Nals Margreid
Bolzano, Trentino-Aldo Adige
A small co-operative in the truest sense of the word, Nals Margreid was founded by a small group of growers in the alpine area of Sudtirol to collectively produce fine, high-altitude wines from their small parcels of fruit which in many cases had been hand tended for generations. Today, Nals Margreid is one of the pre-eminent producers in the zone, consistently producing wines with the racy acidity, crystalline fruit purity and textural nuance which are hallmarks of great wine from this spectacular region.
The Pinots Grigio and Bianco from Nals are some of the finest produced in Italy, and resemble the icy, rocky terroir in which they are raised. And while it’s these two known varieties which bear the flag worldwide, the native, aromatic Moscato Giallo and the incredibly fragrant Schiava are the true hidden gems from this iconic winery.
Alto Adige (aka Südtirol) is quite possibly the most picturesque wine region in the world. Its wines are the quintessence of Northern European efficiency, combined with Southern European laisser-faire. Nals Margreid are well versed in the diverse Süd Tirolean territory and culture; they’re particularly adept at producing both racy, Germanic white wines and spicy, Tuscan-style red wines from indigenous varieties of international stature.
“Everything I do is based on a fundamental principle: to create wines that distinguish themselves by their expressive character and uniqueness. Nature is my passion; its terroir and microclimate are our greatest assets. I follow the work from the vineyards, and with consistency, dedication, and experience, I pursue the development of our wines. And I am delighted when our wines leave an indelible mark on the World.” Harrald Schraffl, winemaker and CEO.
2023 Müller Thurgau ‘Obern Berg’
A cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royale, Müller Thurgau was created by Swiss botanist Hermann Müller, who came from the canton of Thurgau — hence the name.
While Müller Thurgau is widely planted across Europe, it rarely reaches real distinction. Alto Adige is one of the exceptions. Here, at higher altitudes and with naturally low yields, its early-ripening character and Riesling-like freshness come into sharp focus.
The result is a wine with aromatic lift, clarity and precision — bright, refined and absolutely worth taking seriously.
Winemaking
The fruit comes from the highest vineyards (500-600 meters above sea level) situated in the Bassa Atesina area of Alto Adige.
The vines grow on limestone gravel and benefit from long, cool ripening conditions. Once hand harvested, the fruit is gently pressed and the clarified must is fermented in stainless steel tanks for 3 weeks. Once the alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wine is aged on lees for five months.
Tasting Notes
A pale-yellow hue reveals an intense bouquet of apple, peach, and elderflower on the nose. It has a juicy palate filled with tangy citrus characters and complete with a poised acid backbone creating great structure and lingering floral notes.
2020 Pinot Bianco ‘Sirmian’
Pinot Bianco is at home in Südtirol’s most elevated sites scattered among the glacial valley (800 meters above sea level).
With white wines accounting for over 20% of the region’s production, Pinot Bianco has greatly benefitted from region-wide improvements in viticultural practices that brought about smaller yields of top-quality fruit offering producers a plethora of winemaking options.
The steep uplands that give birth to the ‘Sirmian’ Pinot Bianco are located above the village of Nals.
Winemaking
Situated at 500-750 meters above sea level, the historical Sirmian vineyard gives its name to this Pinot Bianco. It’s south-east facing and contain limestone, gneiss, mica, slate and marble, that originated millions of years ago from the glaciers of the Western Alps.
This morainic deposit is permeable and sits on top of porphyry prehistoric bedrock. They impart a unique raw salinity to the grapes. The mild summers and cool autumns allow a longer ripening period and a later harvest in mid-October.
The grapes are hand harvested, crushed, then pressed to stainless steel tanks for the majority, and large oak barrels for a small part. After fermentation, the wine is left on its fine lees for added texture and complexity.
Tasting Notes
As expected of a Pinot Bianco of this calibre, the Sirmian Pinot Bianco shows incredible complexity.
When first smelling it, the Sirmian Pinot Bianco offers a tantalising mix of fruit and salinity. The nose is so inviting with yellow apple, pear and hints of brioche and delicate vanilla sugar spice.
The palate couldn’t be drier, though; it bursts with intense grapefruit and snow pea shoot characters, and a salty minerality balanced with a light yet piercing acidity polishing the finish off nicely.
Reviews
"Very pale. Full of very pure, alpine fruit with great freshness. It’s like biting into the crispest apple imaginable! With very slight, appetising bitterness on the finish."
17/20 pts Jancis Robinson, Jancis Robinson
2023 Schiava ‘Pfeffersburger’
Pfeffersburger Schiava comes from the steep, south‑ and south‑east facing slopes of Santa Maddalena near Bolzano, where vines rooted in gravelly porphyry soil make the most of Alto Adige’s warm Mediterranean summers and mild winters.
Schiava (locally Vernatsch) has long been a quiet constant. In the finest hillside sites it earns the name Edelvernatsch, or “noble Vernatsch”, reserved for elevated, structured expressions of the grape.
Winemaking
Hand‑harvested fruit is gently destemmed and fermented in stainless steel with careful pumping over, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine then matures for seven months in 80 hl wooden barrels, preserving purity of fruit while adding a subtle structural complexity.
Tasting Notes
The Pfeffersburger’s nose shows fresh undergrowth, blackberry, blueberry and pepper leaf, leading to a juicy, medium‑bodied palate with notes of red plum, cherry and a touch of almond on the finish. The wine balances bright fruit with a cool‑climate freshness and gentle tannin, making it both vibrant and approachable.
Review
“Very floral and bright with dried tropical fruits and citrus. Pear blossom as well. Medium‑bodied with pretty fruit, creamy texture and a delicious finish.” 93 pts, James Suckling