Kuenhof is a benchmark producer located near the town of Bressanone in the Isarco Valley, northeast of Bolzano.  The estate itself dates to the 12th century, and for the past two hundred years, it has been in the hands of the Pliger family.

Peter Pliger was at the helm of the estate since the 1980s, originally selling grapes to the local cooperative. Then, in 1990, Peter began bottling his own wine under the current Kuenhof label. Peter was a pioneer for Riesling in the Valle Isarco, being the first to bottle a monovarietal Riesling. While Peter launched the winery with much experience and expertise, producing high-quality wines from the start, he continued to refine and improve his techniques over the years, creating increasingly elegant and refined wines. Their son, Simon, had worked closely with his parents for nearly his entire life, with a short time studying in Germany. After university, Simon returned to the estate, and, in 2025, he officially took over the winery, with both of his parents still intimately involved in day-to-day operations.

Their vineyards are mostly directly above the winery, including vineyards in the important zone of Lahner, one of the most prized in the Isarco valley.  The Pligers have planted, in descending order, Riesling, Sylvaner, Gruner Veltliner, and Gewurztraminer over their different vineyard sites.

The elevations of the vineyards are quite high, ranging from 550 to 890 meters. Here, at such high elevations, there is quite a dramatic diurnal swing. The soils are predominantly a loamy sand with slate and quartz. The combination of high elevation and intensely mineral soils produces the vibrant, vertical, and salty wines for which the winery is known.

The family has always had a profound respect for nature, working to achieve the most harmonious balance between humans, plants, and nature. They work naturally in the vineyard and have incorporated biodynamic practices, though they have not chosen to attain certification. Their farming practices are not dictated by rigid rules but by a deep, intuitive understanding of their vines and the vintage. They employ homeopathic treatments on the vines and, in the cellar, rely on spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, a practice that contributes to the unique character and long-lived nature of the wines. This hands-off approach in the cellar allows the true expression of terroir to shine through, resulting in wines that are pure, authentic, and transparent.

Kuenhof was a pioneer in cultivating Riesling in the Valle Isarco, and their flagship Riesling, "Kaiton," is a testament to the grape's potential in this region. The name "Kaiton," a Celtic word for "forest," was used before the local DOC designation was established and has since become synonymous with the wine. The Kuenhof Sylvaner, on the other hand, is complex and salty, showcasing a beautiful tension between rich fruit flavors and a vibrant, steely acidity. The Grüner Veltliner, a nod to Alto Adige's proximity to Austria, offers a different aromatic profile with delicate notes of pepper and green apple. They also produce a small amount of Gewürztraminer, which mostly remains in the local Italian market.

In the cellar, the Pligers use a combination of aging and fermentation vessels, including stainless steel, large acacia barrels, as well as special barrels from the renowned barrel maker Mittelberger, called “Pyramitt,” which are egg-shaped casks. Their barrels are all neutral as the family strives for elegance and precision in their wines.

Kuenhof is an emblematic winery in Italy's Isarco Valley, distinguished by its deep family roots, pioneering spirit, and commitment to crafting terroir-driven wines. Under the stewardship of the Pliger family, the estate has become a benchmark for cool-climate white wines, particularly Riesling. The combination of high-altitude vineyards with mineral-rich soils, a "hands-off" winemaking philosophy, and a profound respect for nature results in wines that are celebrated for their elegance, purity, and vibrant expression of the Isarco Valley's unique character.  We are proud to have them in our portfolio.