Stroblhof

Medieval origins

The documented history of the property begins in 1325, when the fortified residence known as Alt-Firmian appeared in historical records. It belonged for a long period to the Counts of Firmian, who also owned Schloss Sigmundskron. The farmstead developed beside the medieval tower at a later date. The property carried several names over the centuries—Burgstall in Englar, Baumannhof and Englarhof—before becoming Stroblhof. The origin of the present name remains unknown. Only a ruin of Alt-Firmian survives, although its south wall remains almost completely intact.

The beginnings of the wine tradition

The first recorded production year associated with a present-day Stroblhof wine is 1848, when Strahler was first made. Its traditional field blend links Pinot Blanc with smaller proportions of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

In 1872, Eppan was officially recognized as a health resort. Its setting below the Mendel Mountains and proximity to the already-known Eislöcher attracted visitors. During this period, Franz Ausserer married into the Menghin family, then owners of the property, and introduced new economic standards in fruit growing and viticulture.

The first vintage of the estate’s longest-established red wine, P!geno Pinot Noir, followed in 1892.

From rural inn to hotel and wine estate

At the end of the nineteenth century, Franz Ausserer’s son—also named Franz—and his wife Berta took over Stroblhof. They developed it into a popular rural inn by holding numerous events. A royal and imperial shooting range was also located there. The range ceased to serve its original function after the two World Wars, but Stroblhof continued as a social meeting place.

In 1916, Camill Bröll described Stroblhof as the most beautiful estate in the Überetsch area.

A series of conversions and extensions during the 1960s transformed the inn into the first hotel with an outdoor swimming pool in Überetsch. The young heir Josef Hanni-Ausserer subsequently expanded both hospitality and wine production.

Expansion under Josef Hanni-Ausserer

In 1970, the first Stroblhof Pinot Noir Riserva was produced. Two years later, in 1972, Josef Hanni-Ausserer built the region’s first indoor swimming pool, added two tennis courts and intensified the estate’s wine production.

New wines and a modern cellar

The first Schwarzhaus Chardonnay was produced in 1993, followed by Nico Sauvignon in 2003 and Pinot Rosé in 2013.

The present senior generation—Rosi Hanni, Christine Hanni and Andreas Nicolussi-Leck—shaped the modern form of both the estate and its hospitality business. Andreas Nicolussi-Leck recognized the potential of the soils for Pinot varieties and built a modern cellar, improving the precision and quality of Stroblhof’s wines. Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay became central to the estate’s varietal identity.

The southwest-facing Valbion vineyard on the Kreiter Sattel above Lake Kaltern entered Stroblhof ownership in 2015. Its first Valbion Cabernet Franc–Merlot vintage was produced in 2018.

The first Sepp Hanni Pinot Noir selection was produced in 2019. The wine commemorates Stroblhof host Sepp Hanni and his pioneering contribution to the standing of Pinot Noir both at Stroblhof and across Überetsch.

The next generation

Anna and Thomas Nicolussi-Leck have joined the family business. Anna works primarily in hospitality, while Thomas works with Andreas in the vineyards, cellar and administration. The family’s current direction combines a strong focus on Burgundy varieties with sustainable tourism, environmentally considerate production and the careful continuation of the property’s historic character.

All grapes are harvested carefully by hand and brought directly to Stroblhof for vinification. Vineyard work is directed by Andreas and Thomas Nicolussi-Leck.

Selection is particularly strict in the old-vine Pinot Noir parcels. Only the best fruit is retained for the Riserva, while the Sepp Hanni selection is made from old vines directly above Stroblhof and is bottled only in very good years. The six-hectare vineyard area is divided approximately equally between red- and white-wine production.

The family’s stated direction emphasizes environmentally considerate production, continuity with the agricultural cycle and the careful expression of each growing season. No formal viticultural certification or defined organic or biodynamic regime is identified.

The modern cellar was built under Andreas Nicolussi-Leck after he recognized the potential of the estate’s soils for Pinot varieties. The cellar uses natural materials—including clay, earthen or open flooring and clay-lime finishes—to maintain a calm, stable environment.

All harvested grapes are processed at Stroblhof. Each vintage is accompanied individually rather than forced into an identical formula. Oak is treated as a supporting tool intended to carry the wine without dominating it. Pinot Noir matures in French-oak barriques, while large oak vessels are also part of the estate’s fermentation and maturation programme.

The production remains deliberately small. Red and white wines account for approximately equal shares of the estate’s output.