On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Soma and the 125th anniversary of the cooperative, Cantina Kurtatsch presented a collectible limited edition during the event The Red Masters: Soma XXV, Alto Adige Merlot Cabernet DOC Riserva 2020, a tribute to one of the most iconic and acclaimed wines of the South Tyrolean winery.
Soma XXV: a cuvée born from a jubilee, now a benchmark
Soma Merlot-Cabernet was first released in 2000 to mark the centenary of Cantina Kurtatsch. Born from the warmest vineyards in Cortaccia, it was initially meant to be a one-off celebratory edition, but over time it became one of the winery’s most emblematic labels and among the most recognized red wines of Alto Adige.
“Soma is part of our identity: created as a celebratory wine, it has over the years become one of Cantina Kurtatsch’s benchmarks. Soma XXV celebrates this 25-year journey, combining experience, selection, and the unique character of Cortaccia’s vineyards,” says Andreas Kofler, president of Cantina Kurtatsch.
Soma XXV: extreme selection and prolonged ageing
In view of the double anniversary in 2025, the winery chose to honor its history with a special creation: Soma XXV Riserva, a limited edition of 2,936 bottles and 182 Magnums, produced from the finest parcels of the warmest vineyards within the additional geographical unit Brenntal (220–300 m a.s.l.).
The cuvée is made of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on red clay soils rich in minerals and oxides for the Merlot, and on dolomitic limestone gravel for the Cabernet Sauvignon. The heat of the day, paired with the cool night breezes from the Mendola massif, creates a unique and unmistakable style: fully ripe fruit aromas combined with a distinctive alpine freshness. Even stricter vineyard selection and extended ageing give the wine remarkable depth, complexity, and longevity: 15 months in French oak barriques, 9 months in large oak casks, and 2.5 years of bottle ageing before release.
Soma XXV is presented as a true collector’s item. Twelve different labels are arranged inside elegant three-bottle wooden cases. Together, the twelve variations form the complete original artwork by South Tyrolean artist Sigrid Trojer, created specifically for the first vintage of Soma in 2000 and depicting Mother Nature in the form of Vitis Vinifera. The edition will be available at the winery and through a selection of wine shops, restaurants, and top clients chosen among Cantina Kurtatsch’s key partners.
The Red Masters
Soma XXV was officially unveiled on 11 November 2025 during The Red Masters, the first edition of a new format created by Cantina Kurtatsch and aimed at the B2B world—restaurants, distributors, and retailers. The event brought together six prestigious international wineries united by their passion for Bordeaux varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alongside Cantina Kurtatsch, the following estates presented their flagship wines: Le Macchiole, Petrolo, Tua Rita, and Tenuta Guado al Tasso – Marchesi Antinori from Bolgheri, while Bastian Winkler curated a selection of outstanding Bordeaux wines. During the afternoon, walk-around tastings and masterclasses were held, focusing on the diverse regional interpretations of Bordeaux grape varieties.
“We organized this event to celebrate our 125th anniversary: a special moment to honor our history and our expertise in producing these varieties, which we have cultivated and vinified with passion for over 100 years,” says Andreas Kofler. “We wanted to share this passion with our B2B partners in an appropriate setting, together with other prestigious international wineries. Moreover, the event provided the ideal occasion to present Soma XXV.”
Cantina Kurtatsch and Bordeaux varieties: a long-term commitment
Cantina Kurtatsch’s passion for Bordeaux varieties has deep roots that, in the late 1980s, found new expression with the first vintage of Freienfeld Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva (1988). In the following years, thanks to new oenological creations and extensive research on Bordeaux varieties and their relationship with the local terroir, the winery became a benchmark in Alto Adige for Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
“We are convinced that these varieties find ideal conditions here in Cortaccia to produce internationally acclaimed wines with a distinctly alpine character. From the first Freienfeld Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva in 1988, to the first wine from an additional geographical unit with Brenntal Merlot Riserva in 1995, to Soma Merlot Cabernet in 2000 and the icon Tres in 2015: each new creation expresses the unique terroir and the potential of our winegrowing area for these varieties,” says Andreas Kofler.
This immense potential and profound passion are also reflected in the biennial event Cortaccia Rossa, which highlights the area’s wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and which demonstrates—edition after edition—that these wines can compete on equal footing with the best international references.
