|
Towards
the end of the 11th century, the Earls of Bolzano bid a
stronghold to be built in the centre of the former “Cheller” (literally
cellar) where “Gries” is to be seen in these days. This
fortress was expected to counterbalance the influence from the neighbour
city of Bolzano carried out by the bishops of Trento. The first record
of the name Gries in offical documents was in the year 1185 but it did
not replace the former “Cheller” until 200 years later.
Meinhard
II of Görz-Tirol (13th century), who ruled this independent
county, dwelled himself in the stronghold of Gries, which had been
enlarged through a belfry erected itself some time before and preserved
in the bell tower until today. Earl Leopold, who similarly ruled the
county of Tirol, passed the fortress over to some homeless Austin canons,
who had lost their monastery in “Au” because of a flood. It
was therefore turned into a monastery. In the year 1416 a two
nave gothic church was erected instead of the old chapel, but since 1788
the purpose of that room changed altogether, as a new baroque church was
built.
In
the year 1845 Muri-Gries was born, as Benedectine monks from Muri in the
Swiss county of Aargau were forced to leave their monastery and moved to
one in Gries, which had meanwhile been quitted. A new phase in the life
of this building complex stretching along many centuries began then: the
history of Muri-Gries.
|
|
|
Wine
cellar: yesterday….
With
the arrival of the Benedectine friars from Muri in 1845
a new phase in the history of wine industry for the
monastery in Gries started. They
used to take their order rule “ora et labora”
very seriously, even what concerned vineyards. On the
turn of the 20th century the winery of
Muri-Gries was bound to step in the outer world. Lots of
loose wine first started being delivered beyond the
Brenner border in several German speaking regions. Wine
brands like St. Magdalener and Malvasia, Lagrein,
Kretzer and Pinot Grigio were grown and pressed in old
well-preserved cellars.
|
|
|
|
…and
today |
|
A
main turning point for the winery of Muri-Gries is the year
1968, as its self- made wine was first bottled within the
monastery rooms. Loose wine continued to be sold for some more
years but mainly for the market around Gries and Bolzano.
However, a new quality oriented trading strategy got through and
was successful. Since 1985 Lagrein wine brands have been the
lead in the wine ranking of the monastery and have developped an
own personality. However, the company staff of Muri-Gries stress
the importance of old, native wines, some of which were ignored
before. Fortunately, this awareness and a strong belief in their
own tradition have lately got braced. As a matter of fact, the
success of Muri-Gries would not be possible without investing in
quality or without working with its own resources.
Today
Muri-Gries represents a classical red wine farming company, as
the production of white brands lies by 15%.
Among all red wines Lagrein covers 80% of the market pie.
The resting 20% is shared among other brands like Vernatsch, St.
Magdalener, Kalterersee selection, Pinot Nero and Moscato Rosa.
What concerns white wine brands, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio,
Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer absolutely need to be mentioned.
In these days, over 90% of the wine is sold however as high
quality one in 0,75 liter glass bottles.
|
|
HOME
|
|
|
