Radoar - (Archived)

Norbert Blasbichler, the proprietor of Azienda vinicola & distilleria Radoar tends a miniscule 3.5 hectares of grapes at 900 meters near a well-worn footpath in the Dolomites. Radoar is a polycultural farm and distillery where grappa is made from organically farmed apples, pears and chestnuts. Norbert also tends beef cattle for the local restaurants.

Nortbert harvests Muller-Thurgau, Zweigelt, Pinot Noir and a tiny plot of Kerner. The goal is to reach a total of five hectares under vine. Quantities here are miniscule and until 2009 Norbert sold his entire production from the estate door and to clients in Austria and Germany. 2008 was the first vintage to be imported into the United States.

Little Known Fun Fact: Norbert’s 1.5 hectares of Zweigelt represent the largest plantings in Italy.

Visit Radoar’s website (in Italian and German) here.