The provincial capital Bolzano (Bozen) lies at the confluence of the Adige and Isarco rivers in the middle of a broad basin bathed in sun. Two of the most prizewinning wines grow here. Santa Maddalena grows on the hills and terraces of the same name northeast of Bolzano. It is regarded as the noblest and strongest Schiava in Alto Adige. The Gries section of the city of Bolzano, on the other hand, is the cradle of the autochthonous varietal Lagrein. This grape is fond of the deep alluvial soils on the valley floor, along with the temperatures that can hit 40° C. (104° F.)
With its aromas of dark berries, cherries, and violets, supported by noble spice tones from the small oak casks, Lagrein from Gries is now all the rage at the international level.
| Vineyard area: |
675 ha. / 1,700 acres (13% of province total) |
| Vineyard elevations: |
250-900 m. (800-3,000 ft.) above sea level |
| Soils: |
primarily porphyry, well-ventilated gravel soils on terraced slopes, alluvial soils in the valley |
| Production: |
30% white wine, 70% red wine |
| Most important varieties: |
Schiava, Lagrein, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc |