Maso Michei

Acquisition and development under the Foradori Hofstätter family

In 2017, Martin Foradori Hofstätter extended his family’s holdings southward from Alto Adige into neighbouring Trentino through the purchase of Maso Michei. The acquisition formed part of the period of modernization and expansion that Martin had led since taking over J. Hofstätter from his parents in 1992.

Maso Michei became the family’s high-altitude Trentino estate, complementing its historic vineyards in Alto Adige and its Riesling holdings in the Mosel/Saar. The property stands at 823 metres in the Piccole Dolomiti, above Ala in Valle dei Ronchi.

Present direction

Martin and Beatrix Foradori Hofstätter currently lead the family business, with support from the fifth generation, Niklas and Emma. At Maso Michei, the family’s stated direction is the production of wines from high-altitude vineyards, with individual sites treated as distinct expressions of origin. The estate’s present range encompasses Pinot Nero from Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT and traditional-method sparkling wines under Trento DOC.

Maso Michei lies in southern Trentino, close to the Veneto border, in the Piccole Dolomiti above the historic trading town of Ala. It occupies an isolated mountain setting in Valle dei Ronchi. The estate itself is identified with an elevation of 823 metres, while the wider Ala–Valle dei Ronchi vineyard zone is described at 600–860 metres. The high Pinot Nero parcel is situated between 790 and 850 metres.

The vineyards occupy sunlit slopes with predominantly southerly to southwesterly exposure. Detailed site specifications give a southwest orientation and gradients reaching 40%; the Pinot Nero parcel is described more specifically as a sunny south-facing slope.

Light, loose soils of calcareous dolomitic rock and dolomitic gravel characterize these mountain slopes. Sunlight, elevation and clear mountain air create a slow growing cycle: the vines develop gradually and the grapes ripen late. These conditions are associated with freshness, mineral character, salinity and a fine, light-footed expression.

The family’s vineyard practice emphasizes gentle pruning and cover crops, intended to strengthen the vines. At Maso Michei, high elevation governs the growing cycle: the vines develop slowly and the grapes ripen late in the isolated mountain environment. The steep, sun-facing sites demand high-altitude viticulture at elevations extending to approximately 850–860 metres.

The production philosophy is organized around origin. Grapes from distinct vineyard sites are vinified separately so that soil, position and microclimate remain legible in the resulting wines. This single-vineyard approach is applied across the family’s three wine regions, including the high-altitude vineyards of Maso Michei.

Maso Michei embodies the Foradori Hofstätter family’s forward-looking commitment to high-altitude winegrowing. The family regards origin as the element that defines a wine’s identity: soil, location and microclimate are intended to give each site its own recognizable character.

This position leads to separate vinification of individual vineyards rather than treating their fruit as interchangeable. Diversity among the sites is retained, while the family seeks to connect the wines through a consistent house signature. Development is framed as a balance between continuity and renewal, combining inherited vineyard experience with new ideas from the younger generation.