Tell me what you drink and I’ll tell you who you are! This ‘liquid personality analysis’ works a treat with my courtiers, and I’d bet my left roof beam that your favourite wine reflects your innermost self too. When it comes to people and their wines, I know my stuff like no other – you can take my word for it. Today, I’m going to let you take a deep look into my courtiers’ glasses. There are five of them, and each has their own little drop that they swear by.
Andrea and no false labelling
When Andrea joined the Raffeiner family, she was still very much a novice when it came to wine. So she reached for the bottle with the prettiest label. One might think that was a bit naive, but Andrea had a knack for it. She chose the Chardonnay Lafoa from the Schreckbichl Winery, and she found it delicious from the very first sip. That hasn’t changed to this day. It is a fruity wine, full of power and elegance, which has been fermented in barrique barrels.
Elisabeth and her golden evening
Elisabeth is my ‘Goldmarie’. For her, there’s the Gewürztraminer Selida from the Tramin Winery – for every occasion and at (almost) any time of day or night. The wine has no acidity, but plenty of aroma; it’s fruity and spicy at the same time, and it glows so golden in the glass that it’s a real delight. Elisabeth loves drinking it most of all after a hard’s day’s work. As for exactly what time that is, she’d rather not tell me – with a wink.
Helmuth and the ten years of Wednesdays
At Helmuth’s, it’s almost a love story. For ten years, every Wednesday he had a glass of Manna by Franz Haas. Manna is a cuvée made from Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Kerner and Gewürztraminer – in other words, all the finest and most expensive varieties. It is perfectly balanced, with a complex bouquet and a body that is at once full-bodied, supple and slightly mineral. Helmuth likes to say that Franz Haas dedicated this wine to his wife because it is just as complicated as she is. As for what his own wife, Elisabeth, has to say about that, you’ll have to ask him yourself.
Patrick and the red character
Patrick’s face turns red. His heart beats for the Composition Reif from Erbhof Unterganzner, which is based over in Kardaun near Bolzano. When you put your nose to the glass, you’re met with dark berries, cherries and a subtle hint of spice. On the palate, this wine has power yet remains well-balanced; the tannins are soft, and the finish lingers pleasantly for a long time. In short: this is a wine with character.
Benjamin and the wine in his hunting rucksack
For Benjamin, the Vernatsch from Baron Widmann, served slightly chilled, is quite simply the best wine in the world. It goes with almost any dish, is a joy to drink and doesn’t become tiresome even after the third glass. This wine embodies a good bit of home. No wonder, then, that the Vernatsch is part of his standard kit when Benjamin goes hunting. Up on the mountain, over a hearty snack of bacon, with the view and the peace and quiet all around, that’s all he needs.
The premier destination for wine
With such a wide variety of tastes, you might well be wondering what these five actually have in common. It’s quite simple: for me, wine isn’t just something to be drunk – it’s something to be celebrated. My cellar houses over 450 labelsfrom the Old World, with a particular fondness for South Tyrolean rarities. My two sommeliers, Helmuth and Benjamin, will select the perfect wine to accompany your meal, which will be poured into one of twenty-five hand-picked decanters. I’ve been part of the Vinum Hotels Südtirol since 2024, but to be honest, I’ve been the top destination for wine in the Schnalstal for much longer.
For those who’d like to delve even deeper, I highly recommend my wine weeks. From 7 to 14 November 2026, Helmuth and Benjamin will transform my dining rooms into a little wine academy, with tastings, stories and the odd treasure from the cellar. Places are almost always snapped up in a flash; those who book in time are guaranteed pure bliss in a glass. My wine and glass culture will show you what to expect.
