Santerhof

The Santerhof is located in Rio Molino, at the entrance to the Val Pusteria, which is better known for its potatoes than for its wine grapes. And yet, The vineyards of the Santerhof are the northernmost in Alto Adige, and the Santerhof itself is the northernmost winery in all of Italy. Resistance is therefore in demand here, including against fungal diseases.

For that reason, the Santerhof focuses on fungus-resistant varieties, and thus on vines that defend themselves with their own power against diseases such as mildew and therefore in normal years don’t need to be treated at all. Even in exceptional years, only organic aids are put to use at the Santerhof, since it has been managed according to organic guidelines since as early as 1991.

So at the Santerhof, they are not so inclined to follow well-trodden paths, but rather to blaze their own trails. That is shown by the organic cultivation, as well as by the concentration on fungus-resistant varieties. “We only grow the grape varieties Bronner and Regent, from which we make the best wines, and since 2008 exclusively in the estate’s own winery,” explains Wilhelm Gasser. The wines are sold almost completely right from the farmhouse.

The special climate, the soil with a high portion of silicate, and the elevation of just under 800 meters above sea level at which the vineyards are located lend the wines from the Santerhof very special flavor tones. Gasser describes his wines as having “sleek acidity, multilayered aromas, and mild tannins.”
Is that how the real Northern Lights taste?