Trentino Alto-Adige
, Italy
Winery Overview
Founded in 1848, the Tiefenbrunner Castel Turmhof is located in the town of Kurtatsch amid the awe inspiring
Italian Alps. In 1968, Hilde and Herbert Tiefenbrunner took ownership of the historic family winery and set off
in a new direction opening an outlet, bottling and selling wines to the general public. Tiefenbrunner produces
over 20 types of quality wines, and each bottle receives the attentive care of expert winemakers and owners,
Herbert Tiefenbrunner and his son, Christof. Many international awards testify to the quality that results from their
generations of experience, with the flagship of Tiefenbrunner being the Müller-Thurgau “Feldmarschall.”
Location of Vineyards
Located along the wine route of South Tyrol, vines are grown mainly on the mountain slopes around the Turmhof
Castle, with other vines located in the flatter areas of the valley. The southward facing slopes and their loamy, chalk
rich soils represent the best environment for producing high quality wines. The Mediterranean climate characterized
by moderate rainfall and cool, evening winds prove ideal conditions for the perfect ripening of the grapes. Rich in
extracts and potent in aroma, the grapes are turned into wines of unmistakable character; at 3,280 feet above sea
level, this is the highest vineyard in Europe.
Winemaking Philosophy
Expert winemakers, Herbert and his son Christof, maintain complete control over all winery operations from harvest
through the transformation of the juice into world renowned wines. Tiefenbrunner also purchases select grapes
from another 100 acres of surrounding vineyards. The selection of only healthy and high value grapes ripened over
months in the vineyards leads to the subsequent task of maintaining and perfecting quality in the cellar.
Trentino Alto-Adige
, Italy
Winery Overview
Located in the town of Termeno (pronounced Tramin in German), on the south side of the Alps. Tramin comprises
of one of the oldest networks of farmers forming a winery. Founded in 1898, by Pastor Christian Schrott, Tramin
now boasts 270 members across approximately 620 acres in the communities of Tramin, Neumarkt, Montan and
Auer. The winery operates on a human scale with a farmer to land ratio similar to that of a small estate, allowing
for delicate hand harvesting. Termeno is home to the aromatic grape, Gewürztraminer. The Traminer grape (as it is
called here), is one of the oldest in the world and boasts a noble lineage. Recent studies show that it is the ancestor
of some of the oldest grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, and Pinots Blanc, Gris and Noir.
Location of Vineyards
Located in Alto-Adige, better known to its mostly German speaking inhabitants as the Südtirol, the vineyards are
among the northernmost in Italy. The winery consists of 620 acres of vines grown in an exquisite, high walled glacial
valley that protects them from the northern cold and traps the sun’s warmth. Approximately 37 acres of Tramin’s
vineyards are currently cultivated using organic and biodynamic principles.
Winemaking Philosophy
With 12 Tre Bicchieri award winning wines to date, Tramin also boasts the talent of Willi Stürz, named Gambero
Rosso’s “Winemaker of the Year” in 2004. He joined the winery in 1992 and has been committed to addressing its
winemaking challenges from the start. A native of Termeno, he is deeply tied to its culture and people, which can be
seen in his work. A professional of uncommon depth and focus, Willi cultivates a balance of traditional winemaking
with the use of modern technology and deep expertise, which has resulted in great success for Tramin.
