Behind the Label: Abbazia di Novacella
In the second edition of our Behind the Label series, we travel to the dramatic Alpine landscape of the Valle Isarco in Alto Adige to discover Abbazia di Novacella, one of the world’s oldest continuously active wineries.
Founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Canons, the monastery has cultivated vines for almost 900 years. Yet Abbazia di Novacella is far more than a historic estate. Its wines combine centuries of accumulated knowledge with a precise, contemporary approach to cool-climate viticulture, resulting in some of Italy’s most distinctive and expressive mountain wines.
The vineyards surrounding the abbey sit at elevations of up to 900 metres above sea level, where warm days, cool nights and mineral-rich glacial soils create ideal conditions for aromatic white varieties. This remarkable environment gives the wines their characteristic freshness, purity and tension, while allowing them to develop complexity and longevity.
Varieties including Sylvaner and Kerner have become synonymous with both Abbazia di Novacella and the Valle Isarco. Sylvaner reflects the deep-rooted viticultural heritage of the region, offering elegance, minerality and subtle complexity. Kerner represents its dynamic modern identity, combining vibrant aromatics with the precise acidity and freshness that define high-altitude Alpine winemaking.
In this interview, Werner Waldboth, Export Director at Abbazia di Novacella, discusses the continuing influence of the Augustinian Canons, the defining characteristics of the estate’s high-altitude vineyards, the importance of the prestigious Praepositus range and the opportunities facing Alto Adige as international demand grows for authentic, terroir-driven wines.
Together, the wines of Abbazia di Novacella tell a compelling story: one of extraordinary heritage, responsible stewardship and a forward-looking vision for the future of Italian mountain wine.
Q: Abbazia di Novacella is one of the world's oldest active wineries, with a history stretching back almost 900 years. How does such a remarkable heritage influence the way you approach winemaking today?
A: "At Abbazia di Novacella, heritage is not something we preserve in a museum; it is something we live every day. For almost nine centuries, generations of Augustinian Canons have cultivated these lands with a long-term vision that extends far beyond a single vintage. This perspective encourages us to combine respect for tradition with modern knowledge and innovation. Every decision we make in the vineyard and cellar is guided by the same principle that has sustained the monastery since 1142: stewardship of the land for future generations."
Q: The monastery was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Canons. What role does the religious community continue to play within the estate and its long-term vision?
A: "The Augustinian Canons remain at the heart of the estate. Their values of responsibility, hospitality, education and sustainability continue to shape the philosophy of the winery. While modern viticulture and winemaking are carried out by a professional team, the monastery's vision provides the foundation for all long-term decisions. The focus is not only on producing outstanding wines but also on preserving a cultural and agricultural heritage that has been entrusted to us for centuries."
Q: Alto Adige has become one of Italy's most respected white wine regions. What makes the vineyards surrounding Novacella so unique?
A:"The vineyards surrounding Novacella benefit from a unique combination of Alpine climate, steep slopes, mineral-rich soils and exceptional sunlight exposure. Located at the northern gateway to Italy, the Valle Isarco is one of the coolest wine-growing areas in the country. The soils, formed by glacial deposits, schist and gravel, contribute remarkable minerality and precision to the wines. This combination allows us to produce whites that are both vibrant and age-worthy."
Q: Your vineyards sit at some of the highest elevations in Europe. How do altitude, climate and Alpine influences shape the character of your wines?
A: "Altitude is one of the defining characteristics of our estate. Many of our vineyards lie between 600 and 900 metres above sea level. Warm days ensure optimal ripening, while cool nights preserve acidity and aromatic freshness. The result is wines with exceptional elegance, tension and purity. The Alpine influence creates a distinctive style that is difficult to replicate elsewhere: precise, mineral-driven and remarkably expressive."
Q: The Praepositus range has become synonymous with quality and site expression. What distinguishes these wines from your other bottlings?
A: "The Praepositus range represents the pinnacle of our white wine production. These wines originate from carefully selected vineyard sites and are produced with a focus on expressing the full character of each variety and terroir. Extended lees ageing, meticulous vineyard management and lower yields contribute additional complexity, structure and longevity. While all our wines reflect the identity of Novacella, Praepositus wines showcase their most refined and profound expression."
Q: Kerner and Sylvaner have become two of the estate's flagship varieties. What attracted Abbazia di Novacella to these grapes and why do they perform so well in your vineyards?
A: "Both varieties are perfectly suited to the cool Alpine conditions of the Valle Isarco. Kerner thrives at higher elevations and develops remarkable aromatic intensity while maintaining freshness and balance. Sylvaner, meanwhile, expresses elegance, minerality and subtle complexity. Over decades, these varieties have demonstrated an exceptional ability to translate the character of our vineyards into the glass, making them natural ambassadors for both the estate and the region."
Q: Consumers increasingly seek authenticity and a sense of place. How does Abbazia di Novacella communicate the unique identity of Alto Adige through its wines?
A: "Authenticity begins in the vineyard. Our wines are shaped by the climate, soils and traditions of Alto Adige and cannot be reproduced elsewhere. We aim to communicate this identity through purity, precision and transparency in our winemaking. Every bottle tells a story of Alpine viticulture, centuries of history and a unique cultural crossroads where Mediterranean and Central European influences meet."
Q: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important across the wine industry. What initiatives has the estate implemented to protect its vineyards and surrounding environment for future generations?
A: "Sustainability has always been part of our philosophy. As custodians of this land, we view environmental responsibility as a long-term commitment rather than a trend. We promote biodiversity, minimise interventions in the vineyard, use renewable energy where possible and continuously improve resource efficiency. Our goal is to preserve the health of our vineyards and surrounding ecosystem so that future generations can continue to benefit from this extraordinary landscape."
Q: Looking ahead, what do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing Alto Adige and its producers over the next decade?
A: "Climate change remains one of the most significant challenges, requiring constant adaptation in both vineyard management and variety selection. At the same time, Alto Adige has an enormous opportunity to strengthen its international reputation as one of Europe's leading cool-climate wine regions. The growing demand for fresh, elegant and terroir-driven wines aligns perfectly with the strengths of our region."
Q: For someone discovering Abbazia di Novacella for the first time, which two wines from your range best tell the story of the estate and why?
A: "The first would undoubtedly be our Sylvaner. Few varieties are as deeply connected to the history of the Valle Isarco and to Abbazia di Novacella itself. It has been cultivated here for generations and perfectly reflects the elegance, minerality and authenticity of our Alpine terroir. Sylvaner represents our roots and the long-standing viticultural tradition of the estate.
The second would be our Kerner. While Sylvaner tells the story of our heritage, Kerner represents the modern face of the Valle Isarco. The variety is exceptionally well suited to our high-altitude vineyards, where it develops remarkable freshness, vibrant aromatics and precise acidity. It has become one of the region’s most distinctive wines and perfectly expresses the cool-climate character that defines our vineyards today.
Together, these two wines capture both sides of Abbazia di Novacella: nearly 900 years of tradition and a dynamic, forward-looking approach to Alpine winemaking."
Abbazia di Novacella Valle Isarco Sylvaner DOC
Abbazia di Novacella Valle Isarco Praepositus Sylvaner DOC
Abbazia di Novacella Valle Isarco Kerner DOC
