The Diversity of the Terroir
On the Sunny Side of the Alps
The distinctive landscape of South Tyrol was formed during the Ice Age, when impressive glaciers displayed their enormous power, leaving behind large ancient landslides and creating one of the most remarkable landscapes in the Alps. The presence of moraines, detritic cones and loess sedimentation, together with varied soil types including clay-based, sandy and also porphyry soils in the valley beds, provided the basis for an incredible variety for such a small region. In addition the Mediterranean climate and windy mountain air provide for especially advantageous climatic conditions, from Valley Isarco in the North to Val Venosta in the West. Therefore it is possible to find highly diverse conditions within the area, from the Mediterranean environment in the South to the cold Alpine climate at the edge of the Dolomites. Thus, heterogeneous soil and numerous micro-climates guarantee the most diverse conditions for wine-growing, and are the foundation for the cultivation of many different excellent red and white grape varieties.