Winemaker's Notes
Origin
The Schiava (= Vernatsch, from the Latin „vernaculus“ to „native“) has a long tradition in Alto Adige and in the Middle Age it was known as „Farnatzer.“ Until a few decades ago, 80 per cent of the area in South Tyrol has been cultivated with Schiava. Meanwhile, that percentage has dropped to below 20 percent. However, the Schiava is still the most widely planted variety in the region.
Vintage
The 2023 winegrowing year was characterized by changeable weather and the resulting increased work in the vineyard. A snow-deficient winter and a warm March accelerated the start of vegetation. A typical April and a rainy May led to flowering close to the long-term average. June was unstable, with heat waves and drought. July brought a lot of rain coupled with some very hot days. Despite extreme temperature fluctuations in August, a golden autumn brought us a successful grape harvest with very good grape qualities overall.
Recommendation
This wine is ideal as an aperitif, an accompaniment to appetizers, or to typical Tyrolean fare such as speck and sausage, but also to lighter meats and mild cheeses.
History
Cantina Kaltern has a long history. It took more than a century for our winery to become what it is and what it stands for today: professionalism, passion, a shared community, experience and the highest quality standards.
Today, Cantina Kaltern is one of the principal wineries of Alto Adige, and Kaltern itself is proud of its reputation as the most popular and best-known wine village in the region. But Kaltern is not only a special corner of the world for wine lovers and connoisseurs from near and far; village life revolves around wine. Wine sets the stage here; it is a source of employment and also of pride for the villagers and wine growers.
Wine is the mission in life for many people here, one that they pursue with great passion – be it in the vineyard, in the cellar, in restaurants and bars, or in retail. In Kaltern, wine is first and foremost synonymous with enjoyment and quality. But what makes this village on the shores of Alto Adige’s largest natural lake and its wine so unique is the community behind it – the spirit, the euphoria, and the shared aspiration to draw the attention of the whole world to the wine, the village and to the natural beauty of Kaltern. In this context, Cantina Kaltern has an eminent role to play and can rely on what makes it special: consistent quality through a united effort.
FROM 1900 TO THE PRESENT: CANTINA KALTERN MAKES HISTORY
The history of Cantina Kaltern goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, a century that witnessed long, debilitating years of war and the separation of Alto Adige from Austria – but also the eventful history of Kaltern’s five wineries, including glorious days as official suppliers to the court in Vienna, economic crises and boom years, and also mergers and a consistent orientation on quality in wine-growing. The result today is a winery cooperative with 650 members and 450 hectares of vineyards.
1900: Foundation of Kellereigenossenschaft Kaltern
1906: Foundation of Bauernkellerei
1908: Foundation of Jubiläumskellerei
1925: Foundation of Neue Cantina Kaltern; Kellereigenossenschaft Kaltern changes its name to Erste Kellereigenossenschaft Kaltern
1932: Privatkellerei Baron Di Pauli becomes Genossenschaft Josef Baron Di Pauli
1986: Merger of Erste Kellereigenossenschaft Kaltern and Neue Kellereigenossenschaft to form Erste+Neue Kellereigenossenschaft Kaltern
1991: Genossenschaft Josef Baron Di Pauli integrated into Erste+Neue Kellerei; the Tenuta Baron Di Pauli reverts to an independent wine estate
1992: Merger of Bauernkellerei and Jubiläumskellerei to form Cantina Kaltern
2016: Merger of Erste+Neue Kellerei and Cantina Kaltern, retaining the name Cantina Kaltern
