Muri Gries | South Tyrol
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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
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Vernatsch Literflasche DOC 2022Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The Vernatsch grape is known in Germany as Trollinger and occupies a large part of the cultivated area in South Tyrol. Understandable, because what goes better with South Tyrolean bacon and other mountain delicacies? Bright ruby red shimmering in the glass with impressions of berry fruits and almonds in bouquet. In the drink of juicy fruit and soft tannins, even chilled a fun guarantor! - Gerardo [TS06/23]
€ 8,99 8,99 €/L
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Grauvernatsch DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The color of the Grauvernatsch is ruby red with violet tones. The aroma is fruity of heart cherries, cinnamon and some marzipan. Inviting and smooth on the palate - well structured, with soft tannins. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 9,95 13,27 €/L
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Kalterersee Auslese DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The color of Kalterersee Auslese is clear, fresh ruby red. On the nose, invitingly fresh and fruity of cherries and violets. In the drink youthful freshness, with soft tannins and some bitter almond in the finish. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 9,95 13,27 €/L
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Messwein · Weißburgunder Literflasche DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The grape variety also known as Pinot Bianco occupies the top position among the white grape varieties of South Tyrol. Delightful fruity aromas on the nose, refreshing on the palate with lots of delicate melting. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 9,99 9,99 €/L
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St. Magdalener Classico DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The color of St. Magdalener Classico is of strong ruby red, on the nose delicate cherry fruit with some plums and raspberries. Full and juicy on the palate, with a soft tannic structure, inviting and youthfully fresh. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 10,50 14,00 €/L
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Chardonnay DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Intense straw yellow color with greenish reflections in the glass. The bouquet is reminiscent of banana, citrus and dried hay. Full-bodied and harmonious on the palate, juicy and with a soft fullness. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 10,95 14,60 €/L
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Pinot Grigio DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The color of Pinot Gris is straw yellow with intense green reflections. The aroma is reminiscent of ripe Williams pear, mint, lemon balm and black tea. The taste is powerfully structured, rich and with a slightly bitter, long finish. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 10,95 14,60 €/L
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Terlaner Weißburgunder DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Bright straw yellow color with greenish reflections in the glass. In the aroma complex, intense and fruity of ripe apples and grapefruit. On the palate powerful and full-bodied, with race and elegance, mineral and salty with a juicy-fresh finish. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 11,50 15,33 €/L
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Lagrein Kretzer DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Lagrein Kretzer is fresh, bright cherry red in color. The bouquet is reminiscent of raspberries and currants, fresh and playful. The taste is juicy and drinkable, with pleasant, fine acidity. A rosato with red wine character. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 12,50 16,67 €/L
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Gewürztraminer DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Gewürztraminer (Traminer Aromatico) is light golden yellow in color. Its fragrance is elegantly aromatic, reminiscent of rose petals and cloves. The taste is inviting, fresh and youthful with a fine finish. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 12,95 17,27 €/L
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Sauvignon DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Straw yellow color with green reflections. In the bouquet fruity of gooseberry, nettle and lemon balm. On the palate juicy, salty and mineral with a nice acidity. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 12,95 17,27 €/L
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Blauburgunder DOC 2022Muri Gries, South Tyrol
The Pinot Noir of Muri Gries presents itself with a strong, bright dark ruby red color. Its bouquet is fruity, with hints of crisp ripe cherries, blackberries and raspberries. In the drink of medium structure, after berry fruit and some laurel with invigorating acidity. - Gerardo [TS06/23]
€ 13,50 18,00 €/L
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Lagrein DOC 2023Muri Gries, South Tyrol
Lagrein has a strong garnet red color. On the nose, this archetypal South Tyrolean red wine is reminiscent of violets, chocolate and cloves, invitingly open and complex. The taste is characterized by bitter almond tones, soft tannins and a rustic elegance. - Gerardo [TS06/24]
€ 13,50 18,00 €/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]