Meteorological data shows that the past wine-growing year was particularly challenging. The mildest winter in decades and early flowering around March 20 were followed by a drop in temperature a month later, which caused widespread frost damage. However, the frost was only the beginning; the persistently cool, cloudy weather also resulted in fewer grapes with fewer berries.

"The lowest yields were for Lagrein, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Grigio, while Vernatsch, Merlot and Riesling were relatively unaffected by the bad weather during flowering," explains Hansjörg Hafner from the South Tyrolean Advisory Service for Fruit and Wine Growing. With regard to the Eisack Valley, Andreas Huber from the Pacherhof Winery in Neustift, speaks of yield losses of 15 to 70 percent, while Martin Lemayr, cellar master at the Kellerei Schreckbichl, even reported isolated total losses.

A challenging year, late harvest
The meteorological challenges meant that the harvest was later than usual – and was also interrupted by rain, "but at least that gave us wineries a few breaks," smiles Andreas Huber, who—back to being serious—talks about a "challenging year" that required a lot of work and dedication in the vineyard. "Especially where large hailstones had damaged individual grapes, they had to be sorted out by hand," says the Eisack Valley winemaker.

2024 was therefore a challenging year for South Tyrolean winegrowers due to frost and humidity. This is also confirmed by Veronika Pfeifer from the Pfannenstielhof in Bolzano: "Not only was intensive and careful manual labor necessary in the vineyard, but also flexibility and timely action."Burgundy wines emerge as winners The weather-related losses meant that many South Tyrolean vineyards were able to harvest considerably less than in previous years. "However, thanks to precise foliage work and careful harvesting, the quality of the grapes did not suffer," says Pfeifer. This is especially true for the Burgundy grapes, which were healthy and ripe when harvested. Martin Lemayr therefore gives a positive assessment of the Pinot Noir from the 2024 vintage: "It is characterized by fresh fruit aromas such as raspberry and sour cherry and has a very clear, intense, bright and radiant color," says the cellar master at the Schreckbichl winery. "The wines are less sweet and are characterized by liveliness, elegance, and a delicate tannin structure."

The late-ripening varieties, on the other hand, presented a number of challenges. Here, a particularly good sense of the right timing and a great deal of care were required during the harvest in order to get the best out of the conditions. "The late-ripening, tannin-rich red wine varieties certainly had a harder time and only reached full ripeness in a few locations, which is why one or two selection wines from the 2024 vintage were not produced," explains Lemayr.

The autochthonous varieties
The same applies to Vernatsch wines, which Veronika Pfeifer says have slightly less alcohol than in previous years. She describes the new vintage with three simple keywords: fresh, fruity, and fine.

Like most other grape varieties, South Tyrol's second indigenous variety, Lagrein, also suffered from the weather conditions—but mainly in terms of quantity. "Due to coulure during flowering and spring frosts, it is slightly below average in some areas," explains oenologist Pfeifer, who describes the 2024 Lagrein as "harmonious, velvety, and smooth."

White wines with fruit and finesse
The South Tyrolean white wines do not seem to have been affected by the meteorological challenges – on the contrary: "The significant cooling in September had a pleasingly positive effect on aroma, freshness, fruitiness, and finesse," says Andreas Huber from the Pacherhof winery. This was particularly true for the main varieties of the Eisack Valley: Riesling, Kerner and Sylvaner , the damp weather and noble botrytis infection resulted in above-average quality. "We are very confident about the 2024 vintage, as the low yields and slow ripening of the grapes have created the basis for exceptionally refined and long-lasting white wines," says Huber. Martin Lemayr's conclusion is similarly positive. "The white wines – including Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc – present themselves with fine, fresh fruit aromas and an elegant, rather delicate structure." Aromatic varieties such as Sauvignon are characterized by cool, slightly greenish, clear aromas and a lively, well-integrated acidity. "In addition, the wines are distinguished by a lower alcohol content, which further emphasizes their freshness and drinkability," says the cellar master at the Schreckbichl winery.