Castelfeder

From Neumarkt to Kurtinig: three generations of the Giovanett family

1969 Alfons Giovanett founded the Castelfeder winery in the center of Neumarkt in the South Tyrolean lowlands. Giovanett had attended the renowned San Michele all'Adige viticulture school between 1937 and 1940 and had worked as an oenologist for years afterwards — the foundation of a business that from the very beginning focused on oenological craftsmanship rather than mere mass production. The original private winery mainly processed red varieties: Lagrein, Pinot Noir, and Vernatsch. In 1989, his son Günther Giovanett took over the management together with his wife Alessandra and moved the business to the wine village of Kurtinig an der Weinstraße in the southernmost tip of South Tyrol — a step that fundamentally realigned the winery. At the same time, Günther launched the premium line Burgum Novum, named after the medieval name of Neumarkt. Today, the third generation works in the business: Ivan Giovanett as cellar master and head of vineyard work, Ines Giovanett in sales and marketing.

Terroir loyalty between Salurn and Bozen

The vineyards of Castelfeder extend over around 65 hectares from Salurn in the south to Bozen in the north. The South Tyrolean lowlands benefit from a distinct continental climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year, cool nights due to the valley wind, and well-drained soils characterized by porphyry, limestone, and loamy components — this is exactly what the wine labels reflect: “Vom Lehm” (From the clay) on the Gewürztraminer stands for the loamy soil that gives this variety special spice; “Vom Stein” (From the stone) on the Pinot Bianco refers to the mineral-stony sites. The harvest is carried out exclusively by hand. In the cellar, Castelfeder works in a variety-specific manner: the lighter lines are aged in stainless steel to preserve fruit and precision, while the Burgum Novum Riservas mature in wooden barrels. Since 2011, the family has also been cultivating the steep-slope Rieslingberg Sorentberg on the Moselle — a reference to the deep connection with the topic of terroir beyond South Tyrol.

Clear varieties, recognizable style — from Pinot Nero to Lagrein

Today, white wines dominate with around 70 percent of the vineyard area: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Kerner, and Gewürztraminer. The remaining 30 percent is accounted for by red varieties, with Pinot Nero — a passion at the Castelfeder house since its founding year — clearly in the foreground. The “Glen” is considered the most historically important single site of the business, planted as early as 1969. In addition, the Lagrein “Rieder” shows the strength of the autochthonous South Tyrolean red wine variety: powerful, with dark fruit and grippy tannins. The range is divided into four lines: the fresh, uncomplicated Mont-Mès wines, the terroir-focused Classic wines, a Selection, and the wood-aged Burgum Novum Riservas. For the Gambero Rosso, the Chardonnay Kreuzweg Family Reserve Riserva 2021 received the highest award, Tre Bicchieri, in the 2026 vintage — proof that the investment in precise vineyard work and differentiated cellar work bears fruit.