When origin matters: What Alto Adige’s new concept of UGA classification means for winelovers

With the 2024 vintage, Alto Adige introduced its new UGA classification. For the first time, officially recognised geographical units — known as UGA, or Unità Geografica Aggiuntiva — are clearly indicated on the labels and subject to defined regulations. For winelovers, this means one thing above all: greater transparency and greater confidence when it comes to a wine’s origin.

For us at Cantina Kurtatsch, however, this step does not mark a fundamental change, but rather the official confirmation of a philosophy we have been living for decades.

Origin as the foundation of our work

Every wine is shaped by its place of origin. Soil, altitude, sun exposure, the temperature differences between day and night, and air circulation all influence its character.

In Kurtatsch in particular, these differences are especially pronounced. Around 700 metres of altitude lie between our members’ lowest and highest vineyards. The soil composition also varies considerably. This creates a wide range of conditions, allowing each grape variety to be grown exactly where it can develop its full potential.

For decades, we have been exploring in depth which variety finds the best conditions in which site. It was from this conviction that our  wines from geographical units were born — long before Alto Adige’s new concept of classification was officially introduced.

What the new classification regulates

With the introduction of the official UGA, 86 geographical units have been defined in Alto Adige. For each of these, scientific research and many years of agronomic experience were used to determine which grape varieties find the best conditions there.

In future, only selected grape varieties may be vinified as UGA wines from the respective geographical unit and bear the name of that UGA on the label. At the same time, stricter requirements apply in terms of origin and yield: the grapes must come 100% from the respective UGA, yields are further reduced, and the wines are identified by a dedicated symbol on the label.

For consumers, this provides clear guidance. Anyone purchasing an official UGA wine can be confident that origin, grape variety and quality criteria are clearly defined and traceable.

A confirmation of the path we have taken

The official recognition of these geographical units confirms what we have been practising for many years: the consistent connection between grape variety and site.

With nine wines from eight different officially recognised Additional Geographical Units, Cantina Kurtatsch holds a special position within Alto Adige. Our UGA wines come from Graun, Penon, Penon-Hofstatt, Penon-Kofl, Brenntal, Frauenrigl, Mazon and Glen — UGAs that each offer their own unique conditions and, as a result, produce wine personalities of their own.

Müller Thurgau, for example, develops its alpine character and remarkable freshness in the high-altitude vineyards of Graun, while Pinot Bianco in Penon-Hofstatt is shaped by cool downdraught winds and mineral-rich soils. Sauvignon from Penon-Kofl benefits from limestone-rich soils and an airy microclimate, while Merlot in the warm UGA Brenntal finds ideal conditions for power, depth and complexity. Each site brings out different strengths — and making this diversity visible and traceable has been part of our philosophy for decades. With the new classification, this approach is now also officially recognised.

Greater assurance for winelovers

The greatest advantage of the new classification lies in the added clarity it offers winelovers.

Origin has always been one of the most important factors in the quality of a wine. With the official UGA, this connection is now regulated uniformly across Alto Adige and made visible for the first time.

For our customers, this means greater transparency, better orientation and the assurance that behind every UGA wine there is a clearly defined place of origin, a suitable grape variety and strict quality criteria.

Or, to put it another way: origin makes the difference — today more visibly than ever before.