This single vineyard is part of the selection VIGNA and is located in the prestigious terroir of Entiklar, in the municipality of Kurtatsch [Cortaccia]. The one-hectare vineyard sits above our winery estate, at elevations ranging from 260 to 320 meters above sea level. Originally planted with Schiava grapes 60 years ago, the vines were grafted with Chardonnay in 1990, with the top part of the Chardonnay vine transplanted onto the existing Vernatsch [Schiava] rootstocks. Vines of this age produce less grapes per vine and benefit from a deep root system that allows them to absorb more nutrients and water from the soil and subsequently lead to a greater concentration and complexity in the wine.  The grapes are harvested at phenolic maturity with a good sugar-acid balance. They are gently crushed and the must allowed to ferment spontaneously in small oak barrels. The young wine undergoes malolactic fermentation on the lees. After a year, all the wine is placed in a stainless steel tank for six months for clarification by natural sedimentation. The AU Chardonnay Riserva is bottled in the appropriate phase of the moon and left to mature in the bottle for two more years.