Blog: Schreckbichl | South Tyrol
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In 1960, 28 winegrowers founded the Schreckbichl Winery, named after the hamlet of the same name south of the city of Bolzano. Other farms inside and outside Girlan joined. Today, 290 members with over 300 hectares cultivate the best vineyard sites in the area. The vineyards in the Bolzano basin enjoy a Mediterranean climate during the day, which regularly spreads through the basin, and a fresh alpine climate at night, due to their unique position. The Schreckbichl winery has long been one of the avangardists among Europe's wineries. Around 1970, under the leadership of Luis Raifer, it succeeded in setting the decisive course for quality assurance in the vineyards and cellars, accompanied by a catchy marketing concept. In a concerted action, the members were obliged to grow and deliver their grapes according to very specific requirements. From now on, it was no longer just the quantity of grapes delivered that counted, but the precisely defined quality, which flowed into the remuneration of the winegrowers and was also meticulously controlled. In the end it turned out that the motto 'Together we are strong' was fulfilled with life. One successfully produces quality wines, which are full of individuality, successful varietal conversion and identity.

When one speaks of Schreckbichl, one speaks of Luis Raifer; he holds a doctorate in agronomy and is a busy ambassador for South Tyrolean wine. No other winery in Italy is so strongly identified with its leader. The corporate form of cooperative remains in the background, as Schreckbichler wines tend to be attributed to a winemaker. The cooperatives are satisfied because Raifer pools their resources, controls production costs and marketing efforts.

The winery now produces wines in three lines. The Classic, the Predium, the Cornell and Lafoa line they are structured similar to a pyramid. The latter, the most prestigious bottlings grow in prestigious vineyards with very limited yields. The classic line covers more than half of the production. These are mostly single varietal wines, as they have long been indigenous and common in South Tyrol. The Schreckbichlers achieved great success with the award-worthy Classic Line. This benefited directly from the experience and quality efforts of the Prädium line. The Prädium line, in turn, is almost a little misunderstood, but it delivers very high-quality and moderately priced wines in the upper class.

The winery now produces wines in three lines. The Schreckbichler Classics, the Praedium line and the Cornell and Lafoa lines are structured like a pyramid. The latter, the most prestigious bottlings grow in prestigious vineyards with very limited yields. The classic line covers more than half of the production. These are mostly single varietal wines, as they have long been indigenous and common in South Tyrol. The Schreckbichlers achieved great success with the award-worthy Classic Line. This benefited directly from the experience and quality efforts of the Prädium line. The Prädium line, in turn, is almost a little misunderstood, but it delivers very high-quality and moderately priced wines in the upper class. - Gerardo [TS06/22]

"The Schreckbichl estate is closely interwoven with the success story of South Tyrolean viticulture. The pioneers of the successful career of this rock-solid company in Girlan are Luis and Wolfgang Raifer, who made the name Schreckbichl known and popular throughout the world. They used such great wines as Sauvignon Lafoa to open the door to international business. However, they also always pursued an intelligent pricing policy in which they never lost their sense of reality." - Gambero Rosso