Alto Adige (Pinot Grigio)Production Source
The Castelfeder Wine Estate, owned and operated by the Giovanett family, is a mid sized 4th generation family winery estate located in the historic town of Cortina, which is steeped in ancient wine making traditions but very modern at the same time. This village is located at the core of Lower Alto Adige production area in Northern Italy near the Austrian/Swiss border, an area that we believe makes the best Pinot Grigio in the world. Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio comes 100% from the Casltlefeder Estate Vineyards….about 120 acres located on the Alto Adige/Trentino border.
The vineyards are all hillside up from the valley floor which means that the vines are stressed causing the roots to go deep into the ground to find moisture resulting in vines that have lower yield meaning more flavor intensity and character as well as a touch of minerality.
At perfect ripeness the grapes are hand picked with care before bringing them into the winery. Before crushing, the grapes are hand sorted to retain only the best grapes for Luna Nuda. Pure, fresh whole berry clusters and nothing else goes into the grape press before the grapes are gently crushed releasing the wonderful aromatic Pinot Grigio juice. Each lot from the estate is made and kept separately before the final blend.
All grown and handcrafted by a family that has passion for what they do and where they live. Taste Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio and you taste this passion.
Please enjoy the following videos as they take you inside the Alto Adige Valley and introduce you to the Castelfeder Winery and the Giovanett Family. You will see and hear where and how Luna Nuda is made and why it’s a special Pinot Grigio.
Arriving by train into the Alto Adige Valley
Just Off The Train In The Small Alto Adige Town Of Egna
A Quick Shot Of The Castelfeder Vineyards
Brief Shot Of The Valley From The Winery
Castelfeder Winery..It’s A Small Estate As You Can See. All about quality and making handcrafted wines.
Alto Adige…It’s A Magical Place
The next few videos are of Ivan Giovanett, the Luna Nuda winemaker and Castelfeder Winery owners son, taking Gregory from Grapethinking on a auto ride to the top of the mountain for a special view of the Alto Adige Valley.
Ivan Talking About The Vineyard Elevations In Alto Adige On The Ride To The Top.
Enjoying The Ride Up With Some Italian Music and Great Views
Going Way Up
Four Wheeling The 26% Grade To Get To The Top
A Fabulous Birds Eye View Of The Valley As Ivan Explains The Area
Ivan Explaining The History Of Castelfeder And His Family.
Going Even Higher Up The Mountain To Give You More Flavor Of Alto Adige.
A Vineyard At The Top Of The Mountain
A Muller Thurgau Vineyard On The Top Of The Mountain. This Is A Local White Wine Grape. Alto Adige Grows Many Other Fabulous Varietals Besides Pinot Grigio.
Joking Around About The Name Mueller (my last name) And The Muller Thurgau Grape While Heading Back Down With Greg Mueller.
Chilling On The Way Down…
Ivan Giovanett, The Winemaker, Discussing How He Determines When To Pick The Grapes. He Is In Castelfeder’s Sauvignon Blanc Vineyard, Another Grape Varietal That Does Fabulous In Alto Adige.
The Tool To Make Sure The Grapes Are Perfect Before Picking. Got To Have Them Just Right To Have The Wine Just Right. It’s A Very Important Process If You Want To Make Great Wine…The Perfect Ripeness.
Pinot Noir Grapes On The Vine. Pinot Grigio is a clone of Pinot Noir Whos Origin Is Burgundy, France. When Pinot Grigio Is Grown And Handled Like Pinot Noir It Can Be A Special Wine…Just Like Pinot Noir.
Castelfeder Is An Estate Winery That Grows Multiple Varietals. This Video Is Of Their Fabulous Pinot Noir Vineyard.
Growing Grapes And Making Wine In Alto Adige Is All About Quality And Family. This Video Shows One Of The Family Homes Right In The Middle Of The Vineyard.
Now On To Pinot Grigio….Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio
The First Step For Making Great Wine Is The Location Of The Vineyard. You Have Already Seen This. The Second Step Is What Happens In The Vineyard. This Video Shows Ivan Discussing This Topic.
Greg From Grapethinking Picking Pinot Grigio Grapes That Will Be Used For The 2009 Luna Nuda. All Hand Picked….Another Very Important Step For Quality.
Handling The Grape Clusters With Care In The Vineyards. Ivan Discusses The Process.
Got To Get The Grapes To The Winery Quickly. Controlling The Process Each Step Of The Way.
Testing Every New Batch Of Grapes That Come Into The Winery Before Crushing. Ivan Explains The Importance Of Sugar Levels And Shows Us The High Tech Machine.
Castelfeder Owner Gunther Giovanett Checking The Pinot Grigio Grapes Right Before Being Crushed
Pinot Grigio Grapes Being Separated From The Stems
Check This Out…Another Small But Important Step To Ensure The Best Wine Possible.
Gently Pressing The Pinot Grigio Grapes…Another Important Step
AHHHH…The Smell Of Fresh Pinot Grigio Berries
Releasing The Left Over Grape Skins. No skin contact with the juice. Just the free run juice for our Pinot Grigio.
Got To Clean Out The Tank To Prepare For The Next Run
Have To Add Yeast To Start The Fermentation Process. The Yeast Eats Up The Sugar And Coverts It To Alcohol.
Art And Science
Have To Make Sure The PH Level Is Just Right…Great Wine Is All About Balance
Removing The Solids. Ivan Explains. It’s all about purity.
It’s Now Time To Relax With The Family For A Outdoor Cookout To Celebrate Ines Giovanett’s Birthday As Well As The Harvest.
Luna Nuda Getting Ready To Be Served
Ivan On The Grill
Alfonz, the Castelfeder founder and grandfather. Ivan On The Grill. Good Pinot Grigio Is A Great Wine To Enjoy While Preparing The Meal.
Ivan Behind The Camera Speaking German Showing The Family
Good Pinot Grigio…The Perfect Wine For a Picnic Feast
The Next Few Videos Are Of Ivan, Ines, and Gunther Goivanett Talking About Alto Adige and Pinot Grigio. The Wind Comes Up While Filming Which Is Great For The Grapes But Not So Good For The Audio.
Ivan Discussing Why Pinot Grigio Does So Well In Alto Adige
Ivan Tasting Luna Nuda With His Dad and Sister
Gunther Talking About Pinot Grigio In The Valley… The Oldest Area In Italy For Pinot Grigio Vines
Ivan In The Lab