In the Alto Adige, the famous Italian northern region known for the remarkable production of wines, between the cities of Bozen and Meran, there is the picturesque village of Terlan. In this place, placidly located in the center of the Adige valley, the production of wine has always represented the main agricultural activity and still now wines produced at Terlan are considered as a pearl of the enology in Alto Adige. In these suggestive places was established in 1893 Kellerei Terlan (Terlan Winery), with its more than one hundred years of history was also one of the very first cooperative wineries of Alto Adige, and the 24 founding producers of that time agreed on the goal of producing and promoting the selling of wine. Today the associated producers are about 100, the acreage of vineyards is of 150 hectares (370 acres) and the yearly production is of about 11,000 hectoliters (about 4,000 gallons) for a total of 1,2 millions of bottles. Its small size, such to make this winery to be considered among the smaller wine businesses of Alto Adige, greatly contributes to ensure a high quality of the wines produced every year.

Kellerei Terlan

 In the modern rooms of Kellerei Terlan, managed by the technical experience of wine maker Hartmann Donà, are being produced and aged white wines, for the 50% of the total production, and red wines, for the remaining 50%. All the production, recognized as DOC (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata, Denomination of Controlled Origin), is divided into three qualitative lines clearly diversified. At Kellerei Terlan, besides producing wines, particular attention is paid to the historical memory as well. The winery owns a prestigious vinotheque in which are scrupulously kept and checked, bottles of wines of particular and favorable vintages. Kellerei Terlan today keeps 12,000 bottles of wines from 1955 to the most recent vintages, and they also have bottles of older vintages of which the oldest is dated back to the year of establishment. The important aspect of this precious and rare bottle vintage 1893, besides the historical one, is represented by its volume, 750 ml, just like the ones commonly used today, and this proves that since then - since the beginning - the winery was already aiming to high quality standards. This collection of wines, unique in the whole of Italy, is an authoritative witness of the enological tradition of Terlan where they have always made aged and longeval wines that with the passing of time they become more elegant and harmonious.

 In the Terlan area vine was cultivated since many centuries ago and vineyards, located in the valley and shielded by Tschöggelberg mountains, are situated at an altitude between 250 and 900 meters (820-2,950 feet), in particularly favorable conditions for the cultivation. The soil of Terlan is of porphyry type, with its typical red color and made of volcanic stones in which are found huge quantities of minerals, technically called quartz porphyry. The upper layer of the soil is sandy - therefore permeable and capable of accumulating heat - and characterized by a slightly acid Ph. The particular characteristics of the soil give Terlan wines good personality, moreover the high content in minerals, besides giving wines a particular mineral hint, contributes to the remarkable longevity of the wines produced in this area. The exposition of the vineyards towards south also ensures good conditions of insolation of about 1,800-2,100 hours per year. The average yearly temperature during the vegetative phase between May and September is of 12° C - 18° C (53-64° F), and the repetition of warm days and cool nights during the ripening period ensure good quantities of sugar and aromatic substances in the grapes.

	Kellerei Terlan's Vinoteque

 The viticultural system adopted by Kellerei Terlan is the typical one found in Alto Adige - Pergola system - with a density from 3,500 and 6,000 vines per hectare. Since some years the vineyards are being converted into a wire-frame cultivation system - Guyot - in order to have densities from 5,000 and 8,000 vines per hectare. In order to favor the quality of wines, the yields of harvests have been reduced therefore allowing the vine to concentrate in few bunches a higher quantity of nutrients with the result of obtaining more bodied and concentrated wines. Another fundamental factor is represented by the choice of the more suitable varieties which will be planted in the most adequate positions. Kellerei Terlan makes use of its secular experience in cultivating vines in the most favorable positions and microclimates for every variety. The white berried grapes currently cultivated in the most lower and central areas are Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, in the higher areas is being cultivated Müller Thurgau, whereas in the lower and warmer areas are being cultivated Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. Among red berried grapes Pinot Noir is cultivated in the higher areas - between 450 and 650 meters (1475-2135 feet) - Schiava between 300 and 500 meters (985-1640 feet), whereas Lagrein, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the warmer and lower areas up to 350 meters (1150 feet).

 The wines of Kellerei Terlan are produced in order to respect and exalt the enological character of the region. Particular attention is paid to the time factor. Wine maker Hartmann Donà adopts criteria of slow aging, where wines stay on the fermented masses even for years before being transferred - with no hurry - in casks and bottles in order to complete the aging cycle. In this way it is intended to favor not only the development of the primary aromas in wines, but also and above all the secondary and tertiary ones, qualities which distinguish the territory of Terlan. Wines produced in particular and favorable vintages are even bottled after 10 years of aging therefore confirming the exceptional longevity and preservability of Terlan. According to the style, wines are being aged in containers of different types (stainless steel tanks, casks and barrels) and particular attention is paid to the temperature of fermentation and other factors such as the time of aging on the fermented mass and filtering practices.

 Kellerei Terlan's wines are currently produced in three qualitative and distinct lines: classics, regional and selections. The base of the production is represented by the classic line made of wines produced with all the typical white and red berried varieties of Alto Adige. These wines, generally produced in steel tanks, are released in the market relatively crisp and should preferably be consumed during their youth. Wines of the regional line are produced with wines cultivated in selected areas of Terlan. These wines, usually aged in cask and according to the many varieties, are distinguished for their character in which can be recognized the typicality of Terlan and are released in the market as soon as the right aging time in bottle has come. The best quality wines of Kellerei Terlan are the ones of the selected line. The grapes used for the production of these wines are cultivated according quality standards adopted by the winery, with yields of 56-70 quintals per hectare. Thanks to the aging done in barrels, these wines have good complexity, with rich aromas of fruit and particular elegance. Wines of the selected line can be recognized by the traditional bulb shaped bottle.

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