The sensational wine treasure cellar in the Vinum Hotel Ansitz Plantitscherhof can be reached via a hidden secret passage. Host and collector Johannes Gufler opened the door for me and gave me a selection of South Tyrolean wines that you should definitely try when you visit. No sooner said than done.
Vinum Hotel Ansitz Plantitscherhof: wine cellar with secret access or dinner for two
“Hold on. Did I really walk by there without a clue?” That was my first thought when Johannes Gufler, host at the Vinum Hotel Ansitz Plantitscherhof, opened the secret door to the huge wine cellar. (No, I don’t give away any clues, I like to check in there and go on a search – maybe the Frog King knows the way) There, in Bottle Paradise, three cellars store selected fruit salad jewels, which the owner of the house collects – along with vintage cars, cigars and whisky – and has put on the book-large wine list in the hotel. I will introduce the hotel to you in detail in a separate article shortly – look forward to it!
Because we share a wine quirk and I asked nicely, Johannes invited us on a little tour and agreed at short notice to spontaneously put together a wine shopping list down there, with a selection of great South Tyrolean wines that you should try as a wine taster when you check in at the hotel. For very special wine moments you can also book a dinner for two in the cellar. I looked at the location including candlelight, believe me, with an invitation there you make a lasting impression on the dinner guest.
About Vinum Hotels
The VINUM HOTELS are an association of 29 hotels, all of which are located in one of the seven South Tyrolean wine growing regions. And all members share my wine quirk. Translated: In the hotels the focus is on the enjoyment of fruit salad. Each Vinum Hotel South Tyrol is managed very personally by passionate wine connoisseurs – like in the Hotel Ansitz Plantitscherhof Johannes Gufler – some even have their own winery at the start or, as here, a wine cellar where you can not only drink but also eat in a very private setting. So you can sit at the source of good mood, enjoy wine accompaniment, wine tours in a vintage car, cellar tours or vineyard tours, get advice when pouring wine and start with the best views of the mountains or just relax.
Come in and wine out. Over 21,000 bottles of wine from the region of South Tyrol, from Europe and from overseas are stored in the three wine cellars of the Ansitz Plantitscherhof.
I already feel at home after seconds.
View from the older to the new area of the cellar. A real playroom for someone like me.
In the historic deep cellar dating back to 1277, mature South Tyrolean white and red wines are stored. These include genuine South Tyrolean specialties, such as the 1975 Pinot Noir Terlan or, since 1990, every vintage of Chardonnay Löwengang.
Wine buying list South Tyrol: Ansitz Plantitscher-Hof Edition
Can tell you something about every wine in his collection: Host Johannes Gufler with a selection of South Tyrol wines for wine tasters.
Of course there are still many more South Tyrolean wines in the hotel and/or on the fruit salad map to discover, why these six fun makers are worth an uncork date, reveals collector Johannes Gufler himself. The once youngest Sommeliér of Italy is a walking wine encyclopedia, which answers every question with background knowledge and wit. So don’t hesitate to ask when you are a guest, learning is a real pleasure.
“Small but nice: Gump Hof – Markus Packwieser Sauvignon Blanc Riserva. Also from the Eisacktal, I am always thrilled, he can go solo, for a date or elegantly to eat – he can do everything!
“A Grüner Veltliner 2018 from Vinum Hotel and Winery Pacherhof. The Grüner Veltliner from the Eisack valley has a wonderful freshness, in addition a peppery note, the content keeps everything the stylish green bottle promises”.
“Pinot Bianco Quintessence from the Kaltern Winery. Also here: One of the highest things you can taste and experience in Weissburgunder. Cultivated in lower altitudes than the Vorberg, but even crisper, fresher, more mineral. Very interesting to drink, real conversation piece.
“Cantina Terlan, Pino Bianco Riserva Vorberg: one of the greatest wines we have every year. Regardless of the vintage, this Pinot Blanc from steep sites of the Terlan Winery is one of the wines that you should definitely try. If you don’t stand in line with your glass, you are missing something!
“Cantina Kurtatsch, Freienfeld Chardonnay Riserva. From the new architecturally impressive winery we saw on our Bulli tour. Freienfels, a beautiful estate, and a wonderfully fitting name for the wine. Mineralic, with train, a real fun wine – it is strong, it is ingenious!”.
Vernatsch, internationally a difficult topic, in South Tyrol a must. I rediscovered this one from the Rielingerhof by chance, and immediately put it on the map. Important: drink it absolutely cold, then you can expect a fascinating drinking experience. Whoever is allowed to drink this Rielingerhof Vernatsch is one of the happiest people in the world.
I can confirm that. We tried the cold Vernatsch on an oldtimer-bulli-tour with Johannes. In the glass you have a cool mix of sparkling sour cherry, so juicy and flirting as I have never experienced before. I can only recommend it: If you are curious about red wine and like to try something unconventional without giving up elegance: go for it!
I won’t keep the wine tip from you – the sensational red wine from Capelands Estate in South Africa is also on the wine list at Plantitscherhof.
The bottle of Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon is a work of art, and the noble outfit has really charming inner values from plum to cassis. One would like to bathe in it. But then I took the pool in the Plantitscherhof.
A great wine selection that really puts you in a good mood: If you come to the Plantitscherhof, be sure to try it!
Vinum Hotel Ansitz Plantitscherhof
Wine pleasure meets garden paradise: In the Vinum Hotel Ansitz Plantitscherhof in Merano, South Tyrolean wine lovers meet up with extendable vintage cars, cordial hosts, designer rooms with creative extras, food indulgence and a panoramic pool, as well as lots of wine experiences, all at a really fair price. You can find more information at www.plantitscherhof.com
