Arunda
The Estate
Founded on the passion and innovation of Josef Reiterer, the winery masterfully combines tradition and modernity. The story of Cantina Arunda began in 1979 when Josef Reiterer started producing 10,000 bottles of sparkling wine in Alto Adige, at a time when no other winery in the region specialized exclusively in it. This unique focus led to immediate success, with Arunda crafting its wines using the Metodo Classico, where each bottle undergoes secondary fermentation with selected sugars and yeasts. Initially, Josef Perler had considered opening a distillery, but he ultimately followed his wife’s intuition—giving rise to a production that blends tradition with modernity. He still jokes, “Women prefer pearls, so Perlage it was!” Through innovation, dedication, and passion, Arunda offers an authentic taste of Alto Adige, revealing a world of refined aromas.
Located in Meltina at 1,200 meters above sea level, Arunda holds the title of the highest winery in Europe. This altitude, along with the region’s natural temperature fluctuations, allows for a slow and balanced maturation of the wines, enhancing their complexity and elegance. Recognized beyond Italy’s borders, Arunda’s Metodo Classico sparkling wines are renowned for their refined character.
The Wine
The favorable climate, with natural temperature fluctuations, allows for a slow and balanced maturation of the wines, enhancing their elegance, complexity, and richness. Arunda sources the highest quality raw materials from Alto Adige’s finest terroirs, including Appiano, Cornaiano, Terlano, and Bassa Atesina, working closely with small independent producers to ensure consistent quality.
Arunda’s sparkling wines represent the excellence of Alto Adige, a region renowned for its diverse geography and climate. Crafted using the Metodo Classico, they are carefully blended from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir grapes grown in select vineyards across Terlano, Appiano, Cornaiano, and Salorno. The wines display a brilliant golden hue with a fine and persistent mousse. Their aromatic profile reveals a rich bouquet of citrus, alpine flowers, and ripe apricots, while on the palate, they offer a smooth, well-rounded structure with a playful hint of bitter almond on the finish. The standard ageing process lasts around 24 months, while special cuvées are left to mature for up to 60 months, delivering a truly unique expression of Alto Adige’s terroir.