Winemaker Notes
The Augustinian Canons Regular monastery of Neustift is located in the northern-most winegrowing region on the southern side of the Alps. The mineral-rich soils, the elevation (1,970 ft – 2,950 ft) and the cool climate are all factors which explain the intense aromas and flavours as well as fruity, mouth-watering acidity found in our wines produced from the typical white Eisack Valley grape varieties. The long drawn-out ripening period extending well into the autumn is crucial. The most widely-grown vines in our vineyards around Vahrn just north of Brixen are Sylvaner, Kerner, Gewürztraminer and Veltliner.
The monastery also owns vineyards in the warm central region of South Tyrol which supply the red grapes. They include the full-bodied, savoury Lagrein from the Mariaheim vineyard in Bolzano/Bozen and red wines from the Marklhof estate in the cool rolling hills of Girlan to the south of Bolzano where the grapes are harvested, crushed and the wines matured. The wines include Vernatsch, Pinot Noir and the lusciously sweet Rosenmuskateller ('Rose Muscat', the name deriving from the variety's typical scent of roses).
With over 850 years of experience coupled with state-of-the-art winemaking technology, top-class expertise and the enormous enthusiasm the wines generate among our employees, we succeed in producing wines bursting with flavour and varietal character year after year, to the joy of wine-lovers worldwide.
Wine by Region › Italy › Trentino-Alto Adige › Alto Adige
Taking full advantage of direct sunlight exposure on its steep slopes, many of Alto Adige’s best vineyards are planted at extreme altitude... read more
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”