Story of a revolutionary wine and the Sanct Valentin line, the flagship of the Cantina Produttori San Michele Appiano.
It was 1990 when a young Hans Terzer, a visionary winemaker at Cantina San Michele Appiano, introduced the 1989 Sauvignon Sanct Valentin, the first vintage of one of Italy’s most awarded white wines. Etichetta the flagship of a line destined over the years to propel South Tyrol’s “cellar excellence” to the top of high-quality winemaking.
The arrival of Kellermeister Hans Terzer
In 1977, winemaker Hans Terzer, in his early twenties, was entrusted with the technical leadership of Cantina San Michele Appiano by then-president Andreas Weiss. The winery, which at the time had 80 percent of its estate planted in Schiava, is going through a difficult period due to the loss of market appeal of its flagship grape variety, aided by a decline in wine quality. Hans Terzer decided, at this point, to revolutionize the cooperative’s way of making wine and was not slow to take the first and decisive steps.
Aware of the particular vocation of the territory for the production of white wines, has the Schiava vineyards uprooted and makes room for Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon, while adopting new winemaking techniques. so that, In 1986, the Sanct Valentin line was born. with about 6,000 bottles equally divided between Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay which immediately mark an astonishing sell-out.
1989: the first vintage of Sauvignon Sanct Valentin
It is from the 1989 vintage that is the flagship wine of the Sanct Valentin line, elevating it to new heights of excellence. Terzer, in fact, is among the first in Italy to launch and enhance Sauvignon: his proposal is a high-profile wine that benefits from individual, selected plots located on the slopes at the foot of the Mendola. With great minerality and persistence, the Sauvignon Sanct Valentin seduces the eye with a bright yellowish green, then surprising the nose with hints of yellow fruit, gooseberries, elderflower and ripe currants. Finally, the sip offers crisp acidity accompanied by soft body and elegant fullness.
In a short time Hans Terzer’s creation gained attention, and in 1994 came the first official recognition, the Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso, a mention proudly maintained until 2011 and regained in the years to follow along with numerous other awards, such as the “gold” certification from The Wine Hunter. Also awarded the Faccino DoctorWine for the 2015 and 2020 vintages.
Red wines join the Sanct Valentin lineup
Cabernet, vintage 1994, debuts as the first red wine in the Sanct Valentin line. Then, Pinot Noirvintage 1995, Lagrein vintage 2000 and Merlot vintage 2002 (since 2012 together with Cabernet as Cuvée), not forgetting Gewürztraminer Passito Comtess, the first white passito wine in Alto Adige.
Today, the Sanct Valentin line has nine labels including whites and reds, confirming the quality that for decades has distinguished Cantina San Michele Appiano as one of Italy’s best producers and a leading company in South Tyrol.
PRODUCER
