Bright, unoaked Chardonnay with orchard fruit, citrus, and enough body to feel complete. Alto Adige elevation and restrained cellar work give the grape a cleaner, more lifted shape.
Quick Facts
- Region: Alto Adige DOC, Italy
- Variety: 100% Chardonnay
- Style: Dry, unoaked, medium-bodied white
- Best For: date night, small celebrations, seafood dinners, brighter Chardonnay drinkers
- Vintage: 2024
Chardonnay is not the first grape many people associate with Alto Adige, which is part of the appeal. Mountain elevation and cool nights keep the wine energetic, while strong sun gives it enough fruit and body to remain recognizably Chardonnay. Elena Walch keeps the cellar work restrained, giving Chablis drinkers a familiar clean line without turning the wine into an imitation of Burgundy.
Why We Love It
This bottle lets fruit, acidity, and subtle lees texture do the work rather than building the style around oak. It stays lively but still feels complete, making it a strong date-night white or a bottle for a small celebration when the wine should feel thoughtfully chosen.
Featured in our Elena Walch: Where Summer Meets the Alps flight, July 2026.
Tasting Profile
Ripe orchard fruit and citrus meet a smooth, medium-bodied palate and a clean, focused finish.
- Aroma: ripe apple, pear, lemon, honeysuckle, light floral notes
- Palate (Flavor): juicy orchard fruit, citrus, pear, subtle mineral notes
- Structure & Finish (Mouthfeel): medium body, lively acidity, smooth texture, clean focused finish
Winemaking
Handpicked fruit is gently pressed and fermented completely in stainless steel, keeping the fruit and floral profile clear. Several months on the fine lees add subtle body and depth without introducing oak flavor.
Serving & Pairing
Serve well chilled, around 47-51°F.
Pair with trout, salmon, Mediterranean seafood, grilled vegetables, or lighter pasta.
Estate Overview
A trained architect, Elena Walch began releasing wine under her own name in 1988 and became an important figure in Alto Adige’s move toward lower yields, site-conscious farming, and more precise estate bottlings. Her daughters Julia and Karoline now lead the fifth generation of the family estate. For Petit Philippe, the Chardonnay matters because it shows that the house’s regional point of view remains clear even in one of its most broadly accessible wines.
Terroir (Place)
Southeast-facing vineyards in southern Alto Adige range from classic mid-elevation sites to parcels reaching roughly 600 meters, with limestone soils beneath the vines. Mediterranean sun develops the fruit, while elevation and cooling Dolomite influence preserve acidity and aromatic definition. The result is Chardonnay with ripe fruit and body, but a cleaner and more energetic overall shape.
