One family business, one vineyard area, countless genotypes. The Plonerhof estate is situated in a scenic and strategic location for winegrowing in Marlengo near Merano. A typical South Tyrolean farm abandoned and renovated in 2004 by Erhard Tutzer. A small winery newly established in the Burgraviato, i.e., the area that encompasses the city of Merano and its environs is aiming for a completely unique variability to occupy an extremely interesting niche. The success of the Plonerhof winery stems from the incessant and continuous research full of curiosity that Tutzer has carried out during his lifetime, returning from each of his past trips with various "souvenirs" i.e., rooted cuttings or grape seeds of particular vine varieties that were at the time unobtainable; in fact, to date his Pinot Noir vineyard has 172 clones of the variety, making it the largest collection in Italy.
The vineyards on the Plonerhof estate cover 5 hectares, partly with slopes up to 40%, where working is difficult and tiring. It is clear that under these conditions nothing is received as a gift.
Thanks to his resourcefulness, Plonerhof's kellermeister has recently created and taken part in Innovitis, a reality that together with the Institute of San Michele all'Adige is studying and experimenting with the use of so-called "Piwi" vines, crosses between different species of vines that through natural sharing of genetic heritage develop resistance to parasitic diseases such as downy or powdery mildew, without even needing copper and sulfur. With these vines, Tutzer has also developed a white wine based on Solaris (Piwi vine) that is already giving great satisfaction, not to mention environmental benefits.