In the Midst of the Vineyard, in the Midst of the City
The winegrowing estate in Bolzano (of course) also produces Santa Maddalena
Right in the midst of the vineyards and yet in the city: the Zundlhofhas a unique location in Bolzano. It has been run for nearly fifty
years by the Ramoser family in particular as a classic winegrowing
farmhouse, but also with rooms rented for farmhouse holidays.
The Zundlhof lies precisely one and a half kilometers from the center of the capital city, and since 1975, Helmuth Ramoserhas been in charge. With the support of his daughter Johanna and her
husband Martin, he manages half a hectare of grape growing area in
Caldaro but above all else the three hectares around the Zundlhof in
Bolzano “with lots of love and passion,” as Ramoser himself says.
Within that context, though, his vineyard in Bolzano is more like a wine
garden. After all, although he is in fact located in the classic
Bolzano Santa Maddalena zone, in contrast to most of the other vineyards
there those of the Zundlhof do not cling to the slopes, but rather lie
nearly flat on the valley floor.
This is where Ramoser finds the best conditions for the grape varieties
that he grows. Without any surprises for this location, these are first
and foremost Schiava and Lagrein, the “ingredients” of
Santa Maddalena which Ramoser makes at the Zundlhof. Added to those
are Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon and, as the only white
wine variety, Pinot Blanc.
The best place to taste the small but excellent palette of wines is in
the arcade of the Zundlhof. Right in the midst of the vineyards and yet
in the city.