Bolzano
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Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Bolzano, South Tyrol
People: Matthias Messner, Managing Director | Stephan Filippi, Winemaker
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Cantina Bolzano (Kellerei Bozen) represents the union of two historic cooperatives of Alto Adige. In 1908, 30 growers in the Gries quarter of Bolzano formed a cooperative dedicated to elevating Lagrein, the powerful, native red grape of the warm valley floor. In 1930, 18 growers on the slopes of Santa Maddalena followed suit, focused on preserving and promoting Schiava through the region’s signature St. Magdalener wines.
For nearly a century, these two collectives championed local, autochthonous varieties. In 2001, they merged to form Cantina Bolzano, today one of Alto Adige’s leading cooperatives. What began as two focused grower groups is now a community of 224 families, united by a shared commitment to diversity, sustainability, and uncompromising quality.
As Director Matthias Messner explains:
“Without our grower families, there would be no Cantina Bolzano. They are the roots of everything we do – generation after generation, working their land with care and passion. This is not just winemaking; it’s community in its purest form.”
Cantina Bolzano farms approximately 350 hectares across Bolzano, stretching from 200 to 1,000 meters above sea level around Gries, Santa Maddalena, S. Maurizio, Missiano, Renon, and beyond. Most members tend just a few acres of vines, often land that’s been in the family for generations. Cooperation here isn’t corporate consolidation but instead a preservation model that allows small growers to remain on their land.
Alto Adige is a geological mosaic with a vast diversity of soil and microclimates. Valley floors feature deep, warm, alluvial soils ideal for structured Lagrein and Bordeaux varieties. Hillsides are lighter, sandy, and well-aerated, which is perfect for Schiava and aromatic whites. Higher elevations bring cooler temperatures and dramatic diurnal shifts, producing whites with tension and lift. The diversity allows each grape to be planted precisely where it performs best.
On the hillsides and higher slopes, vines are planted to steep terraces. Farming is largely manual. The cooperative emphasizes near-natural farming, careful soil stewardship, and rigorous fruit selection. Every vineyard parcel is vinified with site specificity in mind, honoring the diversity that defines Bolzano.
Architecture as Philosophy
In 2018, Cantina Bolzano unveiled a striking new winery on Via San Maurizio — a gleaming cube rising from the hillside. Built to rigorous low-energy standards, the structure is certified under CasaClima Wine®, a benchmark for sustainability and renewable energy use.
The winery is largely underground, naturally insulated by the hillside to maintain stable temperatures. The design is intentional and gravity-fed: grapes enter at the highest level and move downward through five tiers without pumps, preserving fruit integrity while minimizing energy use. Solar panels, pellet-fired heating, passive cooling systems, and biodegradable vineyard materials underscore a serious commitment to climate responsibility. The result is a facility where architecture, energy efficiency, and winemaking precision work in seamless alignment. Learn more about their sustainability certifications.