Tiefenbrunner - Schlosskellerei Turmhof

Being the only son and with five sisters his role to continue and further develop the family winery was predestined. Growing up in these surroundings full of history and tradition while watching and helping his father Herbert in the cellar fuelled his passion for wine. After concluding the high school for agriculture and commerce, he started an internship in Tuscany at the winery Castello di Volpaia which was truly inspirational. This formative time and experiencing of new winemaking styles encouraged him to differ from what was the general winemaking approach in Südtirol/Alto Adige and to introduce a new stylistic to the winery portfolio including a Chardonnay Riserva fully matured in barrique barrels as well as a Cuvée blend of Bordeaux varieties. Joining the family winery full-time in 1983, his responsibilities shifted to marketing and sales until gradually becoming the managing director. Nevertheless, he continued to consult his father Herbert in the winemaking process and defined the respective wine stylistic in a joint effort as he continues to do with the current oenologist Stephan Rohregger.

Coming from a small winegrowing family himself, Stephan knew from an early age on that winemaking was the field he wanted to work in. To pursue his dream, he studied oenology at the “Geißenheim University” in Germany where he graduated in 2005. With 27 years old he assumed the position as winemaker at the Tiefenbrunner winery. Ever since he practices in accordance with the winerry’s philosophy with great sensitivity to unfold the specific characteristics of the individual varieties and the terroir they grow on to the highest possible degree.

Born in a period upheaval, Herbert grew up as second oldest of four brothers. After pursuing his 3-year wine degree at “San Michele – Instituto Agrario”, the circumstances obliged him to assume the responsibility to become the sole winemaker of the estate with only 15 years old. He rose to the challenge and proceeded with dedication and hard work for more than 60 years. One of the major milestones of his career is visionary idea to plant a single vineyard of Müller-Thurgau on 1.000 m.a.s.l. at the Fennberg mountain in 1972. While high altitude vineyards are a big trend in Südtirol/Alto Adige nowadays, he was doubted and even laughed at for his pioneering spirit back then. The Success however proved his critics wrong. The first vintage of FELDMARSCHALL VON FENNER 1974 was excellent and continued to be one of the winery’s flagship wines to this day.