A $30 lip-smacker that blurs the lines between pink and red.

The wines of Ignaz Niedrist have graced our shelves for many vintages – cooling, mineral-driven bottles that could only be from the foot of the Italian Alps.

An Alto Adige-based family farm for two centuries, the realities of two world wars brought wine production to a halt; until 1989 when Ignaz and Elisabeth Niedrist began making wine again. Now, they are actively working with (and passing the reins to) their children, Maria and Johannes. Per the family:

“Where multiple generations and strong personalities work together, discussions will arise. This creates a space to exchange views, learn from one another and move forward with new solutions.”

Photos via @weingutniedrist: Maria bottling Pinot as a child; Maria picking Vernatsch; Johannes in the vineyard; their incredibly picturesque vineyard in Kalterersee.

Aside from being charismatic and refreshing, their wines check a lot of boxes for us: biodynamic farming, a push for biodiversity, native varietals, low-intervention winemaking, and of course, vineyards rooted in limestone and dolomite soils ;)

We've had a drop of their Schiava-based blend, a gastronomic, is-it-pink-or-is-it-red bottle that flexes hard this time of year:

2023 'KALTERERSEE' CLASSICO SUPERIORE 
95% Vernatsch (Schiava) with 5% Teroldego and Lagrein, from 80-90 year old biodynamic vines overlooking Kalterer See (aka Lake Caldaro), which is closer to St. Moritz than it is to Milan. After fermentation in large wooden vats, it's racked to large barrels where it rests until the following summer. A crisp chillable red, fresh and bright; with some sneaky Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte vibes that bring it down to earth. $30

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