Wine history

Even during the Bronze Age, settlers cultivated the oldest wine-growing area in the German-speaking region. The 'Rhaetian wine' from the Etsch country was admired by the Romans. In wooden caskets, bound by iron belts, the Rhaetians transported their wine, renowned as being 'second to none'. It was even delivered to the King’s court. This is when the Romans learnt that wine ripens much better in wooden caskets, rather than in earthy amphorae.

From the 8th Century, Franken and Bavarian cloisters bought some wine-growing estates in order to ensure a continued supply. The South Tyrolean wine cultivation was supported for more than 600 years by the Austrian regime. Lagrein and Vernatsch, as well as Gewürztraminer formed many old and local types of grapes along the vineyards. This is still the case today. During the second half of the 19th Century, international grapes moved into the vineyards of South Tyrol.

Today, the wine-growers of South Tyrol cultivate more than 20 types of grapes – and this only on 5,000 hectare of land. Less than one percent of the Italian wine comes from South Tyrol. However, the quality measures up to the excellent wines from the Tuscany or Piedmont regions.