Despite it was established in 1960, the history of Produttori Colterenzio - Schreckbichl sets its root in ancient times, during the times of ancient Romans. In fact the vineyards of Colterenzio, are among the oldest in Europe and the Cornelianum estate - belonged to Cornelius, first Roman settler and viticulturist of the region - represents the starting point of the enological culture which had developed in the course of the centuries and culminated in the Middle Age. From Cornelius' estate derives Curilan, which 1000 years later will be called Cornaiano - or Girlan in German - the place where Produttori Colterenzio's headquarters are located. The recent history of this places began in 1960, when twenty eight wineries and estates located at Colterenzio, Cornaiano and Frangarto, decided to join their businesses therefore establishing Produttori Schreckbichl or Colterenzio winery.

A view of Produttori Colterenzio - Schreckbichl winery

 As a consequence of the successes of these producers, other wineries joined the consortium in the next years and today the acreage is of about 370 hectares (about 890 acres), located in the best viticultural areas. The secret of Colterenzio's success mainly derives from the strong conviction - even since those times - that quality should have been a primary and fundamental requisite for wine making production, something which should begin from the vineyard. The winery has been run by four chairmen, however the fundamental impulse was given in 1979 when Mr. Luis Raifer was called to run the winery. Thanks to his personality, to the trust from the members as well as by introducing managerial concepts typical of private businesses, Luis Raifer has practically given a new impulse to the winery by increasing the production of bottled wine, exports and income. The hardest job of Luis Raifer certainly was to convince the members that they could make more money by working differently, mainly concentrating on grapes quality instead of quantity.

 Even the remuneration system of members has changed according to this innovative principle: since many years the winery pays its members not according to the sugar quantities in their grapes, but according to the yield and to the destination of the grapes for the production of the many wines. By following these presuppositions, every year Produttori Colterenzio winery ideally awards those members who have shown a particular care in providing grapes of superior quality by using their harvests for the production of the most prestigious wines and selections. The quality process begins in the vineyard and in the cultural systems - both with the traditional pergola and with the modern Guyot - used for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, in part for Pinot Noir and experimentally for Lagrein. All the new vineyards are planted according the Guyot system. Moreover, viticulturists benefit of technical help and support provided by the winery, such as Mr. Donato Lanati, therefore allowing them to be continuously up to date by means of an exchange of experiences and information about the production of wine.

	Luis and Wolfgang Raifer - chairman and wine maker of Produttori Colterenzio

 Produttori Colterenzio winery aims to obtain specific and precise productive norms, such as the reduction of yields by means of accurate pruning in wintertime and specific lopping; use of nutritional substances of organic origin by planting leguminous plants and specific herbaceous blends; limitation of anti-parasite treatments in order not to harm useful insects; planting of clones with low yields per hectare in order to avoid molds while increasing quality. The selection of grapes continues in the winery at the moment in which they are provided by members. Grapes are being classified according to their quality and the ones which do not obey to strict and specific criteria - not perfectly ripe or rotten grapes - are excluded. The grape is also classified in order to determine its destination for the production of wines and blends. It should also be observed that at Produttori Colterenzio the selection of grape is done by means of tasting in order to define not only its quality but also its organoleptic characteristics.

 Produttori Colterenzio's vineyards are located in many areas of Alto Adige, at different altitudes and cultivated in different soils and microclimates. From the area of Cornaiano and Appiano Monte - at an altitude of 400-600 meters (1300-2000 feet) - are generally cultivated white berried grapes, such as Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. From the area of Settequerce - near Terlan - and Gries, in the neighboring of Bozen, are cultivated red berried grapes used for full bodied wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Lagrein. In the sunny hills of Cornaiano are found the vineyards of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Schiava and Gewürztraminer. Having vineyards in such a wide and diverse area - which from Salorno and Settequerce goes to the valley of Santa Maddalena, near Bozen - lets Produttori Colterenzio winery to use grapes cultivated in different microclimates and with different times of ripeness, therefore increasing the variety and personality of wines.

 Produttori Colterenzio winery, by applying its productive philosophy, always aims to get the best possible quality, in every condition and with every grape, either autochthonous or international. The winery uses fermentation tanks which allow a constant control of temperature, particularly suited for the fermentation of white wines in order to allow them to completely express their varietal character. Red wines are being aged in casks of different sizes, according to the style of wine to be obtained and according to the variety. The aging of special wines is done in barrique, and after months of aging are bottled both as monovarietals and used for the making of the winery's blends, now famous worldwide. In the philosophy of Produttori Colterenzio making wine means having the consciousness and the pleasure of making a product, direct expression of its homeland, capable of communicating, as every wine, even the most ambitious and important one, is always made in order to be drunk with joy, to give emotions and sensations to the ones who uncork the bottle. Indeed - in Colterenzio's wines - one truly has the idea this philosophy is confirmed in the glass.

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