Bolzano's Native Wines

As an old proverb goes, 'Venice floats on water, and Bolzano on wine.' Bolzano has a long tradition of wine production, now reflected in the work of nearly thirty private wineries and one cooperative in the city. Lagrein and S. Maddalena, the quintessential native red wines, are iconic of this heritage.

Lagrein is in fact one of the most important native varieties of South Tyrol, characterized by an intense, dark ruby red colour. This full-bodied wine, with mild acidity, is cultivated at low altitudes up to 300 m above sea level and prefers warm, gravelly, or sandy soils.With its fruity aroma of ripe cherry and floral notes of violets, it delights the palate and pairs perfectly with game, red meat, and aged cheese.

S. Maddalena, on the other hand, is traditionally grown on the sunny hillside north of Bolzano, where it gains an intense, full flavor, enhanced by a small amount of Lagrein blended with Schiava/Vernatsch. S. Maddalena is a wine with ancient roots, featuring a ruby red color and a fruity aroma. Its harmonious, full-bodied taste pairs excellently with fish dishes, meat, and fresh cheese.

The deep bond between Bolzano and wine is clear: the vineyards weave through the districts and historic town, outlining the contours and adorning the gentle slopes and flat basin like a natural garden.Everywhere, the rows of vines intertwine with the architecture, creating an unmistakable and unique scenery beneath the Dolomites.

For more information about the wineries, visit: https://www.suedtiroler-weinstrasse.it/en.html

Download

You can download brochures with further information about South Tyrolean wines from Vini Alto Adige/Südtirol Wein.