Abbazia di Novacella Kerner 2023

The Land
The 2023 Kerner from Abbazia di Novacella comes from vineyards in the Isarco River Valley, in the shadow of the Dolomites, from the Alto Adige region in Italy. Cool alpine winds and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts shape the wine’s vivid character. Located between 600 and 900 meters in altitude, the vineyards benefit from steep slopes and gravelly moraine soils, formed by ancient glaciers, providing excellent drainage and encouraging deep roots. These conditions yield wines that are intensely aromatic, with crisp acidity and a mineral backbone. In this high-altitude setting, vines rarely exceed 30 years of age, and naturally low yields contribute to the wine’s concentration and precision.

The Wine
Abbazia’s Kerner is a stunning example of the region’s potential for aromatic whites. The nose opens with a lively burst of white peach, jasmine, green apple, and citrus zest, followed by a whisper of alpine herbs. On the palate, the wine is electric, with bright acidity propelling flavors of nectarine, citrus, and crushed stone. Subtle hints of white pepper and a long, mineral finish add complexity, making each sip refreshing yet layered. The Kerner grape—a cross between Riesling and Schiava is unusual to most people but this particular wine has been one of our long time favorites for over a decade!

The People
Founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular, Abbazia di Novacella has a nearly 900-year legacy of winemaking. The Augustinians are not cloistered monks in the traditional sense; they take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, but also work to sustain their community. To this end, the abbey operates not only a world-class winery but also farms apples and vegetables and runs a small school focused on viticulture. The estate’s commitment to excellence has garnered international recognition, with its enologist, Celestino Lucin, named Winemaker of the Year in 2009 by Gambero Rosso.

Producing both white and red wines across Alto Adige, the abbey farms 6 hectares near Novacella and 15 hectares at their Marklhof estate near Bolzano, sourcing additional fruit from over 50 small growers. While the white grape vineyards, including Kerner, surround the abbey, red varietals such as Schiava, Pinot Noir, and Lagrein are planted further south near Lago di Caldaro and Bolzano. Though the estate practices organic farming, it has opted out of formal certification, focusing instead on centuries-old sustainable methods.