The Chardonnay grape was introduced to Alto Adige as early as 1835 by Archduke John: its range was later expanded by Edmund Mach, founder of Italy’s first school of viticulture. First known as the “Gelber Weissburgunder” (Yellow Pinot Bianco), this variety experienced a revival in Alto Adige in the 1980s. The chalky, gravelly soils of the locations around Magrè are very well suited to this grape variety: the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Löwengang vineyard are 65 to 75 years old.
Chardonnay has a special meaning for us, as this variety has helped write the history of our family. Our grandfather had already recognized the potential of the site in Magrè and, from this, our father created the LÖWENGANG Chardonnay, probably the most formative wine for our winery. We draw on this tradition as our inspiration for future development and look forward to continuing our history with LÖWENGANG INEDITO II.
The origins of the estate go back to the Middle Ages. The first owners to be mentioned by name were the Gaun family, in 1369. In 1674 the “Gauns” were raised to the rank of knights by Emperor Leopold I and received the title “von und zu Löwengang”. This noble title was thereupon also used for the name of the estate: Tòr Löwengang.
In 1934 our grandfather, Alois III, acquired the agricultural estate with its buildings and vineyards. Why did he choose these vineyard sites in the little village of Magrè? This is where Alois III found new, international grape varieties that were not at the time widespread in Alto Adige: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Cabernet and Merlot.
In the 1990s our father, Alois IV, arranged for the construction of a new cellar building in the historic Löwengang estate and, in 1995, he moved the main office of the business from Bolzano to Magrè.
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LÖWENGANG INEDITO II combines 9 vintages of Löwengang Chardonnay, which matured in barriques for different lengths of time.
