It is impossible to delve into the authenticity and uniqueness of the Colterenzio wines without acknowledging the work of Luis Raifer, managing director and the pioneer and dynamo behind the organisation since 1979. His maxim is “Back to the roots”, drawing attention to the qualities inherent in the wines from Colterenzio which make them so particular and distinctive.
His ideas are implemented by his son, Wolfgang Raifer who headed the oenological team until 2005 and who is now responsible for sales. In their quality-oriented philosophy both he and his successor in the cellar, Martin Lemayr, consistently emphasise the “treasures” yielded by the Colterenzio sites, the wines which they skilfully nurture and craft into impressive personalities. An example is the top wine from the private estate “Lafòa” produced from vines “rooted” in the gravely, moranial soils on the knoll between Cornaiano and Colterenzio at an altitude of 430 m.
According to the Colterenzio philosophy wine should be perceived as an element of the cultural heritage, both in the mind of the grower and consumer. It is a plea for authentic enjoyment, an ambassador of the people who grow and care for it. All these efforts have one final aim – for the wine to be enjoyed, savoured with pleasure.
