Alongside Schiava, Pinot Noir is South Tyrol’s most fascinating grape variety. At its best, both manage to capture Italy’s northernmost wine-growing region with subtle, cool textures and aromas. However, Pinot Noir also possesses an inherent depth and tension that Schiava only rarely achieves—exceptions being Martin Goyer’s Campill and Heinrich Mayr’s Elda.
Surprisingly, Pinot Noir has found its stronghold in the South Tyrolean lowlands, where the region gradually merges into Trentino. The Eisack Valley, which by its natural conditions would seem like a logical place for its cultivation, produces, to my knowledge, only one noteworthy Pinot Noir. That wine comes from Daniel Sigmund, who cultivates a vineyard at 630 meters on quartz phyllite soils. The vineyard is farmed strictly organically—a challenging endeavor, especially for this notoriously delicate grape variety. But the result is vibrant and characterful fruit.
The Pinot Noir undergoes spontaneous fermentation and is aged for several years, including 11 months in used barriques and an additional 5 months in stainless steel.
Style
A true child of its terroir—cool, vibrant, and fresh. Juicy fruit aromas take center stage, while mineral notes emerge in the background. Acidity and tannins shape and structure the powerful body, adding tension and depth. Concentrated and layered, this wine is only at the beginning of its evolution.
Technical Data
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Quartz phyllite soils in the Tschötsch site at 630 meters altitude
Harvest: Hand-picked
Fermentation: Spontaneous | Wild yeasts | No temperature control
Aging: 11 months in large wooden barrels, 5 months in stainless steel tanks
Filtration: No
SO₂: < 25mg/l
Alcohol Content: 11.5% vol.
Closure: Natural cork
Serving Temperature: 16-18 °C
Optimal Drinking Window: Now – 2035
Bottle Size & Price per Liter: 0.75 l (€38.62/l)
All winemakers listed at Vinonudo use compost, organic fertilizers, and natural preparations in their vineyards and refrain from using herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers.
