Forty years of history, a grape variety and a territory told through a single label. With the 2025 vintage of Plötzner Pinot Bianco, Cantina Sankt Pauls celebrates the 40th harvest of what has become the cooperative’s iconic wine. Presented as a preview at Vinitaly 2026, the new vintage marks an important milestone for one of Alto Adige’s historic producers. Founded in 1907 in San Paolo, in the municipality of Appiano on the Wine Road, the Plötzner project today represents one of the most consistent and recognisable alpine expressions of Pinot Bianco.
Over four decades, Plötzner has become a true synthesis of the territory and of the work carried out by the local winegrowing community.
As president Bernhard Leimegger notes:
“Over these four decades, Plötzner has become the signature wine of Cantina Sankt Pauls, capable of authentically representing both our production area and our 190 families of growers.”
The anniversary is therefore not only a celebratory moment, but also a recognition of the wine’s role as a collective expression of its territory.
From the origins to today: how Plötzner was born
The project began in 1986, when winemaker Valentin Spitaler selected several high‑altitude Pinot Bianco parcels near the Plötzner farmstead, at around 650 metres above sea level.
The choice stemmed from a clear intuition: prioritising vineyards capable of expressing marked natural acidity, a key element for crafting a fresh, elegant and long‑lived wine.
From the initial one hectare, the area dedicated to Plötzner has grown to eight hectares, located between 550 and 670 metres at the foot of Monte Macaion.
The role of altitude: a true mountain Pinot Bianco
Plötzner’s character is deeply linked to its geographical setting. The vineyards, facing east and rooted in post‑glacial dolomitic‑calcareous soils, benefit from a cool, breezy microclimate.
The strong day‑night temperature shifts favour slow and complete ripening, contributing to a defined acidic backbone and a distinctive aromatic precision.
As winemaker Philipp Zublasing explains:
“Vintage after vintage, Plötzner has established itself for its pronounced alpine character, a pure expression of our territory, strongly shaped by the mountains.”
Essentiality and stylistic consistency
The winemaking process reflects the winery’s philosophy: manual harvesting, fermentation mainly in stainless steel and partial ageing in large wooden casks.
This technical approach enhances the transparency of the grape variety and a direct reading of the terroir, avoiding unnecessary enological interventions.
Production stands at around 49,000 bottles, with variations depending on the vintage, maintaining a controlled scale consistent with the wine’s qualitative positioning.
Plötzner 2025: the 40th harvest
The 2025 vintage shows an aromatic profile that fully reflects the wine’s identity: green apple, white peach, floral notes and subtle herbal nuances.
On the palate, it reveals freshness, elegance and minerality, with a savoury finish that clearly conveys its alpine origin.
To celebrate the anniversary, the bottle will feature a dedicated label highlighting the symbolic value of the vintage.
Cantina Sankt Pauls and Pinot Bianco as a symbol of contemporary Alto Adige
The cooperative, now composed of 190 members and 185 hectares of vineyards, represents a model rooted in the territory yet open to innovation.
Since 2023, production has been certified according to the principles of integrated viticulture (SQNPI), confirming a growing commitment to sustainable practices.
The vineyards extend between 290 and 670 metres in altitude, with a remarkable variety of exposures and soils that contribute to the complexity of the winery’s production.
Plötzner today stands as an emblematic example of how Alto Adige Pinot Bianco is evolving towards greater territorial definition.
The focus on altitude, freshness and aromatic precision reflects a broader trend in the region: the pursuit of wines capable of expressing their geographical context with clarity.
With forty years of history behind it, Plötzner confirms itself not only as a flagship label of Cantina Sankt Pauls, but as a coherent and contemporary interpretation of alpine wine, uniting tradition, community and territorial identity.
