Alpine or Mediterranean?

Alto Adige grapes grow where the North becomes the South.

The province’s climate lies along the meteorological divide of Central and Southern Europe. The Alps protect the area from cold air masses from the north filled with precipitation, while warm, moist air currents from Lake Garda and the Mediterranean find their way to Alto Adige.
Mild sunny days, warm soils, sufficient precipitation, cool nights, and strong winds bring fruity freshness into Alto Adige wines.
While at elevation of up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level, demanding varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Noir are characterized by a particular finesse, in the valley areas the late ripening varieties such as Lagrein, Merlot, and Cabernet reach perfect maturity.

Enjoyment of Wine with Origin Alto Adige

Enjoyment of Wine with a Guarantee of Origin

The two DOC designations “Alto Adige” or “Südtiroler” and “Lago di Caldaro” or “Kalterersee” identify Alto Adige wines by their origin. For the DOC designation “Alto Adige” or “Südtiroler”, there are six subzones: Isarco Valley, Santa Maddalena, Terlano, Merano, Val Venosta, and Colli di Bolzano.

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A Multitude of Wines and Fine Living

With three hundred days of sun per year and a mild, Alpine-continental climate, Alto Adige is not only one of the most popular vacation areas of Europe, it is also an outstanding winegrowing region.

The Wild West

The dry Val Venosta in the northwest is the smallest winegrowing region of Alto Adige. It is characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night, with favored plantings being Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.

Strongholds of Wine

The Isarco Valley with its northern influences is regarded as the stage for white wines in Alto Adige, with specialties such as Kerner, Sylvaner, or Müller Thurgau at the forefront. The southern extreme of Alto Adige, on the other hand, is the home of Gewürztraminer. At the medium elevation terraced slopes, Pinot Noir reveals its complete potential, while in the warm, lower locations, the late-maturing red wine varieties such as Cabernet thrive especially well.

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Greetings from Lake Garda

Around Appiano and Caldaro, rambling vineyards are nestled in the curving hills all the way to Lake Caldaro. The warm afternoon wind from Lake Garda known as the Ora shapes the character here of Schiava (Vernatsch), Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Winemaking with an Urban Flair

The mild climate in the area around Merano brings forth leading varieties such as Schiava, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc, while around the provincial capital of Bolzano, the heaviest crus of Lagrein ripen.

Alto Adige’s Winegrowing Climate in Figures

Lots of sun and the right rainfall. This is where variety grows.

Hours of sun
1.946 h/year

Laimburg weather station

Precipitations
in mm: 814/year