All year round, the winemaker takes care of the vines with the utmost care, and from September to October, the grapes are harvested, depending on the variety and ripeness. The white grape varieties from the lower areas are harvested first, and the heavy red wines are harvested last. Only the specially selected grapes for the so-called "ice wine" remain on the vines until the first real frost.
The harvest time is probably the most exhausting time of the year for South Tyrolean winegrowers, as it requires good timing and the right instinct. Good weather is also necessary, as too many rainy days during the harvest season can dilute the wine and cause the grapes to rot, resulting in significant losses. All the hard work and care of an entire year could be undone at the last moment.
For a good wine, the ripe grapes must be quickly harvested during dry periods and brought under cover. Then they are pressed, and the juice is pumped into fermentation barrels. During fermentation, the sugar in the grape juice turns into alcohol, creating wine. The fermentation process, under the constant control of the cellar master, lasts until December, when the young wine is transferred to other barrels and stored.
The quality of the wine depends on the care of the winemaker, the weather, and the skill of the cellar master. These three factors are also crucial to the excellent reputation of South Tyrolean wine, as the region not only benefits from favorable climate conditions, but also produces consistently high-quality wine with the necessary dedication and love.
Those who spend their holidays in South Tyrol at this time can experience the diligent work in the vineyards up close and may even participate in the harvest or pressing process. Later in the autumn, when the first young wine has matured, it's time for "Törggelen." This is when the "Siasse," or the must, and the "Nuier," the young wine, are enjoyed in a convivial atmosphere, accompanied by a typical Törggelen meal with bacon, smoked sausages, chestnuts, nuts, and doughnuts. Autumn is a time of enjoyment in South Tyrol!
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