Pinot Noir, originally from Burgundy, was introduced to South Tyrol in the early 19th century by the Austro-Hungarian royal family. The first official record of the variety dates back to 1838, while a detailed analytical description of its wines was provided by Edmund Mach in 1894.
Today, Pinot Noir covers approximately 580 hectares, accounting for about 10% of South Tyrol’s total vineyard area. The most historically renowned growing areas are located on the western slopes of the southern Adige Valley, particularly in the municipalities of Egna (home to the famed Mazzon vineyard) and Montagna (where the well-known Gleno zone lies). Here, the variety benefits from marked diurnal temperature variation due to predominantly west-facing exposures. Val Venosta and Val d’Isarco are also emerging as ideal regions for the production of refined Pinot Noir.
The wine’s characteristics vary significantly depending on the growing area: in Mazzon (Egna) it tends to be richer and rounder, while in Montagna and Gleno it is known for its vibrant acidity and precision. In Val Venosta and Val d’Isarco, it expresses greater elegance and finesse. In recent years, many wineries have begun experimenting with higher-altitude vineyards to take advantage of cooler climates and preserve the freshness and aromatic refinement of Pinot Noir in response to climate change.
Best Pinot Noir from Alto Adige/South Tyrol – Recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri
What are the best Pinot Noirs from Alto Adige/South Tyrol?
Let’s discover together the updated list of the best Pinot Noirs from Alto Adige/South Tyrol with photos and tastings, so everyone can find the wine that suits their tastes.
Renaissance 2020 – Gump Hof – Markus Prackwieser
Description
Reveals notes of redcurrant, wild strawberries, and pine resin, enriched by nuances of medicinal herbs and sweet spices. On the palate, it is fresh and elegant, with silky tannins and vibrant acidity. Markus Prackwieser offers yet another masterful interpretation of Pinot Noir, emphasizing freshness and elegance over sheer power.
Technical Notes
Cold maceration for one week, followed by fermentation in stainless steel for two weeks (40% whole clusters). Aged for 18 months in barriques (50% new) and an additional 6 months in large oak casks.
Vineyard Area
Novale di Presule (Isarco Valley), at an altitude of 500–550 meters, with a slope of 50–55%.
Aton 2019 – Elena Walch
Description
Opens with aromas of ripe cherry and small red fruits, complemented by hints of underbrush, humus, and medicinal herbs. The palate is concentrated, featuring silky tannins and lively acidity that impart freshness and drinkability. The finish is long and persistent, echoing the characteristic aromas of Pinot Noir. An elegant and complex wine that fully expresses varietal characteristics.
A remarkable vintage of Pinot Noir from Elena Walch, highlighting balance and softness in this millésime.
Technical Notes
Cold maceration for 5 days, fermentation in stainless steel for 15 days. Aged for 12 months in barriques, followed by one year in stainless steel.
Vineyard Area
Glen and Barleith, at altitudes ranging from 400 to 600 meters above sea level.
Vigna Das Langefeld 2020 – Pfitscher
Sensory Description
Elegant aromas of forest fruits and underbrush, with subtle smoky notes. The palate is rich and layered, featuring velvety tannins and a long, savory finish. Pfitscher’s new expression offers a refined and elegant Pinot Noir, where aromatic finesse and freshness are masterfully integrated with complexity and aging potential.
Technical Notes
Manual grape selection, cold maceration for two days, spontaneous fermentation for 14 days. Aged for 12 months in barriques, 6 months in a 10 hl large oak cask, and 30 months in bottle. Bottled without filtration.
Vineyard Area
Gleno, Montagna, at 550 meters above sea level.
Krafuss 2021 – Alois Lageder
Sensory Description
Complex bouquet with notes of blackberry, raspberry, white pepper, and flinty mineral hints. The palate is balanced and fresh, with silky tannins and an elegant finish.
Technical Notes
Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and wood. Aged for 12 months in a mix of new and used barriques (30% new), followed by bottle maturation.
Vineyard Area
Krafuss estate, located on a hilltop in Appiano, at altitudes between 430 and 450 meters above sea level.
Pinot Nero Riserva ‘Vigna Ganger’ 2020 – Girlan
Description:
Electrifies the nose with notes of blueberries and wild strawberries, followed by hints of dried flowers, undergrowth, vanilla, and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with well-defined silky tannins and vibrant acidity that brings freshness and verticality. The finish is clean, harmonious, and fruit-driven with great length. Seductive and refined, with highly expressive aromas.
Technical notes:
One-fifth of the grapes are vinified with whole clusters. Fermentation in steel vats for 25 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages for 20 months in barriques and 18 months in bottle.
Vineyard area:
Mazzon (360–380 m a.s.l.)
Wine Collection Pinot Noir 2019 – San Michele Appiano
Description:
Unfolds enticing notes of berry jam, followed by more austere accents of tar, tobacco, and toasted nuances. On the palate, silky tannins, good acidity, great savoriness, and excellent persistence. Balanced and savory, with refined aromas: one of the most successful expressions of Alto Adige Pinot Noir from a top-tier cooperative.
Technical notes:
10 days of cold maceration and fermentation in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation and aging in barriques/tonneaux. Further 18 months of aging in steel on the lees.
Vineyard area:
Appiano Monte, Rungg
Burgum Novum Pinot Nero Riserva 2021 – Castelfeder
Description:
Refined aromatic profile with notes of ripe cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, enriched by hints of dark spices, dark chocolate, and undergrowth. The palate is taut and flowing, with smooth tannins, good acidity, and a savory, persistent finish.
Technical notes:
Fermentation in stainless steel with skin maceration. Aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, followed by time in steel and in bottle.
Vineyard area:
Cuvée of grapes from the Bassa Atesina, between 400 and 850 m a.s.l.
Pinot Nero Linticlarus 2022 – Tiefenbrunner
Description:
A fine and complex aromatic profile of raspberry, forest floor, medicinal herbs, and spices. On the palate, it expresses a great balance between freshness, volume, and gustatory tension. A linear and captivating wine, among the most elegant in South Tyrol.
Technical notes:
About 30% of the grapes are vinified with whole clusters. Cold maceration for 7 days, alcoholic fermentation for 21 days. Aged for 12 months in barriques (40% new), 6 months in large oak casks, and 12 months in bottle.
Vineyard area:
Montagna, Corona (450–800 m a.s.l.)
Maglen 2021 – Tramin
Description:
Broad and well-defined aromatic profile, with wild raspberry, sour cherry, caramel, and light resinous and toasty notes. The palate is marked by compact, well-integrated tannins, supported by vibrant acidity and pronounced savoriness that give depth and drive.
Technical notes:
Vinification in stainless steel; aged for 12 months in barriques and tonneaux.
Vineyard area:
Mazzon, Glen
Lafoa Pinot Nero 2020 – Colterenzio
Description:
Notes of bramble blackberry and blueberry precede nuances of undergrowth, sweet spices, and balsamic hints. On the palate, it is harmonious, with a good balance between freshness and structure. The tannins are fine and well integrated into the wine’s body.
Technical notes:
Fermentation in stainless steel, aged for 12 months in barriques.
Vineyard area:
Ora, Cornaiano
Pinot Nero ‘Mason di Mason’ 2021 – Manincor
Description:
Opens with intense aromas of ripe forest fruits and cherry in alcohol, accompanied by subtle notes of graphite and humus. On the palate, it is enveloping, with soft tannins and good persistence, expressing balance and finesse.
Technical notes:
Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts; aged in large oak barrels for about 12 months, unfiltered and unfined to preserve integrity and typicity.
Vineyard area:
‘Mason’ vineyards in Caldaro, on moraine soil with optimal exposure at around 350–400 m a.s.l.
Thalman 2021 – Cantina Bolzano
Description:
Aromas of cherry and morello cherry open up to toasty sensations and light roasting notes. The palate is velvety, with well-measured and well-distributed tannins. Good persistence, with fruity returns on the finish.
Technical notes:
Fermentation in stainless steel; aged in French oak barriques for 12 months.
Vineyard area:
Renon, Leitach
Select Blauburgunder 2020 – Rottensteiner
Description:
Opens with a refined bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, enriched by spicy and undergrowth notes. On the palate, it is soft and enveloping, with gentle tannins and a persistent finish with light vanilla nuances.
Technical notes:
Vinification in stainless steel at controlled temperature. Aged for 12 months in French oak barriques.
Vineyard area:
Missiano, about 300–400 m a.s.l.
Glen Pinot Nero Riserva 2022 – Kurtatsch
Description:
Opens on the nose with notes of cherry and fresh red berries, accompanied by subtle spicy and balsamic nuances. The palate is well-balanced, with soft tannins and a persistent finish.
Technical notes:
Cold pre-fermentation maceration, fermentation in stainless steel with partial wood contact. Long aging in barriques.
Vineyard area:
Glen, 400–600 m a.s.l.
Pinot Nero Aristos 2022 – Cantina Valle d’Isarco
Description:
Notes of ripe cherry, redcurrant, and subtle spicy overtones. On the palate, it is fresh and vibrant, with delicate tannins and a harmonious, persistent finish.
Technical notes:
Fermentation in stainless steel with temperature control. Aged for 18 months in tonneaux, followed by 6 months in bottle.
Vineyard area:
Valle Isarco, 550 m a.s.l.
Blauburgunder Riserva 2022 – Muri Gries
Description:
Elegant aromas of small red fruits and floral notes, with hints of sweet spices. On the palate, it is harmonious, with silky tannins and good persistence.
Technical notes:
Vinification in stainless steel with temperature-controlled fermentation. Aged for 18 months in barriques and tonneaux, followed by at least 6 months in bottle.
Vineyard area:
Appiano Monte, southeast-facing slope, 500–600 m a.s.l.
What is the best Pinot Noir wine from South Tyrol Alto Adige?olo – Alto Adige?
Choosing is an arduous task, inevitably subject to the limits of subjective opinion, which, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.
We have simply compiled a list of our favorite interpretations based on our evaluations. However, it remains essential to emphasize that wine is not made to be prestigious, exhibited, or flaunted.
It is made to excite us and be genuinely shared with the people we love, connecting to contingent situations and the unique, intimate moments of our lives.
Therefore, we invite you to visit wineries and meet the producers who create wines with their unique touch so that you can discover and choose independently the wine that you can count among your personal favorites. If you have had the patience to read this far, we thank you for your attention. But now it’s time to fill our glasses and cut distant hopes, so:
Cheers, Salute, Santé.
