Born in 1954, in the heart of the Italian Alps, Werner Morandell is one of the pioneers of sustainable viticulture. Since a young age, Morandell helped his father in the family’s vineyards and decided in 1993 to dedicate himself fully to his lifelong hobby of wine making. Quickly he realised the overuse and abuse of pesticides in viticulture and switched to organic methods. In 1998, Werner finds out about PIWI vines (vines resistant to Mildew and Peronospora) and decides to plant the first PIWI vineyard of Italy in 2002. Ever since, the pioneer has converted 80% of LIESELEHOF’s land into PIWI vineyards and was the vice-president of PIWI International and PIWI South Tyrol for more than 15 years altogether. PIWI International was the first association to promote pesticide free viticulture. As of today Werner Morandell has participated in many important conferences regarding sustainable viticulture and published two books covering this crucial topic.
His life’s work has enabled wine producers all over Europe to pursue a clean and healthy form of producing wines.
Today, at LIESELEHOF Winery, Morandell and his two sons produce award winning red, white and sparkling wines on the hills and mountains of the South Tyrolean Alps between 200 and 1250m.a.s.l. reducing the use of pesticides and chemicals between 90%-100%.
