 900 metres on Val Venosta granite-gneiss soils. Riesling and Pinot Bianco are the cellar's specialty, with the high-altitude Windbichel Pinot Nero adding range.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the estate beneath Castel Juval; high-altitude Val Venosta classics.
Signature wines: riesling-castel-juval, windbichel-pinot-nero, pinot-bianco, muller-thurgau
Tip: Combine the cellar visit with the Reinhold Messner mountaineering museum at Castel Juval, accessible by guided tour in season.
