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Erste+Neue, a significant contributor to the history of wine growing in Alto Adige for over a century, was established in 1986 following the merger of the Erste Kellerei ("First Winery" founded in 1900) and the Neue Kellerei ("New Winery" founded in 1925). A further forward-looking step was taken in 2016 when it was affiliated with Cantina Kaltern and the decision was taken to retain the brand in view of its prominence and tradition in the world of wine.
Alto Adige, the northernmost province of Italy, is located at the heart of the Alps, where Italy borders on Austria and Switzerland. That explains why the region can offer both snowcapped peaks and Mediterranean landscapes complete with palm and cypress trees.
Ours is one of the smallest wine-growing areas in Italy but – with vineyards on the slopes at the foot of 3,000 m high mountains in the north and on gentle sun-blessed hills in the south, it is also one of the most varied. A diversity of soils, elevations of between 200 and 1,000 m and a correspondingly multifaceted range of mesoclimates make it possible to cultivate over twenty different grape varieties and produce a very respectable share of top-quality wines, as confirmed in the leading national and international wine guides year in, year out.
Erste+Neue’s vineyard terraces are a picturesque site in the area around Lake Kaltern and on the slopes at the foot of the Mendola massif. The area under cultivation is located at the center of the wine-growing province of Alto Adige and comprises a number of individual sites, which have been planted with the most suitable grape varieties for their various soils and climatic conditions. Pampered by the warming rays of the southern sun and cooled by the fresh Alpine air of the mountains, the grapes embody the attractive landscape and produce wines as ambassadors of this wonderful corner of the world.
COMPANY PROFILE
The pioneering spirit of Alto Adige – yesterday and today
Erste+Neue, a significant contributor to the history of wine growing in Alto Adige for over a century, was
established in 1986 following the merger of the Erste Kellerei (founded in 1900) and the Neue Kellerei
(founded in 1925). A further forward-looking step was taken in 2016 when it was affiliated with Cantina
Kaltern and the decision was taken to retain the brand in view of its prominence and tradition in the world of
wine. Wine in Alto Adige has a thousand years of history, and we are committed to maintaining and passing on
this tradition and wine-growing culture. Our ambitions have always been rooted in a strong pioneering spirit,
which also finds expression in the modern design of our labels.
Location: Typicity at the heart of the Alps
Alto Adige, the northernmost province of Italy, is located at the heart of the Alps, where Italy borders on
Austria and Switzerland. That explains why the region can offer both snowcapped peaks and Mediterranean
landscapes complete with palm and cypress trees.
Ours is one of the smallest wine-growing areas in Italy but – with vineyards on the slopes at the foot of
3,000 m high mountains in the north and on gentle sun-blessed hills in the south, it is also one of the most
varied. A diversity of soils, elevations of between 200 and 1,000 m and a correspondingly multifaceted
range of mesoclimates make it possible to cultivate over twenty different grape varieties and produce a very
respectable share of top-quality wines, as confirmed in the leading national and international wine guides year
in, year out.
Erste+Neue’s vineyard terraces are a picturesque site in the area around Lake Kaltern and on the slopes at the
foot of the Mendola massif. The area under cultivation is located at the center of the wine-growing province
of Alto Adige and comprises a number of individual sites, which have been planted with the most suitable
grape varieties for their various soils and climatic conditions. Pampered by the warming rays of the southern
sun and cooled by the fresh Alpine air of the mountains, the grapes embody the attractive landscape and
produce wines as ambassadors of this wonderful corner of the world.
Soil: Millions of years of prehistory as the basis for exciting wines
Oltradige, which is where Kaltern and most of our vineyards or located, extends parallel to the Mendola
ridge in a north-south direction. The area has a geological boundary in the west in the form of a porphyry
terrace and the dolomitic rock faces of the Mendola massif while the quartz porphyry rock of the Mitterberg
separates it from the Adige Valley in the east.
Quartz porphyry, which is of volcanic origin, is the oldest bedrock and parent material of the subsoils in
Oltradige. In the last few millennia it has been covered by fluviatile gravel, moraine material, late-glacial
lake deposits and postglacial formations. Thanks to the diversity of the microclimates and soil profiles, it is
possible to select the optimum combination for the various grape varieties, with Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay,
Gewürztraminer and Kalterersee (Schiava) growing mainly where there is limestone gravel and mudslide rock
from the Mendola massif while Sauvignon is planted on quartz porphyry, which gives the wines a minerally,
almost salty, component. The south-facing moraine hill of Mezzan is used to grow most of the Pinot noir,
while the sedimentary soils of the last glacial period in the vicinity of the lake are ideal for full-bodied reds such
as Lagrein.
Climate: Southern sun on Alpine slopes
The mild Alpine-Mediterranean climate of Alto Adige, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, is the
basis of successful wine growing. Thanks to the barrier formed by the main chain of the Alps, the vineyards
are protected from the cold northerlies and from bad weather coming in from the Atlantic and northern
Europe. The region is open to the south, however, so that air currents from Lake Garda and the Mediterranean
pamper our vines with warm breezes. Apart from that, Lake Kaltern itself – as the biggest natural lake for
swimming in Alto Adige and the warmest in the Alps – also contributes to Kaltern’s mild climate. The vineyard
terraces have a mainly southern and southeastern exposition for maximum sunshine hours during the day,
while the fall winds from the Mendola ridge create a marked thermal excursion during the night. Thanks to this
pronounced diurnal temperature range – with an average temperature of 18°C during the vegetation period
– and adequate levels of precipitation, we are able to produce wines that combine ripe fruit flavors with Alpine
freshness.
Wine growing: Passion and manual work
We take the grapes that are carefully harvested by hand in our vineyards and process them with a passion for
making perfect top-quality wines. With the experience of generations and their willingness to experiment,
Erste+Neue today produces ten typical Alto Adige varieties. Our wine maker’s ambition is to make every wine
both an original and a discovery. The typicity of each variety is emphasized and full expression given to the
characteristics of the area of origin. The result is harmonious wines combining an impressive aromatic intensity
with great elegance. Our two quality lines comprise distinctive white wines, red wines with an unmistakable
varietal character and a sweet dessert wine.
Puntay - Excellence
The symbiosis of soil and microclimate in our top vineyards is the secret behind these very special wines. In the
cellar, great care is taken to fully develop the natural potential of the grapes to produce outstanding wines with
exciting aromas and complexity that fully reflect their terroir.
Classic – Typicity
The striking mountain landscape combines with the climatic conditions in the area of Lake Kaltern to offer
optimum conditions for the traditional Alto Adige grape varieties. The result is characteristic wines with a silky
structure and fresh fruit.
“Tradition is not about preserving the ashes
but passing on the fire.” “ (Gustav Mahler)
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