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.
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.
