The Alpine Wines of Weingut Haderburg in Salorno (South Tyrol), Italy

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 8/24/2018

The Alpine Wines of Weingut Haderburg in Salorno (South Tyrol), Italy

In Italy, the Alpine wines come from some areas of Alto Adige (South Tyrol) and Valle d'Aosta at higher altitudes. Weingut Haderburg of the Ochsenreiter family specializes in sparkling wines. It has two plots of vineyards, the Hausmannhof which is located in Salorno is the main vineyard of the estate where the cellar and the main production line is. Obermairlhof instead is located in Chiusa in the Isarco Valley where the white wine varieties are known to produce astonishing results with a good interplay of freshness and minerality. With a total of 8.4 hectares, the annual production is around 50,000 bottles. Furthermore, the estate practices biodynamic agriculture which means that they use only substances procured from nature and that they breed animals for their natural ability to enhance the fertility of soil. Weingut Haderburg was founded in 1977 by Alois Ochsenreinter, who also functions as the enologist and agronomist. In the succeeding years, his children Erika and Hannes took over the activities under his tutelage along with his wife Christine.

At 400 meters above sea level, Hausmannhof bestows a view that is a picture perfect panorama of the valley below with the Adige River snaking through it and the distant Brenta Dolomite mountains. With the sloping terrain with a southwestern exposure, this vineyard of 5.5 hectares receives an abundance of sunshine. With a soil composition of mostly clay and loam, comprised of silt and sand, the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir vines thrive well and express themselves best in these conditions.

Obermairhof, the second and more recent addition to the estate is located in the town of Chiusa in the Isarco Valley. It has a higher position of 620 to 700 meters above sea level with a steep slope to the east, which by South Tyrolean standards is already high. In this plot, they allotted 2.9 hectares of land to the cultivation of Sylvaner, Riesling and Gewurztraminer with a alluvial soil composition which contains a high proportion of quartz, slate and granite. The wines express excellently the fruity and floral characteristics of the grapes with a good stability of freshness and minerality that the terroir help culminate.

Haderburg Brut

A blend of 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Nero, attained in the Traditional Method (Metodo Classico) and aged for 24 months on the lees. The grapes were cultivated in the Hausmannhof vineyard at an altitude of 350 to 550 meters above sea level in clay soil. The wine has fine and persistent perlage. With refreshing aromas of delicate tropical fruits and nuts.

Haderburg Pas Dosè Millesimato 2014

A blend of 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Nero, attained in the Traditional Method (Metodo Classico) and aged for 36 months on the lees. The grapes were cultivated in the Hausmannhof vineyard at an altitude of 350 to 550 meters above sea level in clay soil. The first fermentation took place in steel takes for the 70% and in oak barrels for the other 30%, while the second fermentation took place in the bottles according to the Traditional Method. The wine has fine, numerous and persistent perlage. With refreshing aromas of citrus fruits, apples, white flowers and toasted bread, in the mouth it even expresses the aromas and freshness in marked intensity. 

Hausmannhof Riserva 2008

100% Chardonnay, attained in the Traditional Method (Metodo Classico) and aged for 96 months on the lees. The 18 - 33 year old vines were cultivated in the Hausmannhof vineyard at an altitude of 350 to 550 meters above sea level in clay soil. The first fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts in oak barrels and aged for 12 months while the second fermentation took place in the bottles according to the Traditional Method. The wine has fine, numerous and persistent perlage. With refreshing aromas of citrus fruits, apples, white flowers and toasted bread, in the mouth it even expresses the aromas and freshness in marked intensity.

Obermairlhof Riesling

100% Riesling. The vines were cultivated in the Obermairlhof vineyard at an altitude of 650 to 750 meters above sea level in a soil composition of sand, gravel and klausite and fermented in steel vats. In the nose, notes of yellow stone fruits and minerals are prevalent and it yields to a good imprinting of freshness and sapidity in the mouth.

Hausmannhof Sauvignon Blanc 2017

100% Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes were cultivated in the Hausmannhof vineyard at an altitude of 350 to 440 meters above sea level in clay soil and fermented in steel vats. An equilibrated wine, it gives the typical delicate characteristics of tomato leaves in the nose with notes of fresh herbs, white flowers and fruits with a good imprint of freshness and moderate sapidity in the palate.

Obermairlhof Gewurztraminer

100% Gewurztraminer. The vines were cultivated in the Obermairlhof vineyard at an altitude of 650 to 750 meters above sea level in a soil composition of sand, gravel and klausite and fermented in steel vats. Distinctive and intense minerality, freshness and floral notes especially roses in the palate and in the nose.

Hausmannhof Gewurztraminer 2016

100% Gewurztraminer. The grapes were cultivated in the Hausmannhof vineyard at an altitude of 350 to 550 meters above sea level in clay soil and fermented in steel vats. In the nose and palate, it opens up to floral and mineral characteristics, has a good structure and body. 