The "Kellerei Schreckbichl - Cantina Colterenzio" is located in the municipality of Eppan in the Alto Adige area of the Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. It was founded in 1960 as a winegrowers' co-operative by 28 winegrowers from the small hamlet of Schreckbichl (Colterenzio in Italian). Luis Rafer, who returned from a study trip to California in 1979, was appointed managing director and introduced new quality standards with reduced yields. On the Lafóa vineyard, he replaced the Vernatsch vines with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Since 2012, the winery has been largely energy self-sufficient thanks to photovoltaic panels and a heat recovery system. After extensive renovation work, a new building ensemble with a modern wine cellar, a new vinotheque and tasting rooms with a panoramic terrace was created in 2024. Hubert Dorfmann is the managing director and Martin Lemayer is the cellar master.
Today, 300 winegrowers cultivate a total of 300 hectares of vineyards according to prescribed guidelines. The vineyards lie between 230 and 680 metres above sea level. The white wine varieties cultivated are Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Müller-Thurgau, Moscato Giallo (Goldmuskateller), Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Riesling, as well as the red wine varieties Lagrein, Vernatsch,Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Manseng.
A quality group was founded in the 1980s, which today has 65 members. The premium wines of Kellerei Schreckbichl are produced from the grapes of this group, which are harvested according to strict guidelines. New methods are applied within the group and the knowledge gained is then extended to all members. These include, for example, new sustainable methods in the area of plant protection. Careful cultivation is carried out in harmony with nature.
The physiologically ripe and healthy grapes obtained through selective hand-picking are delivered to the grape reception centre and gently transported using gravity. All red wine grapes are destemmed, crushed and filled into the mash fermentation tanks. The white wine grapes are partially destemmed or only crushed and transported to the presses below. Depending on the grape variety and wine type, various containers such as stainless steel tanks, concrete vats and small and large wooden barrels are used for the fermentation and ageing of the wines.
White wines are produced to 70% and red wines to 30%. The product range is divided into the Classic line (pure, fruity white wines and red wines (DOC wines from Lake Caldaro and St. Magdalena), Selections (selected vineyards, low yields), Lafóa (wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir) and LR (white wine cuvée named after Luis Rafer made from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc). The premium wines from the Schreckbichl winery include Chardonnay Lafóa, Cabernet Sauvignon Lafóa and Pinot Noir Riserva St. Daniel.
Pictures: © Helmuth Rier
