The Kalterer See region is made for a visit. From the landscape, the cuisine - and above all from the wine. This is proven by the Kaltern Winery, which is the best ambassador for its homeland."We can only improve our quality again if we work with top-quality grapes," Thomas Scarizuola from the South Tyrolean Kaltern Winery is certain. And so one of the declared goals of the cooperative, whose vines thrive on a total area of 440 hectares, is to concentrate even more on the work in the vineyard. A goal that is very tangible through the passion and dedication of the member winemakers alone. For the attribute "With attention to detail" is given a very special attention when one considers that with 590 members, each individual vintner works on just 0.7 hectares of vineyard. In the words of Thomas Scarizuola, "each winegrower tends the vineyards like his own garden at home". This is done according to the specifications of the "Fair'n Green" certification, which confirms clearly defined sustainability in the vineyard and cellar. In addition, each grape variety is grown in precisely those sites where it can achieve the best results. "We are not interested in pushing grapes that are fashionable, but only quality that stands for our philosophy: To create wines that stand for carefree enjoyment and carry the relaxed attitude to life on Lake Kaltern," says Thomas Scarizuola.
Once promoted by Emperor Franz Joseph when it was founded in 1908, the Cantina Kaltern looks back on an eventful and exciting history, in the course of which it has stood and still stands as a figurehead for an entire village and its winegrowers. "The Cantina is an ambassador for wines that grow around Lake Kaltern, especially the Kalterersee designation of origin. Wines that are vinified with great sensitivity, passion and expertise by a large community: finesse-rich, complex and yet wonderfully uncomplicated." The founding of the first cellar cooperative in Kaltern was followed by four more, all of which merged over the years. The last major merger in 2016 finally united the vinophile world on Lake Kaltern into a single powerful voice. From the outside, the cooperative is sometimes seen as a Vernatsch winery. But even though they like to concentrate on this regionally important grape variety here - and thus produce top Vernatsch wines - the potential in other grape varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon has long been recognised. "All the grape varieties we cultivate grow in the knowledge of the importance of site selection and precisely in the sites that best support their aromatic power and deliver excellent quality." Thus, vines for Kalterersee are now only cultivated where they find an ideal location and produce top quality. After the clearing of less interesting Vernatsch sites, for example, white wine vines also found their place.
"Our soils are very versatile and vary greatly," explains Thomas Scarizuola. Depending on the location, sandy soils, porphyry or limestone predominate. "The top sites are in Oberplanitzing for Sauvignon Blanc, in St. Nikolaus for Pinot Blanc and in St. Josef for Vernatsch and Cabernet Sauvignon." Thus, each vine is treated almost tailor-made and pampered by nature: "The microclimate at Lake Kaltern is very special. During the day, the sun warms up the vines on the slopes strongly, and from about 3 p.m. the 'Ora' - a wind that comes from Lake Garda - freshens up," Scarizuola explains. In addition, there are cool nights. This mix of temperature fluctuations gives the wines a pleasant freshness, balance and fruitiness. And precisely the special attitude to life for which the holiday region is so well known.
We cordially invite you to get to know this great winery with its 2021 star Sauvignon Blanc at the wein.plus:club online tastings "Auf der Blumenwiese" between 18 and 25 May. The places available for wine professionals and private wine fans are very limited.
You can also purchase this wine from the online shops listed in wein.plus:find+buy.