Cantina Terlano is one of Italy's most revered cooperative wineries, founded in 1893 in the village of Terlano in Alto Adige — a region widely regarded as producing the finest Pinot Bianco in the world. The winery's philosophy is built on patience: every wine is given all the time it needs to mature to perfection, whether years or even decades. This commitment to slow, unhurried winemaking is backed by a legendary archive of over 100,000 bottles spanning vintages from 1955 to the present, with some rarities dating to the winery's founding year. Terlano's white wines have repeatedly made headlines for their extraordinary longevity and complexity.
The Tradition Pinot Bianco is sourced from carefully selected vineyards in the Alto Adige, where high-altitude sites, mineral-rich soils, and old vines farmed with up to 700 hours of manual work per hectare per year create conditions of exceptional harmony. Low yields and rigorous selection of healthy, fully mature grapes ensure concentration and precision in every vintage.
Vinification is carried out entirely in stainless steel, with extended lees aging to develop texture, complexity, and the wine's signature mineral depth. The focus is on secondary and tertiary aromatic development rather than primary fruit — a hallmark of Terlano's distinctive, age-worthy style.
The 2024 Tradition opens with aromas of crushed yellow apple, jasmine, wildflowers, and ripe pear, with a light, inviting waxiness. On the palate, the wine is beautifully balanced — fleshy yet precise, with candied citrus, nectarine, warm bread, and a classic stony, saline finish. Lively acidity and a long, fresh close with a twang of sour lime complete a wine of real elegance and depth.
"The Alto Adige produces arguably the finest Pinot Bianco in the world, and this scintillating example is a perfect introduction to the local style… Balanced and with lovely acidity, it's quite fleshy but not fully open yet… Really good length, with that classic stony, salty finish."
— Decanter, 93 Points. (Vintage 2024).
"Baked apples and fresh pears mingling with lemon curd… The palate keeps that balance between power and grace, candied citrus and warm bread notes flowing with the confidence of a winery that's been mastering this dance since forever."
— Wine Enthusiast, 93 Points — Editors' Choice. (Vintage 2024).
"Mixes vivid notes of crushed yellow apple with wildflowers and spice… A subtle saline tinge remains, as the 2024 finishes incredibly fresh with a twang of sour lime."
— Vinous, 91 Points. (Vintage 2024).
"Well-balanced and fresh, with flavors of ripe nectarine, green almond, passion fruit and white blossom, plus a stony base note that chimes in on the finish."
— Wine Spectator, 90 Points. (Vintage 2024).
Grape: Pinot Bianco
Region: Alto Adige, Italy
Appellation: Alto Adige DOC
Vintage: 2024
Élevage: Stainless steel with extended lees aging
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pairing: Grilled fish, scallops, risotto, roast chicken, soft cheeses, and light pasta dishes with cream or vegetables.
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