Wine in Cornaiano, Alto Adige

Cantina Girlan ★ 4.7

Founded in 1923 in a 16th-century farmstead, 200 members farm 230 hectares across Ueberetsch and Bassa Atesina under winemaker Gerhard Kofler.

Tasting: Vinotheque tastings on reservation in a 16th-century farmstead in Cornaiano.

Signature wines: Trattmann Pinot Nero Riserva, Vigna Ganger Pinot Nero, Gschleier Alte Reben Vernatsch, Flora Pinot Bianco, Fass 9 Lagrein Riserva

Tip: Gschleier is one of the few serious old-vine Schiavas in Italy; pair it with Schluetzkrapfen at a Stube in Cornaiano.

Ignaz Niedrist ★ 4.6

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.

Weingut Ignaz Niedrist ★ 4.7

Cornaiano family estate, 11 hectares across three Oltradige sites. Pinot Nero specialist with single-vineyard Pinot Bianco. Around 50,000 bottles.

Tip: The Berger Gei single-vineyard Pinot Bianco and the Vom Kalk Pinot Nero are the estate's twin headlines. Cellar visits are by appointment and personal.