The history of "Die Andrianer Kellerei" (the Andrian wine cellars) - it is the oldest cooperative wine-growing estate in South Tyrol. It was founded and built in 1893 and is directly connected with the introduction of the concept of a cooperative, as a type of business in South Tyrol. This undoubtedly courageous step was supported by a large amount from the public treasury by the Austrian monarch Emperor Francis Joseph.

During the first 100 years, several extensions and renovations took place. Old venerable cellars and modern facilities merge in perfect synergy. The people of Andrian were always very courageous when it came to new ideas, such as in the technical and quality sectors - and most of the time embraced them right from the start. Here is a little example: The first modern wine filter with a drying effect was used for the first time in our premises. All those years back, it was an ecological sensation because with the new filter material, water pollution was practically none.

Andrian
The wine-growing region stretches along the hills all around the village and uses around 125 acres of land. The soil is interlarded with squared Dolomite and lime stone, which guarantees good water balance and good air circulation inside the soil. The low altitude of around 250 metres above sea level enables the cultivation of late-ripening grapes such as Lagrein, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon on the soft eastern slopes of the village. The hills, which look in a northerly direction, grow white wines such as the wonderful and aromatic wines of Sauvignon Blanc.

Andrian vineyards at the foot of the mighty Gantkofel mountain

Siebeneich
The warm sunny slopes of Siebeneich, offer grapes such as Merlot and Lagrain, a warm Mediterranean micro climate and therefore have optimal pre-conditions for the wines in our select lines.

A good micro climate and the slightly warm gravel soil of the Bozen region, made wine cultivation in this area, particularly its suburb Gries, a classic cultivation zone for the autochthonous Lagrein grape. In our select wine range called "TOR DI LUPO", you will find a Lagrein, which is one of the best in South Tyrol.

Jenesien
The steep sunny hillsides of Jenesien, just above Bozen and 750 metres above sea level, grow white grapes such as Müller Thurgau and Pinot Blanc to fruity and full wines in our classic wine range.

The cool western slopes with an altitude of 500 metres are particularly suited for the Pinot Nero. The deep lime soil contains loam, which gives the wine strength and character.

On the steep terraces just above Bozen, we grow the Gewurztraminer "TOR DI LUPO" at an altitude of 750 metres. Due the special micro climate, the grapes are not harvested before late Autumn. An intensive, but still elegant wine is grown in this region.

St. Peter above Bozen.
The extremely steep and sunny location of St. Peter in the classic St. Magdalene region produces excellent and strong Vernatsch wines.

Eppan mountain
The South-Eastern slopes with an altitude of 550 to 650 metres and loamy lime-gravel soil, as well as great differences in temperature between day and night produce a particularly aromatic white wine.

The production of high-quality wines starts with the vineyard itself.

Wine which has a high standard from our cellar is made of healthy and well-ripened grapes. Experience shows us that a lower quantity, with high-quality grapes, produces a higher profit - due to quality of excellently-profiled wines. Modern cultivation methods such as the wire frame as well as the traditional bower are used by our members - of course, it all depends on the grape and the location too. Professional consulting and lively exchange of experience form a framework for an optimum use of naturally given elements.

The challenge for our winegrower and his team is to process the delivered grapes according to most modern production methods and in such a way, that they develop independent wines, full of character. The production of white wines occurs through a very careful pressing method. The fermentation is continuously monitored by a temperature control system, which is linked to strong-performance and highly modern cooling systems. The ripening process takes place in tanks made of high-grade steel, which guarantees the original taste of the grape.

The improvement of selected white wines in wooden tanks is a successful practice. For the preparation of red wines, we have special mash fermentation tanks available, which ensure an optimum extraction of the invaluable contents. For the ripening process, we use large and small wooden barrels of different variations. Heavy red wines from selected vineyards and of a particular quality are accepted into our select programme. These will ripen in small oak barrels called 'barriques'. The result of the month-long ripening process is a perfect symbiosis of grape and wood. During further ripening in bottles, the wines develop a complex and harmonic fragrance and taste.