Hans Rottensteiner

“To produce an absolutely outstanding Santa Maddalena from the grapes of the Premstallerhof estate, working in perfect harmony with nature,” this was Gertrud Vogel’s dream when at the beginning of the new millennium she decided to personally take charge of the family estate in Santa Maddalena. And this is also the objective that enologist Hannes Rottensteiner set for himself. The outcome? A selection of Santa Maddalena grown in the Premstallerhof estate’s best areas which seduces with its diversity, concentration, and complexity.

South Tyrol Pinot Noirs were nominated among the best Pinot Noirs of Italy many times, even among the best outside of Burgundy. This can be attributed to a land so rich in different slopes and soils, such that good conditions prevail for even the most difficult of varieties like the Pinot Noir.

Cabernet is one of the most famous varieties in the world. In South Tyrol, it was introduced approximately 160 years ago, and our valley beds are very suitable for this variety.

The Schiava is one of the most traditional wines from South Tyrol. Recently, it has become increasingly popular as a quality wine.

It is assumed that the Romans brought this variety to South Tyrol in 15 BC.

The Gewürztraminer is one of the wines that made famous the wine region of South Tyrol throughout Italy. The extreme aromaticity and exciting structure make it such a unique wine.

The Pinot Blanc arrived in South Tyrol ca. 150 years ago, together with the other Pinot varieties. Only the Pinot Blanc had great success since the beginning and has become the most important white wine variety of the region.

150 years ago, Archduke Johann of Austria brought this variety to South Tyrol. In the meantime this variety is homelike in the whole region.

We faced ourselves the challenge to create a young, modern and easy-going white cuvee – lightly aromatic and most of all pleasant. 2017 we present KITZ the first time on the market.

150 years ago, Archduke Johann of Austria brought this variety to South Tyrol. Today the Isarco Valley is one of the best white wine regions in Italy.

Starting from its place of birth in the village Termeno (Tramin) in the southern South Tyrol, this variety conquered almost the whole world. Still, it shows its best characteristics in its home country, with its typical spicy (cloves), floral (roses) and fruity (lychee) notes.

Produced for the first time in 1999, our “Cresta” has created a stir since its inception, which is evidenced by the many awards and distinctions at national and international wine competitions.

The Kalterersee Auslese is one of the best known wines of South Tyrol – and in the meantime, way better than its reputation. The times of the huge harvests are over, and the Kalterersee has become an elegant, fruity and light red. Only the best grapes can be used for the Auslese (= Selection), and strict regulation ensures its quality.

Although the Pinot Grigio is a relative of the Pinot Bianco, they are yet quite different – not only because of the copper-coloured berries of the Pinot Grigio, but also because of the characteristics of the wines. The Pinot Grigio is more complex, with more intense colour and notes of banana, vanilla and spices.

The Chardonnay was known for a long time as a “yellow“ Pinot Blanc and was usually mixed with the normal Pinot Blanc. In the meantime the variety showed that it is able to stand alone as an excellent wine in our region.

What would Mr Müller have said, if he knew about the huge success his new variety had? After all, it is the most common German variety, and also it plays an important role in South Tyrol.

Santa Maddalena maybe is the best area for wine in the entire South Tyrol. In 1941, the St. Magdalener was nominated – together with Barbaresco and Barolo – as one of the three wines of Italy. Schiava grapes, together with 4 – 5 % of Lagrein, comprise the St. Magdalener. As this Lagrein is cultivated in the same vineyard as the Schiava grapes and they are harvested together, it can be integrated from the beginning, making for a perfect harmony.

The Pinot Noir has been cultivated in South Tyrol for approximately 150 years, and it feels very comfortable in this area. South Tyrol’s Pinot Noirs are among the best in Italy and they have also drawn attention to themselves at international tastings. Tough, the Pinot Noir is a very difficult variety, with demanding requirements from the soil and the climate, reacting very sensitively in excessive productions and demanding the highest attention in the cellar.

The Lagrein is one of the oldest varieties from South Tyrol. In the past, this wine was produced mainly as a Rosé. Since the 1980’s onward, the “dark” version prevailed.

The St. Magdalener is one of the most famous wines of South Tyrol. Traditionally, the two varieties Schiava and Lagrein are planted together in the same vineyard.

The Lagrein is an autochthonous variety from South Tyrol and for certain one of the flagships of the local wine-scene. The warm climate of the Bolzano basin, the deep sedimentary soils, much work and passion in the vineyards, vouch for the success in the production of a full bodied, complex, red wine.

The Pinot Blanc is one of the most common white varieties of South Tyrol. For a long time it was undervalued, as a common white wine for taverns. Only in the last ten years it was rediscovered as a fresh, fruity and salty wine.

Actually, the Rosé is the traditional form of the Lagrein. The grapes were pressed and then drawn off a basket called “Kretz”. In the 1980’s, the Rosé suffered a decline, but nowadays it is reliving a great Renaissance.

This international variety was introduced in South Tyrol by Archduke Johann of Austria. It needs very warm terroir to mature completely.