Since it was founded in 1907, Hofstätter has been tending vineyards on both east and west sides of the Adige Valley in the mountainous Valle dei Ronchi in southern Trentino, Italy, and has been heralded for having a deep sense of place in all of their wines. Today, fourth generation Martin Foradori Hofstätter is at the helm of the winery, and his commitment to carrying on this family legacy couldn’t be clearer.
On the estate, grapes are grown up to 850 metres (2790 feet) on steep slopes where they enjoy the moderating effect of both cool winds from the mountains and warm breezes from the valley over a long growing season that results in great flavour complexity. The vineyards are made up of a mix of soils including gravel, sand, calcareous and volcanic, adding a range of mineral intensity. Fruit ripens at different times of the day depending on which side of the valley it is grown and whether the vines receive morning, afternoon or evening sun. Each vineyard site has been carefully chosen to suit each specific varietal. In the winery, simple and time-honoured practices like cool ferments, skin maceration and lees aging allow varietal characteristics and unique terroirs to shine.
In a region known for cooperatives, Hofstätter wines are 100% estate grown. In an industry known for following market trends, Hofstätter makes tradition and terroir the focus of their work, producing wines of exceptional quality and character.
Hofstätter 2021 Weißburgunder – Pinot Bianco, Sudtirol
Retail: $31.95 / bt (6bt/cs)
Hofstätter 2021 Sauvignon, Suditrol
Retail: $38.95 / bt (6bt/cs)
Hofstätter 2021 ‘Joseph’ Gewürztraminer, Alto Adige
Retail: $38.95 / bt (6bt/cs)
Hofstätter 2020 Lagrein, Sudtirol
Retail: $36.95 / bt (6bt/cs)
Click HERE to order!
The Wines
Hofstätter 2021 Weißburgunder – Pinot Bianco, Sudtirol
90 points – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022
“The 2021 Weissburgunder Pinot Bianco wafts up with savory herbs and zests of lime before settling on crushed apples and hints of ginger. This is soft-textured, almost glycerol in feel, with a reverberation od citrus tension that nicely contrasts its lovely inner sweetness. It leaves a subtle staining of minerals through the long and juicy finale.”
Hofstätter 2021 Sauvignon, Suditrol
An inviting bouquet that reveals notes of gooseberry, elderflower, nettles and flint. Well balanced and firmly structured, the palate displays notes of tart citrus, stone fruit, white floral blossoms and crushed stone. Loads of minerals and clearly defined varietal notes carry through on the finish.
Hofstätter 2021 ‘Joseph’ Gewürztraminer, Alto Adige
Highly aromatic, spicy and perfumed up front, followed by rosewater, peach jam and a touch of minty herbs. Full-bodied and balanced on the palate with refined expressions of kiwi and lychee fruit mixed with exotic spice on the long finish.
Hofstätter 2020 Lagrein, Sudtirol
Deep, brilliant ruby in the glass. Superb balance between notes of spice, black fruits and floral notes of violets. Its fragrance is striking, clear, captivating and fresh. Very harmonious on the palate, with assertive but supple tannins that are full, broad, and velvety. The texture is round and the finish displays subtle spice enlivened by palate lifting acidity.
Click HERE to order!
About Hofstätter
Joseph Hofstätter established this winery in 1907, in what was then Austria. Today, the Alto Adige (aka Südtirol) is Italian territory, albeit with a distinctly German accent. Both languages are used, and towns and villages have dual names. The village of Termeno (Tramin in German – an indication that this is an historic home of Gewurztraminer…) lies in the warm southern part of the region, where figs, lemons and olives thrive.
Hofstätter farms 50 hectares, and is unique in that they have vineyards on both the east and west side of the the Adige River, with very distinct terroir. There are 6 separate estates (Vigna), Barthenau being the location of the family home, and location of some remarkable blocks of old vine Pinot Nero.
It was in 1942 that Hofstätter’s nephew Konrad Oberhofer assumed control of the company, and established the practice of isolating the best vineyards into separate lots. He was first in the region to produce single-vineyard designated wines. Oberhofer’s daughter married Paolo Foradori, bringing additional important vineyards and advanced vineyard-management techniques to the estate.
Paolo Foradori & Sieglinde Oberhofer’s son, Martin Foradori Hofstätter has been responsible for this historic family estate since 1992. Martin’s cousin, Elisabetta Foradori is also an esteemed winemaker, with an estate in nearby Trentino. Clearly, this is an important family, with very deep roots in the region.
The modern cellar was completely refurbished in 2013, with conical concrete fermentation vessels replacing the stainless tanks installed in the 1970s. The stunningly beautiful cellar was designed to handle many small lots of wine from the multitude of vineyards that make up the estate. Traditional grape varieties of the Alto Adige are cultivated, with a focus on Gewürztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Lagrein, Schiava and Pinot Nero. French varietals, including Pinot Noir/Nero and Blanc/Bianco were introduced to the region in the 1850s. Gewurztraminer has been grown here since the 18th century (in spite of the urban legend that it originates here, it came to Traminer from the Rhine). Single-vineyard wines are clearly indicated with the name of the ‘Vigna’, differentiating them from the ‘village’ wines coming from multiple vineyards. The village wines are pure, classic expressions of the traditional varietals (primarily from purchased fruit), while the single-vineyard and Reserve bottlings show the great potential of these historic sites. Simply put, these wines will change perceptions, and their international reputation is well-deserved.
Ian D’Agata wrote in Vinous.com, “Understanding the wines of Alto Adige (also called Süd Tirol by those more Germanically inclined) is easy: there is no region in Italy that makes better red or whites. Yes, Piedmont and Tuscany make a slew of unforgettable red wines, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Campania are home to many world-class whites, and Abruzzo and Puglia make some of the world’s best and most underrated Rosati (Rosé) wines; but no region in Italy makes more high-quality whites and reds than Alto Adige.” Feb 2020.
Interesting note: 75% of the vineyards in the Alto Adige are managed by co-ops, and 90% of vineyards in Trentino are controlled by two large co-ops.
NEW! Order online at TheVineAgency.ca.
You can also email wine@thevineagency.ca or call 416.693.7994. We’d love to chat about wine with you!
Hofstätter is represented in Ontario by The Vine Agency.
The Vine Agency are a Good Food Fighter.
Please support the businesses and organizations that support Good Food Revolution.
