When our Imports Brand Manager introduced Kellerei-Cantina Andrian to us as a team, it was as one of the two key producers he had wanted to introduce to our market (the other was Berta Distillery). And, reading up on the history of this brand and the reports on the wines they produced encouraged an almost salivating response.
Andrian is the oldest cooperative in the Alto Adige region, which is known as the Sud Tyrol depending on what language you speak (Kellerei and Cantina translate as ‘cellar’ in German and Italian respectively). This area at the foot of the alps sits near the intersection of the Swiss, Italian and Austrian borders, and has changed hands between those countries many times over the years. It’s therefore an area infused in the cultures of all three countries, driving a connection and cohesion between histories that has fostered a singular local mindset that can result in the production of some very unique food and wine.
In fact, there are up to 80 producers for each vintage made at Andrian, with sites that stretch up the cooler, western flank of the Adage river from 200 to over 800m altitude. The soil has that perfect mix of free-draining limestone with more clay in the lower areas, partnered with a cool but remarkably sunny climate. Here they grow indigenous varieties like Pinot Grigio and Lagrein, but also some exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that share more in common with the French styles to the west than the Italian wines to the south. There is a Pinot Bianco–a textural, aromatic and mineral variety that sets a benchmark for the region and then, their Sauvignon Blanc: the entry which follows classic lines but with a riper, sunshine-filled personality; and then the Riserva, which shares these deeper varietal notes but with just a little oak treatment.

The Classic range we will endeavour to keep available all through the year, but the Riserva is sold to us on allocation in very small quantities–you may want to be quick to try some of these. For more information please contact us or view our Kellerei-Cantina Andrian page.
