Today, there are eight controlled designations of origin that can be used with the indication of DOC wines from Alto Adige / Südtirol.
Alto Adige (Südtiroler)
The designation “Alto Adige” may be carried by all common Alto Adige grape varieties that conform with the DOC provisions. The grape variety involved is to be additionally indicated (such as “Alto Adige Lagrein”). Without a further addition, this designation by itself may only be used for sparkling wine and for “Alto Adige Bianco” (“Südtiroler Weiß”) white wines.
Area under cultivation: 3,843 ha. / 9,496 acres (74.2% of province total)
Lago di Caldaro (Kalterersee)
The only DOC designation not preceded by the words “Alto Adige” or “Südtirol”. The reason for this? “Lago di Caldaro” wines are produced not only in Alto Adige, but also across the provincial border in neighboring Trentino. If, however, the wine is produced in the winemaking communities within Alto Adige that are defined as “Lago di Caldaro”, then both the words “Alto Adige” or "Südtirol” and the additional designation “classico” or “klassisch” may be used. Wines that are especially high quality may carry the additional designation “superiore” or “Auslese” (“select”).
Area under cultivation: 459 ha. / 1,134 acres (8.9% of province total)
Alto Adige Valle Isarco (Südtirol Eisacktaler)
In the Isarco Valley, it is almost exclusively Italian white wines that are produced. There are a few exceptions formed by the “Klausner Laitacher”. The designation “Alto Adige Valle Isarco” or “Südtirol Eisacktaler” must be followed by a designation of variety or location. The permitted white grape varieties are Sylvaner, Veltliner, Pinot Grigio, Müller Thurgau, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling, while the permitted red varieties are limited to or Schiava, Portugieser, Lagrein, and Pinot Noir.
Area under cultivation: 299 ha. / 739 acres (5.8% of province total)
Alto Adige Santa Maddalena (Südtirol St. Magdalener)
The “Santa Maddalena” flourishes on the slopes north of Bolzano and is a classic Schiava wine which may also contain up to 15% Lagrein or Pinot Noir. If the wine comes from the zones of St. Magdalena, St. Justina, Rentsch, Leitach, or St. Peter, it may carry the additional designation “classico - klassisch”.
Area under cultivation: 231 ha. / 571 acres (4.5% of province total)
Alto Adige Terlano (Südtirol Terlaner)
This designation may only be used for Italian white wines from the Terlano area. Without a listing of the grape variety, “Alto Adige Terlano” is a white wine cuvée that contains a minimum of 50% Pinot Blanc and/or Chardonnay.
Area under cultivation: 164 ha. / 405 acres (3.2% of province total)
Alto Adige Meranese (Südtirol Meraner)
This wine grows in the cultivation zone around Merano and is made only from the Schiava grape variety.
Area under cultivation: 130 ha. / 321 acres (2.5% of province total)
Alto Adige Valle Venosta (Südtirol Vinschgau)
The province’s newest DOC zone. The designation “Alto Adige Valle Venosta” or “Südtirol Vinschgau” must always be supplemented by the varietal designation. The permitted grape varieties are Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Müller Thurgau, Riesling, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Schiava, and Pinot Noir.
Area under cultivation: 33 ha. / 82 acres (0.6% of province total)
Alto Adige Colli di Bolzano (Südtirol Bozner Leiten)
The cultivation zone of the “Colli di Bolzano” or “Bozner Leiten”, a Schiava wine, surrounds the zone of the “Santa Maddalena” like a belt.
Area under cultivation: 8 ha. / 20 acres (0.2% of province total)