The winegrowers' cooperative is located in the winegrowing community of Appiano on the South Tyrolean Wine Route (Trentino-South Tyrol region, Italy). The winery was founded in 1907 by 27 winegrowers. Today it comprises 340 winegrowing families who cultivate 380 hectares of vineyards. Anton Zublasing is responsible as chairman, Günther Neumair as managing director and Hans Terzer as cellar master and oenologist. The winery is regarded as a pioneering operation. Already in the 1980s, the company switched increasingly from Vernatsch to a wide variety of white wine varieties, reduced yields and experimented with new types of ageing(barrique ageing).
The vineyards are mostly located in the municipality of Appiano. The most famous ones are in Appiano Mountain, with the well-known Schulthaus site, and along the Wine Route to Kaltern. They are planted to 70% with the white wine varietiesPinot Blanc (Weißburgunder), Pinot Grigio(Pinot Gris), Chardonnay, Sauvignon(Sauvignon Blanc) and Gewürztraminer, as well as Riesling and Müller Thurgau in the peripheral areas. The most important red wine variety is Vernatsch, followed by Blauburgunder(Pinot Noir), as well as Lagrein, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, which are cultivated in warm locations outside Appiano. Great attention is paid to the right location for each variety, a targeted yield reduction and optimal ripeness of the grapes.
The wines are vinified according to location and grape variety and, depending on the type of wine, are aged in stainless steel tanks, in traditional oak barrels or in French barriques. The wide range of products is divided into three lines: Sanct Valentin (top-quality wines), Selection (site wines) and Classic (traditionally varietal wines). The flagship of the house is the white wine cuvée "Appius" (Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc) from yields of maximum 35 hl/ha. The wine matures for 12 months in barrique tonneau and three years on the fine yeast in steel tanks. The annual production amounts to 2.5 million bottles, 70% of which are sold in Italy and 30% abroad. In total, the company supplies around 35 countries worldwide.
