The cooperative winery in the Italian wine-growing area of South Tyrol ( Trentino-Alto Adige region) was created in 2010 through the merger of the "Weinkellerei Meran" (Merano, founded in 1952) and the "Burggräfler Kellerei" (Marling, created in 1984 through the merger of the "Marlinger Kellerei" and "Algunder Kellerei"). This united the western cultivation area of South Tyrol from Lana in the south via Merano to Riffian in the north and Algund to Castelbello in the west under one roof. The 380 members with many small and micro-producers cultivate the best vineyards in Merano and in the neighbouring communities of Lagundo, Tirolo, Kuens, Riffiano, Scena, Marlengo, Cermes and Lana. In the western part of South Tyrol, the growing area extends as far as the Vinschgau Valley.
Wine production
The wine is produced in Marling; Stefan Kapfinger is the cellar master and oenologist. In 2013, the renovated winery was put into operation, where guided tours are offered from spring to autumn. The entire range of wines can be tasted all year round in the panoramic oenotheque, from where you can enjoy a view of the Merano valley basin and the vineyards.
Vineyards & grape varieties
The vineyards cover a total of 260 hectares of mostly terraced vineyards. The white wine varieties Pinot Blanc, Kerner, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau,Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Goldmuskateller and Gewürztraminer, as well as the red wine varieties Meraner Vernatsch (Schiava Meranese), Lagrein,Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot are cultivated.
The elaborate care of the vines is carried out by hand using environmentally friendly cultivation methods. The quantity of grapes is drastically reduced several times during the vegetation cycle in the vineyard. Careful, selective hand-picking ensures that only physiologically ripe and healthy grapes are processed.
Product range
The company's maxim is to produce wines that emphasise the special character of the respective growing region. The product range includes the lines "Festival" (varietal wines), "Graf" (characterful, elegant wines from quality-enhancing yield reduction), "Vinschgau"(mineral mountain wines) and the top line "Lagen" (wines from specially selected, special individual vineyards).
Depending on the type, the wines are matured in stainless steel tanks, large wooden barrels or barriques. The wines are marketed under the DOC designations Burggräfler, Meraner, Südtiroler and Vinschgau. The flagship of the house is the DOC Merano Pinot Blanc "V Years". After whole-cluster pressing and fermentation, it is aged for five years on the fine lees in steel tanks and wooden barrels. The winery is a member of the Association of South Tyrolean Sparkling Wine Producers.
