Three decades of SONNTALER: a wine close to our hearts turns 30

Alongside the 125th anniversary of our winery, this year we’re raising a glass to another milestone: it’s been 30 years since we released the very first vintage of our SONNTALER Schiava Old Vines. Since 1995, this wine has stood for a distinctive and modern take on Alto Adige’s autochthonous variety. What’s been gaining traction on the Italian and international wine scene in recent years has been a heartfelt tradition in Kurtatsch for decades: Schiava as a fresh, fruit-forward, and easy-drinking red wine. And now, for its big birthday, SONNTALER is showing off a brand-new label, a bold tribute to its roots, and even a dedicated video!

While Schiava has only recently begun to enjoy a renaissance in many places, here in Kurtatsch it’s been close to our hearts from the very beginning. Back in 1995, we launched the first SONNTALER, vintage 1994. Over the years, it has become one of Alto Adige’s most cherished and expressive takes on this native variety. It even has its own fan club – the “Sonntaler Club,” a group of young locals who regularly gather on our terrace to enjoy a glass (or two) of their favorite red.

One reason Schiava has been making a comeback is that it’s now mostly grown in vineyard sites that truly suit it. Site selection is the key to quality. “By planting Schiava only in the sites where it thrives best, it now covers just under 10% of our total vineyard area,” explains our president, Andreas Kofler. “But emotionally, it plays a much bigger role. It’s a heartfelt favorite, not just for our members, but for the whole village.”

To mark its 30th anniversary, the 2024 SONNTALER wears a new label– not a radical redesign, but a respectful tribute to its roots. The new look incorporates design elements from the very first vintage (yes, that one also featured a sun) and blends them with our current visual style.  It’s a nod to the past and a clear sign of what we want SONNTALER to remain: a true-to-style, tradition-driven Schiava.

That character also comes down to the right pairing of variety and site, careful vineyard work (Schiava is a sensitive variety) and, most importantly, old vines. “The vines are between 60 and 90 years old,” says our winemaker, Erwin Carli. “Old vines naturally produce lower yields, which means more concentration and character. We age the wine gently in concrete tanks to let the grape speak for itself. The result is a classic Schiava: smooth, fruity, and easy-drinking, but with structure, depth, and fine-grained tannins.”

And to celebrate this milestone in style, SONNTALER now stars in its very own video. Don’t miss it – cheers to 30 years of a wine that’s as heartfelt as it is iconic!