DOC Alto AdigeGewuerztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Schiava, Lagrein, Pinot Noir260 haFounded 1898Cooperative (Soc. Agr. Coop) of approximately 300 grower familiesBassa Atesina
Founded in 1898 in Tramin, the homeland village of Gewurztraminer. The cooperative's roughly 300 members farm 260 hectares across Tramin, Auer, Montan and Neumarkt; cellar master Willi Sturz produces the Nussbaumer and Terminum Gewurztraminer cuvées.
Tasting: Guided cellar tours and tastings on reservation at the contemporary cellar building on the Wine Road.
Signature wines: Nussbaumer Gewurztraminer, Terminum Gewurztraminer Vendemmia Tardiva, Epokale Gewurztraminer Spaetlese, Stoan, Freisinger Pinot Grigio
Tip: Book ahead in harvest season; the Gewuerztraminer-themed tasting compares Classic, Nussbaumer and Terminum side by side.
DOC Alto Adige TerlanoPinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Lagrein, Pinot Noir, Mueller-Thurgau190 haFounded 1893Cooperative (1893) of approximately 143 grower familiesOltradige
Founded in 1893 by 24 growers on Terlano's quartz-porphyry slopes. Today around 143 members and 190 hectares produce 1.5 million bottles a year under winemaker Rudi Kofler, including Vorberg Pinot Bianco Riserva and the Rarita library releases that demonstrate Pinot Bianco's 20 to 40 year ageing potential.
Tasting: Reservation tastings include vertical flights of Vorberg Pinot Bianco Riserva and access to the Rarita library releases (10-plus years on lees).
Signature wines: Terlaner I Primo Grande Cuvee, Rarita Pinot Bianco, Vorberg Pinot Bianco Riserva, Nova Domus Riserva, Quarz Sauvignon Blanc
Tip: Ask about the Rarita library tasting: late-disgorged Pinot Bianco from the 1970s and 1980s, released annually in small allocations.
DOC Alto Adige Santa Maddalena, DOC Alto Adige Lagrein di GriesLagrein, Schiava, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay350 haFounded 2001Cooperative (formed 2001 by merger of Cantina Gries 1908 and Cantina Santa Maddalena 1930)Bolzano
Bolzano's anchor cooperative, formed in 2001 by the merger of the historic Gries (1908) and Santa Maddalena (1930) cellars. Roughly 224 members farm 350 hectares across Gries, Santa Maddalena, Renon and Settequerce; chief winemaker Stephan Filippi has overseen the Gries Lagrein programme for over three decades.
Tasting: ClimateHouse-certified cellar at the gateway to Bolzano; reservation tastings include Taber Lagrein Riserva and Mock Lagrein verticals.
Signature wines: Taber Lagrein Riserva, Mock Lagrein, Huck am Bach Santa Maddalena Classico, Moeg Pinot Bianco, Perl Pinot Noir Riserva
Tip: Taber Lagrein Riserva is the city's flagship red; ask for a Gries vineyard tour to see the sandy alluvial fan where Lagrein thrives.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Lagrein, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Schiava90 haFounded 1893Cooperative (1893), allied with Cantina Terlano since 2008Oltradige
Founded in 1893 in Andriano, allied with Cantina Terlano since 2008 while preserving its own vineyards. Around 50 members farm 90 hectares on calcareous-clay soils; the Andrius Pinot Bianco and Tor di Lupo Lagrein Riserva are the flagship cuvees.
Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation; small-scale producer (1893-founded) with a Pinot Bianco focus.
Signature wines: Andrius Pinot Bianco, Floreado Sauvignon, Tor di Lupo Lagrein Riserva, Anderle Cabernet Merlot
Tip: The Terlano alliance means you can buy Andrian and Terlano wines from the same cellar; the small Andrian operation focuses on single-vineyard expression.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Gewuerztraminer, Pinot Noir, Schiava390 haFounded 1907Cooperative of approximately 320 grower familiesOltradige
Founded in 1907 in Appiano, named Cooperative Winery of the Year 2021 by Gambero Rosso. Around 320 grower families farm 390 hectares between 250 and 900 metres; production is 80 percent white.
Tasting: Reservation tastings at the cellar in Appiano; flagship Sanct Valentin range and the Appius cuvee headline.
Signature wines: Sanct Valentin Pinot Bianco, Sanct Valentin Sauvignon Blanc, Sanct Valentin Pinot Nero Riserva, Appius, Sanct Valentin Gewurztraminer
Tip: Appius is a small-allocation prestige release; check the schedule and book the focused Sanct Valentin tasting.
DOC Alto AdigePinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Lagrein, Gewuerztraminer300 haFounded 1960Cooperative of approximately 300 grower familiesOltradige
Founded in 1960 in Cornaiano under co-founder Luis Raifer, whose initials live on in the LR cuvee. The 300-member cooperative farms 300 hectares; the Lafoa line (Cabernet, Sauvignon, Pinot Nero) is the historic quality flagship, with Gran Lafoa the top tier.
Tasting: Reservation tastings include the Lafoa, Cornell and Gran Lafoa selection ranges.
Signature wines: Lafoa Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva, Lafoa Sauvignon Blanc, Cornell Chardonnay, Gran Lafoa Cabernet, Lafoa Pinot Noir
Tip: Lafoa Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the first Alto Adige reds to demonstrate that the region could ripen Cabernet seriously; the vertical tasting is worth the appointment.
