Story: Schreckbichl | South Tyrol
Page: 2/4

Schreckbichl Winery: Pioneer of modern South Tyrolean viticulture
A bold new direction
Over 20 years ago, the Schreckbichl winery dared to make a radical new start. Inspired by the innovative developments in Italian viticulture, the members under the leadership of managing director Luis Raifer rethought their working methods and set new standards. Their success proved them right: Cantina Produttori became an avant-gardist among European cooperatives. Since then, the model has often been copied, but rarely achieved.

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History and tradition in Girlan
The Schreckbichl winery is located on the picturesque high plateau of Girlan. Here, clear air and the majestic backdrop of the Mendelzug with the Gantkofel create a unique atmosphere. But history has also left its mark here. As early as 2,000 years ago, the Rhaetians cultivated wine and stored it in wooden barrels - a technique that was later adopted by the Romans.

Today, the vineyards around Girlan belong to the 290 members of the winery. Thanks to the altitude and optimal climatic conditions, high-quality varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon thrive here.

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The change to quality
The founding of the winery in 1960 laid the foundations for a quality revolution. The 28 founders were independent and ambitious winegrowers who attached great importance to ensuring that their grapes were processed professionally in the winery. Traditional wineries such as Schloss Englar and Weingut Schwarzhaus brought additional expertise and prestige.

Luis Raifer remembers: “We said to ourselves: we have to be able to do this too.” This conviction led to a reform on two levels.

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Vernatsch: from everyday wine to flagship product
First, Vernatsch, the classic South Tyrolean everyday drink, was made presentable. By limiting yields, careful harvesting and vinification-dependent remuneration, it was possible to significantly improve quality. Not every winegrower immediately adapted to the new requirements - but those who delivered inferior grapes had to reckon with strict controls and financial losses.

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Introduction of the top lines
At the same time, noble grape varieties such as Sauvignon, Cabernet and Pinot Nero were cultivated in the best locations. These formed the basis for top wines that matured in large and small oak barrels. The premium line Cornell was developed primarily for the upscale gastronomy and established the winery's reputation as a producer of top wines. This was followed in 1988 by the Praedium Selection, which expanded the range to include other top-class wines.

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Success in the top segment and its impact
“Cornell and Praedium make up our image,” explains Luis Raifer. Although they only account for 10% of production, these wines have contributed significantly to the winery's success. At the same time, the experience gained in the top segment has sustainably improved the quality of the cheaper, classic wines.

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Quality as a foundation
Kellerei Schreckbichl has proven that top wines and a strong overall range can go hand in hand. While many producers have now developed their own premium wines, Schreckbichl remains a pioneer that focuses not only on prestige, but also on the quality of the remaining 90% of its production.

This consistent focus on quality makes Schreckbichl a role model for modern cooperative viticulture - in South Tyrol and beyond. - Gerardo [TS05/25]