For generations, our family has maintained a special connection to the vineyards in Magrè. As early as 1934, our grandfather recognized the potential of this area and acquired the first plots. Even then, grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Cabernet, and Merlot were already cultivated here, at a time when international varieties were still a rarity in Alto Adige.
The vineyards lie on an alluvial cone of dolomitic rock, formed over millions of years by floods of the Fenner stream. The calcareous soils offer ideal conditions for Chardonnay. The climate also plays a decisive role: the vines are bathed in morning sunlight, while in the afternoon the cool winds from the Fenner gorge and the Ora wind from Lake Garda bring balance and freshness.
Our father was an early advocate of Sélection Massale: particularly robust and characterful vines are selected, grafted, and replanted to preserve diversity and quality. Today, some of the Löwengang Chardonnay vines are once again being trained in the traditional pergola system, which protects the grapes from excessive sun exposure and helps ensure that the wine retains its liveliness and freshness for the future.
Our Chardonnay story began long before us. Around 1835, Archduke Johann introduced the Chardonnay grape to Alto Adige, later spread further by Edmund Mach. In the 1980s, the variety experienced a strong revival.
For us, Chardonnay holds a special significance, as this grape has shaped our family’s history. Our grandfather was among the first to see the potential of the Magrè vineyards and our father went on to craft the Löwengang Chardonnay, likely the most defining wine of our estate. From this tradition, we draw inspiration for the future.
The Löwengang estate itself carries a venerable legacy, with roots reaching back to the Middle Ages. The Gaun family was recorded as owners as early as 1369 and was elevated to knighthood by the Emperor in 1674, when the estate received its name: Tòr Löwengang.
In 1934, our grandfather Alois III purchased the agricultural estate with its vineyards and buildings in Magrè, introducing international varieties to Alto Adige at a time when they were still uncommon. In the 1990s, our father Alois IV oversaw the construction of a new cellar within the historic Löwengang estate and, in 1995, moved the company headquarters from Bolzano to Magrè.
The steadily changing climatic conditions of recent decades have shaped each vintage of the LÖWENGANG Chardonnay. Every vintage tells its own story. Our role as winemakers is to respond to these natural circumstances and continue developing the wine year after year.
Detailed vintage reports can be found here.
We invite you to discover the matured vintages of our LÖWENGANG Chardonnay, to compare their stylistic nuances, and to experience their development and ageing potential. They are available in the Rarum wooden case, complete with a high-quality cork remover and re-corker. The Rarum collection is only available in limited quantities.