Who makes it
Günther Kerschbaumer is the winemaker at Köfererhof, Meinrad Zöschg is the agronomist, and Gaby Kerschbaumer works on marketing. The estate farms six hectares of vineyards and specializes in white wines. Seven white grape varieties grow here, with Kerner among them. Farming uses integrated and sustainable methods with low environmental impact, moving toward organic practices.
For years, the Kerschbaumer family sold grapes from Köfererhof to other local wineries. In 1995, the estate began bottling its own wines. The change moved Köfererhof from selling fruit to presenting finished bottles under the Köfererhof name. Kerner and the other white grape varieties grown at the estate now appear in wines bottled by Köfererhof.
Where it grows
Neustift, also called Novacella, is the home of Köfererhof in the municipality of Vahrn, or Varna, in South Tyrol. Köfererhof's Kerner is a Südtiroler wine from Valle Isarco, so the label names a regional appellation alongside the white grape variety. The estate's white focus continues across Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Müller Thurgau, Riesling and Sylvaner.
Terraced vineyards at 650 to 700 metres sit inside a harsh mountain climate with long winters and later ripening. The vines grow through extreme differences between day and night temperatures. Under these conditions, Köfererhof's white grapes mature into characterful, juicy and fresh wines.
How it is made
The cellar
Harvest takes place in mid October, and all grapes are picked by hand. The fruit is processed gently in the cellar to retain each variety's character. Fermentation normally proceeds with indigenous yeasts, except in a particularly difficult vintage.
What they make
Kerner is the named varietal white in a range that also includes Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Müller Thurgau, Riesling and Sylvaner. Most wines ferment and age in temperature controlled tanks. Pinot Grigio and Sylvaner R receive part of their ageing in large acacia casks, so the range includes both tank aged wines and wines with partial acacia ageing.
Across the range, the whites are fresh and aromatic. The Kerner brings lime peel and chalk, followed by seaweed and iodine. Dried herbs and musky white peach add a savory note. Its palate has juicy acidity and crisp orchard fruit. Green melon lingers through a long, refreshing finish, while sour lime remains at the close.