The South Tyrolean Wine Road is one of the most popular destinations for wine and food tourism, starting in Nals and winding its way along the Oltradige and Bassa Atesina to Salorno.It was the Greeks, in 500 B.C., who brought all knowledge about wine to our latitudes, while the Romans contributed significantly to the spread of the vine.Sun and warmth are indispensable for the vine, precisely because it needs an average temperature of at least 15°C during its vegetative period. The 1800 hours of sunshine per year are therefore the best conditions for the flourishing growth of vines in South Tyrol up to altitudes of around 1000 metres above sea level.
Approximately 90% of the annual harvest of 600,000 hectolitres is transformed into quality wine with a registered designation of origin.
WHITE WINES
White grapes are cultivated in more than 45% of the vineyards in South Tyrol and the trend is increasing. Ruländer or Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, which together make up almost 60 per cent of production, are the most represented among the white wines. Nowhere else in Italy, however, is it possible to obtain such fresh, fruity, original and decisive wines from white grape varieties (such as Gewürztraminer, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Sauvignon, Veltliner or Kerner).
RED WINES
For more than a century, alongside the two indigenous grape varieties (Schiava and Lagrein), all the most important classic grape varieties (Pinot noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc) have also been cultivated in South Tyrol and are now perfectly acclimatised here.
Scarcely 55% of the total wine-growing area in South Tyrol is cultivated with red wine grape varieties. Even if Schiava (the South Tyrolean wine par excellence, fresh, fruity and drinkable) continues to play the main role, the 'big reds' of South Tyrol, from the decisive Lagrein to the vigorous Cabernet, also continue to attract international attention.
All these renowned wine labels can be discovered by taking part in the year-round event, the WeinSafari: a tour of discovery through South Tyrol's vineyards and its wine products, with tastings of special menus that introduce you to South Tyrol's flavour culture.
Wine & Bike
Cycling into the sun on the oldest wine road in Italy - the South Tyrolean Wine Road. Discover some of South Tyrol's nature & culture cycling amidst vineyards and orchards, past old castles and fortresses, along comfortable cycling tracks and enjoy the variety of the landscape.
In the Pinot Blanc area EPPAN
BIKE / Old train station Eppan - Girlan - Schreckbichl - Lake Montiggler See - Eppan Berg - St. Pauls & back
PLEASURE / splendid manors, castles & fortresses, alleys & churches and unique vineyards
WINE / visit of a winery with guided tasting
In the St. Magdalener and Lagrein areas in BOZEN
BIKE / City centre Bozen - Rentsch - Gries & back
PLEASURE / the Magdalener hill below Rentsch, the historic wineries and private wine farms in Gries, the geographical area of origin of the autochthone Lagrein vine
WINE / visit of a historic winery with wine tasting
In the area of the Kalterer See wine in KALTERN
BIKE / Rottenburger square in Kaltern - Oberplanitzing - Lake Kalterer See & back
PLEASURE / the impressive area around Lake Kaltern and the charming village centre of Kaltern
WINE / visit of a winery with guided tasting
In the Gewürztraminer wine area in TRAMIN
BIKE / village centre Tramin - St. Jakob church in Kastelaz & back
PLEASURE / the historic village centre of Tramin and its renowned parish church, wonderful views of the vineyards from Tramin to Lake Kaltern
WINE / visit of a winery with guided tasting
