Muri Gries | South Tyrol
The present monastery of Muri-Gries was developed towards the end of the 11th century by the Counts of Bolzano as a base against the city of Bolzano, which was then ruled by the Trentino bishops. Originally the old settlement center was called Cheller, only in the 15th century this name was replaced by Gries. A few kilometers south of the present monastery there used to be an Augustinian canons' monastery, which was repeatedly flooded by mudslides, so that in 1407 the Provincial Duke of Tyrol gave his castle at Gries to the homeless monks, who expanded it into a new monastery. After the construction of the baroque church in the years 1770 to 1780, the old gothic church, built in 1407, was secularized and converted in the upper part into a bibilotheque, in the lower part into a wine cellar.
In 1841, the Benedictines of the Swiss monastery of Muri, who had been forced to leave their ancestral home, were given permission to move into the monastery, which had in the meantime been abandoned by the Augustinians, and subsequently the monks developed a lively wine trade with Switzerland. In recent decades, sales have slowly shifted from barrels to bottles.
Characteristic of the wines produced today by the young cellar master Christian Werth is an acid accentuated, almost steely fruitiness in the whites, and in the reds a very good level especially of the native Lagrein, whose immensely storable Riserva may be counted among the great red wines of South Tyrol. - Gerardo [TS06/22]
"Muri-Gries is an impressive Benedictine monastery in the Bolzano district of Gries. Behind the massive walls, the city seems far away, the hustle and bustle stays outside. In addition to the fratres, there are also some laymen within the monastery walls. Cellar master Christian Werth is one of them. He is particularly fond of the Lagrein variety. It is important to know that Lagrein originally comes from the Grieser vineyards. The vineyards around the monastery are considered the Grand Cru of Lagrein. With his Riserva Abbey Muri, Christian Werth is one of the pioneers for the barrique aging of Lagrein. By aging in small wooden barrels, it gains suppleness and density." - Falstaff
'For decades, the fate of the Werth family has been firmly linked to that of the Muri-Gries monastery winery. Christian Werth, the current Önologist, now seems to live in symbiosis with the Lagrein grape and in particular with the Abbey Riserva, which has become a prime example of wines made from this grape variety." - Gambero Rosso
Region: Alto-Adige Grape Variety: Lagrein Classic: Lagrein Riserva
Vernatsch Literflasche DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Vernatsch, known as Trollinger in Germany, is one of the most traditional grape varieties in South Tyrol and dominates a considerable part of the cultivated area there. No wonder, as this wine goes perfectly with typical South Tyrolean specialties such as speck and other hearty mountain delicacies. It shimmers a bright ruby red in the glass, accompanied by a bouquet reminiscent of fresh berries and delicate almond tones. On the palate, it impresses with its juicy fruitiness and soft tannins, which give it...
€ 8,99 = 8,99 €/L
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Grauvernatsch DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The South Tyrolean Grauvernatsch is a deep ruby red with violet reflections in the glass. The fruity aroma unfolds notes of heart cherries, complemented by subtle nuances of cinnamon and marzipan. It is inviting and supple on the palate, well-structured with soft, harmonious tannins that make it particularly accessible. - Gerardo [TS10/24]
€ 9,95 = 13,27 €/L
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Kalterersee Auslese DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The Kalterersee Auslese shines in a clear, fresh ruby red. The bouquet is invitingly fresh and fruity, with aromas of ripe cherries and a hint of violets. On the palate, it is youthful and lively, with soft tannins and a fine bitter almond note on the finish, which gives it additional depth. - Gerardo [TS10/24]
€ 9,95 = 13,27 €/L
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Messwein · Weißburgunder Literflasche DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Pinot Blanc, also known as Pinot Bianco, is one of the leading white grape varieties in South Tyrol and is particularly popular. Fine fruity aromas reminiscent of fresh apple and pear unfold on the nose, while its refreshing acidity and delicate melting texture create a harmonious overall picture on the palate. This Pinot Blanc is a wine of pleasant freshness and lightness that is suitable for many occasions and impresses with its accessibility. Ideal for summer days or as an uncomplicated accompaniment to...
€ 9,99 = 9,99 €/L
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St. Magdalener Classico DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The St. Magdalener Classico impresses with its intense ruby red color in the glass. Delicate aromas of cherries, plums and raspberries unfold on the nose. It is full and juicy on the palate, with a soft tannin structure that makes it youthfully fresh and inviting. A harmonious companion for many...
€ 10,50 = 14,00 €/L
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Chardonnay DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The South Tyrolean Chardonnay shines in the glass in an intense straw yellow with fine greenish reflections. Its bouquet unfolds harmonious aromas of ripe banana, fresh citrus fruit and subtle hay, making it particularly inviting. On the palate, it is full-bodied and balanced, with juicy freshness and a soft, creamy fullness that rounds off the drinking experience and gives it a pleasantly harmonious structure. - Gerardo [TS10/24]
€ 10,95 = 14,60 €/L
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Terlaner Weißburgunder DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The Terlaner Pinot Bianco presents itself in a bright straw yellow with greenish reflections. The aroma is intense and complex, characterized by ripe apples and fresh grapefruit. It unfolds its full power and elegance on the palate, accompanied by a racy, mineral note and a juicy, fresh finish that lingers for a long...
