Terroir
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Alto Adige
The mountainous community of Alto Adige is a land of many contrasts. Nature influences all aspects of daily life here. This is a place where age-old artisan knowledge meets the avant-garde in architecture, business, and culture. As the most northern wine-producing region in Italy, it is mainly agricultural but offers an undeniable central-European vibe. The imposing Dolomite mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a leisurely Mediterranean feel blend beautifully with the rigor and dedication of the Alpine people to make this region unique. The mountain farmers who live here are the guardians of tradition yet have the courage to experiment. This same spirit is reflected in Kettmeir winemaking.
The Vineyards of Alto Adige
Views from the top of the hill reveal the valley below. The sun glints off the surface of Lake Caldaro, a charming break in the strictly regimented rows of vines that stretch out to the horizon. Surrounded by hills and watched over by distant mountaintops, more than half of the Alto Adige vineyard rolls out from this unique setting.
The Grape Growers
The expert hands of local farmers work this bountiful land using methods and knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Among them are the 60 or so faithful grape growers who supply Kettmeir. For decades, these farmers have brought their grapes to our winery. The grapes are grown with care and dedication on over 135 acres, because it is quality, not quantity, that really matters. The bond between the growers and the winery has been cemented over time, founded on mutual respect, a common passion for striving to do one’s best, and the pride of producing wines of the highest quality together.
Maso Chiuso - Protected Farmsteads
An ever-present, inescapable features of the varied landscapes of Alto Adige are the farmsteads known in Italian as Maso. These typical local settlements include farmhouses and the surrounding land, which for centuries has been the region’s heart and the principal source of income for its hard-working inhabitants. A distinct characteristic of these farmsteads is the ancient practice known as Maso Chiuso (literally “closed farm”), a form of legal entailment. The rules are few and simple: the property cannot be divided up, agricultural activities capable of supporting at least five people must be performed, and the farmstead must be inherited by just one son with some compensation to be paid to the others. Established in the 15th century, this system of entailment regulates and ensures the survival of local culture and traditions for future generations. It is thanks to this system that farmers in even the harshest, most impervious parts of Alto Adige are able to provide for themselves and their families through crop farming, animal breeding, or agritourism. And it is thanks to these devoted custodians that Alto Adige is able to maintain its immense natural beauty, green pastures, lush woodlands, and flourishing vineyards from the valley floors up to the most breathtaking altitudes.
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The Vineyards
Kettmeir has always looked to the land to find inspiration for its wines. We listen to the land around us and respect it.
Pochi di Salorno and Maso Reiner
The hill of Pochi di Salorno, with its calcareous, well-structured soils full of clay and organic matter, overlooks the valley below and nearby Trentino. It is on this hillside, caressed by winds from Val d’Adige and with mountains at its back, that Pinot Nero and Chardonnay grapes are grown.
Caldaro
Something magical happens in Caldaro. Between the lake, the predominantly flat valley, and the surrounding hills, a unique microclimate is created that forces the vines to send their roots deep underground into soils of glacial origin. It is the perfect terrain for growing red grapes. The hill behind the winery reaches an altitude between 1,600 and 1,900 feet and is made of limestone soils. It’s ideal for growing Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Moscato Rosa, as well as Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero — the fundamentals of Kettmeir’s sparkling wines.
Soprabolzano (Maso Ebnicher)
Above the city of Bolzano lies a hill known for its extreme temperature fluctuations, mountain breezes that blow down from the peaks of the Rosengarten, and sandy, well-draining soils formed from the disintegration of porphyry over the ages. Its name is Soprabolzano, which literally translates to “above Bolzano.” The vineyards here climb to 2,600 feet. This terrain and altitude nurture the exceptional mineral and tropical notes found in our Müller Thurgau.
