The Valle Isarco appellation is situated in the northern reaches of the Alto Adige, around 50 km from the Austrian border.

It’s no wonder that the soul of the region is as much Austrian as it is Italian, which is reflected in the wines. The 5ha Kofererhof estate, owned by the Kerschbaumer family since 1940, is in the foothills of the Dolomite mountains at over 700 meters in altitude. With large diurnal shifts between day and night temperatures, and lean soils, the region is ideally suited for quality grape growing which the Kerschbaumers takes very seriously. Their vines are grown organically and planted at high density.

Gunter Kerschbaumer has garnered a reputation as one of Italy’s most talented white wine oenologists. His signature are wines that show intense aromatics, concentration and purity. They are the definition of balance. As Kerschbaumer’s wines are always dry, this requires optimal ripeness. From gewurztraminer, riesling, veltliner to sylvaner, one finds wines that express this unique terroir with incredible focus and energy. Not to be overlooked are lesser known grape varieties, kerner et muller thurgau, which are as much interesting curiosities as they are exceptional.

While there is no lack of critical acclaim for Gunter’s wines, Gambero Rosso proclaimed Kofererhof’s 2009 Sylvaner R “white wine of the year” in their 2011 guide.