WINERY Elena Walch is a 5-generation family-run estate in Alto Adige, a region in the North-East part of Italy that led the wine quality revolution in the area and has gained a prominent international reputation. The philosophy of the estate is dedicated to its terroir – the idea that wines must be the individual expression of their soil, climate and cultivation in the vineyard – and that this must be maintained according to principles of sustainability and passed on to the next generation. The firm belief that the quality of wine is created in the vineyard requires uncompromising work, taking into account the individuality of each vineyard. With 90 hectares in cultivation, including the two top vineyards VIGNA Castel Ringberg in Caldaro und VIGNA Kastelaz in Tramin, Elena Walch belongs to the most important protagonists of Alto Adige winemaking.

WINE Produced since 2000, Alto Adige‘s first white, based on Chardonnay, is a parcel selection of the highest quality grapes from different grape varieties, fermented and matured together in wood. The different levels of maturity of the grape varieties and a selection that is already created in the vineyard are reflected in the untamed character of the cuvée.

The 2022 wine year began with a warm spring, which led to an early start of flowering. The succeeding summer was consistently dry and warm-to-hot by the midsummer. The drought did not cause any problems, not at least thanks to our irrigation systems and smart technology. The warm summer months have resulted in extraordinarily healthy grapes of very good quality and maturity. The acidity values were somewhat lower due to the vintage, but well balanced and were supported by targeted foliage work during the summer months, and a slightly earlier harvest. The first grapes were harvested at the end of August ― as always entirely by hand. Overall, the wines show complexity, great structure and very good fruit.

The various grape varieties get picked as soon as the Chardonnay reaches optimum maturity. All varieties get crushed and pressed together after which they also ferment together in new French oak barriques. Part of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, after which it is matured for another 10 months in barrique with lees being regularly stirred up. The finished wine is bottle aged for at least 6 months before being released.

Brilliant, intensive yellow is the color of our white blend Beyond the Clouds. In the nose, a complex, beguiling play of aromas unfurls with fruity nuances of exotic fruits such as pineapple, notes of blossoms and flowers, of rose petals and light toast aromas. Dense and complex, the wine enthuses on the palate: with fullness and structure, creamily soft and elegant, stimulatingly fresh and juicy with a discreetly incorporated, modest note of wood and a long reverberation of taste.