€ 11,50 = 15,33 €/L
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Gewürztraminer DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The South Tyrolean Gewürztraminer shines in a light golden yellow and seduces the nose with its elegant and intense aroma of rose petals and spicy cloves. This Traminer, also known as Traminer Aromatico, is fresh and youthful on the palate, with lively acidity and a balanced, fine finish. Its aromatic richness and elegant yet powerful body make it a characterful representative of this popular grape variety from South Tyrol. - Gerardo [TS10/24]
€ 12,95 = 17,27 €/L
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Sauvignon DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The South Tyrolean Sauvignon has a straw-yellow color with green reflections. Its bouquet is fruity and complex, with notes of gooseberries, nettle and lemon balm. On the palate, it impresses with its juicy freshness, mineral depth and harmonious acidity, which lends the wine elegance and liveliness. - Gerardo [TS10/24]
€ 12,95 = 17,27 €/L
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Blauburgunder DOC 2022Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The Pinot Noir from Muri Gries impresses with a strong, dark ruby red color that shines in the glass. Its bouquet unfolds fruity aromas reminiscent of juicy, ripe cherries, blackberries and raspberries. On the palate, the wine has a medium structure, characterized by the freshness of the berry fruit and a fine note of laurel. A lively, invigorating acidity gives it additional character and ensures balanced, harmonious drinking pleasure. - Gerardo [TS10/23]
€ 13,50 = 18,00 €/L
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Lagrein DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The Lagrein impresses with a strong, purple-red color that reflects its depth and structure. On the nose, this archetypal South Tyrolean red wine develops a multi-layered bouquet of violets, ripe plums, chocolate and spicy notes such as cloves. This combination makes it particularly inviting and complex. On the palate, the Lagrein presents itself with an elegant, velvety structure that is supported by densely woven tannins. Fine bitter almond notes and a rustic elegance round off the taste and give the...
€ 13,50 = 18,00 €/L
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Blauburgunder DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The Pinot Noir from Muri Gries impresses with a strong, dark ruby red color that shines in the glass. Its bouquet unfolds fruity aromas reminiscent of juicy, ripe cherries, blackberries and raspberries. On the palate, the wine has a medium structure, characterized by the freshness of the berry fruit and a fine note of laurel. A lively, invigorating acidity gives it additional character and ensures balanced, harmonious drinking pleasure. - Gerardo [TS10/24]
€ 14,50 = 19,33 €/L
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Region: Alto-Adige Grape Variety: Lagrein Classic: Lagrein Riserva
Muri Gries | South Tyrol | Buy at Gerardo
It is the Counts of Bolzano who, towards the 11th century, build a fortified base in the center of the former 'Cheller', today's 'Gries" - as a counterpoint to the city of Bolzano, which was then ruled by the bishops of Trento. The name Gries appears for the first time around 1185. It was not until the 15th century, however, that it replaced 'Cheller', the old name of the area. Meinhard II of Gorizia-Tyrol resided as a sovereign independent of the empire in the fort of Gries, which was already equipped with a mighty keep around 1200. This is still preserved today in the bell tower. In 1407 Duke Leopold, landlord of Tyrol, donated the castle to the homeless Augustinian canons whose monastery in the Au was flooded. The castle complex is converted into a monastery. In 1416, a two-nave Gothic church is built on the site of the old castle chapel, which, however, loses its function again in 1788 when the new Baroque church is built.
In 1845, Muri-Gries is finally born: the Benedectines, who had been expelled from their monastery at Muri in the Swiss canton of Aargau, founded in 1027, move into the Augustinian choir monastery at Gries, which has since been dissolved. A new chapter in the centuries-old history of the castle and monastery at Gries begins: the history of Muri-Gries. Almost 30 hectares of vineyards, 52 hectares of orchards, a mountain farm in Kampidell near Jenesien with 145 hectares of meadows and woods, cattle breeding - 45 large livestock units are kept in the stables - and timber farming are now part of the agricultural business of Muri-Gries Monastery. In addition, there is the monastery nursery with the well-tended monastery garden, which also provides the flower decorations for the church. For centuries, the monastery has been self-sufficient in terms of agricultural products and food. Even the self-pressed wine served for a long time mainly for the monastery's own needs.
With the arrival of the Benedictine Fathers from Muri in 1845, a new phase in the viticultural history of the monastery at Gries begins. The monks take their religious rule ''ora et labora'' seriously also in the monastic vineyards. With the beginning of the 20th century the winery of Muri-Gries opens. The first major wine sales are made with open wine shipments over the Brenner Pass to the northern German-speaking countries. The open wine trade begins: St. Magdalener and Malvasier, Lagrein Kretzer (Rosè) and Ruländer are mainly those that mature in the old cellars.
In 1968, a decisive turning point occurs in the monastery winery: For the first time, its own wines are bottled on a larger scale in the winery itself. The classic open wine business continues for several years, especially in the local South Tyrolean market. More and more, however, a consistent approach to quality prevails. In 1985, Lagrein finally moves up to first place in the wine hierarchy of the Klosterkellerei. The Lagrein begins to show its true profile. Muri-Gries recognizes the values of the old, native and often neglected grape varieties. The awareness of its own tradition is revived. Relying on the quality of its own grape varieties, working with its own resources and building on them, this becomes the secret of success of the monastery winery. Today Muri-Gries is a classic winery with 85% red wines and 15% white wines. Among the reds, Lagrein clearly dominates with 80%. The rest is divided between Vernatsch with St. Magdalener and Kalterersee Auslese, Blauburgunder and Rosenmuskateller. Among the white wines, Pinot Blanc, Ruländer, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer take center stage. Well over 90% of production is now sold as quality wines in 0.75-liter bottles. - Gerardo [TS06/22]