“It’s always just about the wine.”

Christian Bellutti and his Weinberghof farm in Tramin

Christian Bellutti created his life’s dream himself – with a clear vision, plenty of patience, and a willingness to take on responsibility. In 2005, he founded his own vineyard in Tramin, right in the heart of the Gewürztraminer region. Two years later, he opened the cellar, and since 2012, he has been bottling the entire 2.8 hectares of vineyards himself. He produces around 20,000 to 25,000 bottles per year.

What’s special about this is that, in addition to his self-employment, Christian still works as an employed oenologist. “It was and is a double burden—but also a double opportunity to develop myself.” What drives him is clear:

“I never thought about doing anything else.”

Varieties that suit the homeland

The Weinberghof Bellutti exclusively grows native grape varieties that have been rooted in South Tyrol for centuries: Gewürztraminer, Vernatsch (Kalterersee), Lagrein, Pinot Noir, and some Pinot Blanc.

For Christian, Gewürztraminer is his most important variety—his passion, his trademark. It grows on three different sites: directly on the farm, in the village center, and in the single vineyard Plon above the Graun district. The vines are located at elevations of 250 to 350 meters above sea level, each with its own unique characteristics.

His classic Gewürztraminer, a blend of all three vineyards, is fermented in stainless steel tanks – clear, fruity, and elegant. “It shows what the Traminer soil can do, but without exaggeration.”

Christian Bellutti

Plon – Single location with a future

Christian is particularly proud of the Plon vineyard, officially recognized as a DOC single vineyard for Gewürztraminer since 2024. Here, vines over 30 years old grow on calcareous soil with a clay layer. The combination of warm days and cool downdrafts from the Mendel ridge ensures complex aromas, depth, and freshness.

Christian vinifies his premium Gewürztraminer from a select parcel of land – aged for two years on the full lees in wooden barrels. “It’s not a loud wine,” he says, “but a precise one.”

The fact that, as a small business, he can work so specifically with the locations is a great advantage for him:

“I can develop each plot individually. I see what the soil produces – and how the vineyard develops over the years. That’s living terroir.”

Lagrein with attitude – Riserva with patience

Along with Gewürztraminer, Lagrein is another of Christian’s favorite varietals. The vines are planted on clay soil not far from the farm. The vinification is carried out with sensitivity – traditionally, with oak, but never overly so.

“I don’t want powerful wines. They should have density, but also elegance.”

The Lagrein Riserva is only produced in select years – a wine with structure, aging potential, and depth. As always, the focus is on a sense of the right moment.

The Weinberghof – a place that lives

Christian is the first winemaker in his family – but the Weinberghof has long been a true family business. His wife Daniela, his parents – especially his mother Anni, who handles sales – and their two young daughters help out wherever needed.

Daniela is a pillar of the team: she manages administration, sales, and the organization of the winery, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

The farm isn’t just a workplace, it’s a home. Guests who rent one of the three Weinberghof vacation apartments are right in the middle of it all: They wake up with a view of the vines, watch the work in the vineyard – and toast in the evening on the terrace.

“Many come back every year. I think it’s because they realize: Everything here is authentic.”

Direct – and far-sighted

The wines from the Bellutti vineyard are available directly from the farm and in the wine shop on Tramin’s main square – a historic site run by his mother, Anni. You can often meet him and Daniela there in person – for consultations, conversations, and tastings.

“I like the direct contact,” he says. “I find out how my wines are received – and people learn how they were made.” In addition to the wines, there are selected South Tyrolean specialties on offer. “Not a lot, but good.”

And although sales are deliberately focused on local production, Christian exports small quantities to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark. There, the authenticity and distinctive character of his wines are valued. “Not mass exports, but relationships that suit us.”

Future in vintages – not in numbers

Christian Bellutti doesn’t think in terms of hectares, but in terms of vintages. Not in terms of expansion, but in terms of expression. He deliberately wants to keep his business small – but precise, reliable, and unmistakable.

“I want my wine to have a signature – and to make its origins tangible.”
Anyone who listens to him quickly realizes: For him, wine isn’t a show of self-promotion, but a craft – with attitude.

In the end, there’s one sentence that sums up his work – clear, honest, and straightforward: