DOC Alto Adige Santa Maddalena, DOC Alto Adige Lagrein di GriesLagrein, Schiava, Pinot Bianco, Gewuerztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc12 haFounded 1956Rottensteiner family (Hannes Rottensteiner)Bolzano
Founded in 1956 in Bolzano and now run by the third-generation Hannes Rottensteiner. The estate's Lagrein and St. Magdalener bottlings, especially the Select Lagrein Gries Riserva, are the cellar's signature.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the cellar on Via Sarentino in Bolzano; focused Lagrein and Santa Maddalena flights.
Signature wines: select-lagrein-gries-riserva, lagrein-riserva, premstallerhof-santa-maddalena, cresta-pinot-bianco
Tip: Easy walking distance from central Bolzano; pair the tasting with a Lagrein-and-Speck Stube lunch in Gries.
DOC Alto Adige Santa Maddalena, DOC Alto AdigeLagrein, Schiava, Gewuerztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot8 haFounded 1979Loacker family (Rainer and Hayo Loacker)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDBolzano
Established in 1979 by Rainer Loacker on the Schwarhof and Kohlerhof estates at 500 to 550 metres in the Santa Maddalena zone above Bolzano. The family pioneered biodynamic farming in Alto Adige (treatments by biodynamic and homeopathic protocols since the late 1970s); the Gran Lareyn Lagrein Riserva is the flagship red.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at Schwarhof above Bolzano in the Santa Maddalena zone.
Signature wines: gran-lareyn-lagrein-riserva, morit-santa-maddalena, atagis-gewurztraminer, tasnim-sauvignon
Tip: The Loacker family also farms in Montalcino and Maremma; ask about the trans-estate vertical tastings when visiting Schwarhof.
DOC Alto AdigeSchiava, Lagrein, Gewuerztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc4 haFounded 2008Gojer family (Martin and Marion Gojer)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDBolzano
Martin and Marion Gojer run a 4-hectare biodynamic natural-wine estate on steep slopes around the Bolzano valley basin. Manual harvest, spontaneous fermentation, extended lees contact, no fining or filtration and minimal sulphur define the cellar; old vines of Schiava, Lagrein and Gewuerztraminer drive the range.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the small estate above Bolzano; natural-wine focus.
Signature wines: tonsur, caroline, miau, vernatsch
Tip: Pranzegg is a well-known natural-wine grower in Alto Adige; the Miau and Tonsur cuvees punch well above their tiny allocation.
DOC Alto Adige Lago di CaldaroSchiava, Lagrein, Pinot Bianco, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato Rosa, Merlot30 haFounded 1851Counts of Kuenburg (since 1851)Lago di Caldaro
An historic estate above Lake Caldaro, owned by the Counts of Kuenburg since 1851. The 30 hectares span three vineyards (Preyhof, Leisenhof, Seehof); the Moscato Rosa is a regional speciality and the Bischofsleiten Lagrein Riserva the structured red flagship.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic castle estate above Lake Caldaro; also hotel + event venue.
Signature wines: bischofsleiten-lagrein-riserva, moscato-rosa, kalterersee-classico, imperial-cabernet-merlot
Tip: Stay overnight at the Castel Sallegg estate hotel; the Moscato Rosa makes an unusual after-dinner pairing with apple strudel.
DOC Alto AdigeSchiava, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Resistenten varieties (Solaris, Bronner, Souvignier Gris)5 haFounded 1993Morandell family (Werner Morandell)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDLago di Caldaro
Werner Morandell's organic estate in Caldaro has been producing wine since 1993 across vineyards rising from 250 metres at Lake Caldaro to 1250 metres in the Dolomites. The on-site vine museum trail showcases 350 international grape varieties; the cellar produces a Julian Orange skin-contact white among the experimental cuvees.
Tasting: Reservation tastings and apartments at the Caldaro estate; the South Tyrolean Vine Museum educational trail with 350 grape varieties runs through the property.
Signature wines: julian-orange, lieselehof-pinot-bianco, solaris, schiava
Tip: The vine educational trail is a viable rainy-day visit and uniquely informative on disease-resistant Piwi varieties.
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.
