Gump Hof

Markus Prackwieser is undoubtedly one of those winemakers who have a clear vision of what they want to create. In 2000, the South Tyrolean took over the long-established estate from his father Johann, who until then had sold his entire harvest to cooperatives. Markus, who was 28 years old at the time, decided to go new ways from there on and process his grapes himself. Today he produces wines that authentically express the unique landscape and the people who produced them.

"Anyone who is as intensively involved in growing grapes as I am always has the finished product in mind, and I wanted to make the wine exactly as I imagined it," Markus tells us in conversation. His Gump Hof winery is located east of Bolzano in beautiful South Tyrol. Here, the vines grow at 350-550 metres above sea level on the steep slopes of the southern Valle Isarco, which even today can only be cultivated through painstaking manual labour.

The Gump Hof comprises 10 hectares of vineyards, which are particularly sought-after because Mediterranean influences literally meet the coolness of the Dolomites here: During the day, the Ora wind from Lake Garda provides a warm, sunny climate, while the winds from the snow-covered Dolomites cool the grapes down again at night. These climatic peculiarities benefit the development of the aroma and, above all, preserve the typical crisp acidity that we love so much in South Tyrolean wines. 

Markus tells us that the hard work on the steep slopes has always been a great source of motivation - and for which the wine has always rewarded him. If you take a look at his versatile white and red wines, it immediately becomes clear that the winemaker is not afraid to continue the old traditions of the farm while trying out new techniques and styles. "I like to face challenges and this is reflected in my wine," explains the ambitious winemaker.

Inspired by other growing regions such as Austria's Wachau or the Loire in France, Markus has divided his precious range into three lines: Mediaevum, Praesulis and Renaissance. The Sauvignon Bianco, Pinot Blanc and Vernatsch Mediaevum are fermented in stainless steel and are wonderfully accessible everyday wines. The four Praesulis wines, on the other hand - a spicy Pinot Noir and three elegant whites - are much more complex and therefore ideal companions for heartier dishes. Finally, in the best years, Markus also produces his three Renaissance wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc), which spend a whole year refining on their lees in Tonneaux barrels.

The Gump Hof is a small but fine family winery that can definitely compete with the big South Tyrolean cooperatives. After the tasting, it was clear to us that it is above all the wines themselves that prove that Markus Prackwieser knows exactly what he is doing. SUPERIORE.DE