Producer Profile
Kornell Wine Estate
Alto Adige, Italy

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Kornell Wine Estate

Alto Adige, Italy

A wine estate through the ages in the Southern Alps, Alto Adige.

In the historic village of Siebeneich in Alto Adige, Kornell Wine Estate tells a story that stretches back over a thousand years. Archaeological finds reveal the region has been farmed since Roman times, supplying wine even to the Empire. The estate’s oldest structures date to the 11th century, and the ruins of Greifenstein Castle just nestled behind the cellar lies, which became the enduring symbol of the winery today.

Location: Alto Adige, Italy

Total area under vine: 30 hectares

Viticultural standards: Organically farmed

Working with us since: 2025

Website: https://www.kornell.it/en

Interesting fact: Alto Adige is a region located in the southern Alps with vineyards between 400–800 meters altitude. The cool mountain breezes and altitude define Alto Adige’s unique environment. The terroir combines porphyritic, weathered soils on sunny southern slopes, ideal for structured reds. While the chalk-and-limestone soils on cooler eastern slopes are excellent for crisp, mineral whites.

Kornell’s wines

Kornell Wine Estate

The Brigl family has cultivated vines in Alto Adige since at least 1309, and by the 16th century, they were producing wine in nearby Girlan. In 1927, they acquired the former monastery of Großkarnell. Friedrich Brigl launched their own label in the 1950s, only to pause operations in the 1960s. In 1996, Florian Brigl revived the estate, and by 2001, the cellars once again filled with wine. Today, Kornell stands as a self-bottling, independent winery dedicated to both heritage and innovation.

Kornell Wine Estate

Minimal & Mindful: “As little as possible, but as much as necessary.”

Kornell operates roughly 30 hectares of estate vineyards, plus 6 hectares sourced from other growers, alongside 80 hectares of forest, 15 hectares of orchards, and chestnut stands. The guiding principle of their vineyard work is simple: “As little as possible, but as much as necessary.” All vineyards are 100% plastic-free, and all materials used are naturally decomposable. They do not use any compound fertilisers or herbicides, instead, they use mechanical weed control. Cover crops, compost, and sustainable milling maintain soil humus and vigor. The result is healthy rootstock, balanced vines, and expressive grapes.

Kornell Wine Estate

Sustainability at every level

Sustainability isn’t an afterthought, it’s woven into every facet of estate life. Vineyards are 100% plastic-free, and mechanical weed control replaces chemicals. The estate burns wood chips from its orchards to provide around 80% of its heating and hot water needs. Soon, a photovoltaic array will deliver 70% of its electricity. Even packaging is mindful: bottles are 80g lighter, and cases are made from recycled cardboard to reduce CO₂ impact.

The Kornell team is local and committed. Many employees are from Siebeneich and nearby villages, strengthening their bond with the winery. Recognising that winemaking is a team effort, Kornell values each member’s contribution, from vineyard to bottling, to maintain consistency and quality.

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