Niklas Schiava, Südtiroler Kälterer See, Alto Adige, Italy 2025
Dieter Sölva farms in the small village of St. Nikolaus, high on the west side of a valley that runs north into the Dolomites, in Italy's German-speaking Alto Adige. A graduate of the region's respected enology school at San Michele — as was his father before him — Dieter continues a tradition of precise, clean winemaking that has made this corner of the South Tyrol known for some of Italy's finest whites, and increasingly for its lighter, food-friendly reds. This bottling once carried the traditional designation "Kalterersee Auslese" before being renamed for export under the grape's Italian name, Schiava — often called one of Italy's closest answers to Beaujolais.
- Winemaker: Dieter Sölva
- Farming: Integrated Pest Management, practicing organic
- Variety: 100% Schiava (also known as Vernatsch or Trollinger)
- Terroir: Südtiroler Kälterer See DOC, in the South Tyrol district of Alto Adige, from vineyards surrounding Lake Caldaro; vines planted between 1980 and 1990 at 300–400 meters on loam and calcareous gravel; harvested end of September into early October.
- Vinification: Vinified entirely in stainless steel; five days of maceration followed by controlled, low-temperature fermentation.
- Aging: Four months in stainless steel tank; light filtration, no fining or cold stabilization before bottling.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale, bright, and aromatic, with notes of wild strawberry, red currant, orange peel, and alpine herbs. Light-bodied and juicy on the palate, with soft tannins and a clean, refreshing finish. Chill it slightly and it absolutely sings.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Speck and charcuterie, pizza, grilled chicken, pork, or salmon. Ideal for lighter, casual meals; best at cellar temperature or lightly chilled.
Niklas Schiava, Südtiroler Kälterer See, Alto Adige, Italy 2025
Dieter Sölva farms in the small village of St. Nikolaus, high on the west side of a valley that runs north into the Dolomites, in Italy's German-speaking Alto Adige. A graduate of the region's respected enology school at San Michele — as was his father before him — Dieter continues a tradition of precise, clean winemaking that has made this corner of the South Tyrol known for some of Italy's finest whites, and increasingly for its lighter, food-friendly reds. This bottling once carried the traditional designation "Kalterersee Auslese" before being renamed for export under the grape's Italian name, Schiava — often called one of Italy's closest answers to Beaujolais.
- Winemaker: Dieter Sölva
- Farming: Integrated Pest Management, practicing organic
- Variety: 100% Schiava (also known as Vernatsch or Trollinger)
- Terroir: Südtiroler Kälterer See DOC, in the South Tyrol district of Alto Adige, from vineyards surrounding Lake Caldaro; vines planted between 1980 and 1990 at 300–400 meters on loam and calcareous gravel; harvested end of September into early October.
- Vinification: Vinified entirely in stainless steel; five days of maceration followed by controlled, low-temperature fermentation.
- Aging: Four months in stainless steel tank; light filtration, no fining or cold stabilization before bottling.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale, bright, and aromatic, with notes of wild strawberry, red currant, orange peel, and alpine herbs. Light-bodied and juicy on the palate, with soft tannins and a clean, refreshing finish. Chill it slightly and it absolutely sings.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Speck and charcuterie, pizza, grilled chicken, pork, or salmon. Ideal for lighter, casual meals; best at cellar temperature or lightly chilled.