Castel Juval Unterortl Winery
Situated at 700 meters above sea level at the entrance to the Schnals Valley in South Tyrol, Castel Juval Unterortl Winery occupies a unique position on the prominent nose of Juval Hill. This exceptional location offers diverse sun exposures and elevations across the vineyard plots, which stretch east to west and range from 620 to 850 meters in altitude. The terroir is defined by ancient glacial moraine composed of gneiss rock and sandy soils, providing an ideal foundation for viticulture.

Founded in 1992 by the legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner and developed alongside the Aurich family, the winery is now under the stewardship of Raphael and Christine Burki. A few years ago, ownership transitioned to Simon Messner, and in 2023, the estate achieved organic certification. Raphael Burki, a graduate of the esteemed Geisenheim University in oenology, previously honed his craft as head winemaker at wineries in Switzerland and New Zealand, bringing a wealth of international experience to the estate.
Spanning 4.3 hectares, the winery cultivates classic grape varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, and Pinot Noir, all vinified on-site with meticulous care.

In the vineyards, every task is performed by hand – from pruning to harvest – ensuring an intimate connection with each vine. Grapes are handpicked and carefully sorted directly in the vineyard to select only the finest fruit. Committed to sustainable organic viticulture, the estate embraces the natural ecosystem, promoting biodiversity and respecting the environmental balance within and around the vineyards.

Within the cellar, the grapes are handled with the utmost gentleness using minimal intervention techniques to preserve their inherent qualities. The winemaking philosophy centers on crafting wines that authentically express the distinctive characteristics of each grape variety and encapsulate the unique essence of the vineyard sites and terroir.