»A special chapter in 2025 is written by Keil - perhaps our wine of the year. Rarely have we seen such perfect ripeness in Schiava.«
Handcrafted
Vintage Report: The 2025 Winegrowing Year
Helmuth Zozin - Director
2025 was, overall, a very good year – a year of dynamism, passion and work in balance.
Until the end of August, the feeling grew stronger that this might become a vintage of the century. Then September brought a number of weather-related challenges. Thanks to a fast harvest, experience, and meticulous manual work, we were still able to bring in excellent quality. Perhaps the year was not perfect – but it was great in its own distinctive and characterful way.
Winter provided sufficient rainfall, and budbreak came early, already at the end of March: healthy, vigorous and strong. Thankfully, frost spared us. Spring was warmer than average, and the vines flowered as early as mid-May. It soon became clear that harvest would begin early as well.
July and August showed themselves at their best: high summer warmth, but never extreme. The vines did not suffer – quite the opposite. Regular, gentle rains supplied steady water without increasing fungal pressure. By mid-August, everything pointed towards perfection.
Then September arrived, bringing several periods of rain, each with 50 to 100 litres of precipitation per square metre. For us, this meant full concentration, swift decisions, and precise selection.
On August 26, we began in Terlano with our best Sauvignon Blanc parcels for Liebenaich and Tannenberg, followed by Chardonnay for Sophie and Pinot Blanc for Eichhorn and Contessa. Between September 5 and 10 came Pinot Noir for Mason and Mason di Mason, followed by Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc from our higher sites.
Despite the rainfall, the grapes remained remarkably healthy. The warmth in September advanced ripening quickly, and harvest lasted only five weeks this year – two less than usual.
The whites
The 2025 white wines are characterful, layered, and slightly more generous than 2024, yet with beautiful tension and fine energy. While the 2024s shine with crystalline clarity, 2025 presents itself fuller and more textured, with ripe fruit and taut minerality. Alcohol is perfectly integrated. The wines feel balanced, deep and alive.
The reds
The Pinots are also a joy. They show more breadth and expression than 2024, with fine fruit and a dense, elegant tannin structure.
A special chapter in 2025 is written by Keil – perhaps our wine of the year. Rarely have we seen such perfect ripeness in Schiava. Yields remained low, barely 40 hl per hectare, placing us on a Burgundian level. Less is clearly more.
With the late-ripening reds, ripeness was excellent. The recurring rains led to slightly more delicate skins, yet tannin quality and fruit maturity are impressive – the hallmark of a great vintage.
The return of the great wines
After a year’s pause, we can once again look forward in 2025 to Castel Campan, Cassiano and Rubatsch. This more than compensates for the shortfalls of 2024. From the 2024 vintage, there will only be “il Conte” and a small quantity of Cassiano – but in outstanding quality.
»After harvest, the cycle begins anew: spreading compost, sowing, pruning, building new compost heaps, preparing biodynamic treatments, tying shoots, thinning excess growth canopy work, plant protection, selective picking.«
Balance
Yields this year were around 10% below our expectations, and harvest demanded, as always, full commitment. Yet the result rewards us richly. The 2025 vintage once again confirms that consistent manual work, biodynamic care, and patient rhythmic practice over the years make the difference.
Our vineyards today show an impressive inner calm and resilience. The balance we strive for becomes tangible in the soil, in the plants, and ultimately in the glass.
After harvest, the cycle begins anew: spreading compost, sowing, pruning, building new compost heaps, preparing biodynamic treatments, tying shoots, thinning excess growth, canopy work, plant protection, selective picking. Each step is part of a greater whole, and we give every task our full attention.
Beyond our daily dedication, there is no secret. Passion, experience, diligence, and the will to make no compromises are our constants. Most important is a team that carries this philosophy. Manual work in the vineyard is demanding – physically strenuous and never routine. But it gives us what we love most: wines with soul, with clear expression, and unmistakable origin.
In short: 2025 is a vintage marked by depth, strength and character. Not a vintage of the century – but one that will leave its trace.