Alois Lageder

"We must learn (once more) to think in terms of a larger, more comprehensive framework. If I do not pay attention to a vital, healthy soil free of harmful substances, the vines will not have a basis for harmonious development. They will be more susceptible to disease, they will not ripen harmoniously, and they will generally be essentially weak. If humans are forced to work in unhealthy, boring buildings, they will not feel well, their work and their work product will deteriorate accordingly. These are actually very simple principles, but it takes a bit of courage to implement these ideas. However, it is clear that we cannot simply continue with our old methods, we are in a cul-de-sac. Just look at the example of climate change." Alois Lageder

Located in the German speaking village of Magreid in the mountains of Northern Italy, Lageder runs his domaine on an incredibly sustainable basis. There are solar panels on the top of the gravity-fed winery, geothermic heat exchange cools the cellars and biodynamics rule in the vineyard. Indeed dotted around the winery there are 53 star maps carved in black granite, symbolising the influence of the stars and moon on the growth of the vines and on the procedures in the cellar.

The range of wines is typical of the region, a swathe of single varietal wines with differing levels of intensity. The regular cuvees are all textbook examples of their grapes: pure, crisp and refreshing with fine minerality. Moving up, the single vineyard wines are deeper with greater concentration, frequently boosted by a small percentage of oak aged wines in the blend. At the top of the range, the single vineyard wines are fantastic expressions of both grape and terroir and display the elegance and focus that are the hallmarks of great Alto Adige wines.

New for this year are two biodynamic wines grown on Lageder's own estate and certified by Demeter. Both are dual varietals: the white is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco and the red Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wines are labelled as IGT Dolomiti rather than DOC Alto Adige owing to the fact the DOC rules do not permit two varietals to appear on the label. Launched at our Annual Tasting this year they were very warmly received and are further evidence of the purity and vibrancy that following biodynamics can bring to ones wines.