Terroir

Vineyards

A special feature of Terlano is the small-plot structure of the vineyards. That is an advantage in terms of targeted vineyard management.
The very high proportion of steep sites necessitates more manual work but it is also the basis of the great potential of the Terlano sites.
The focus is on cultivating as many vigorous old vines as possible, so that the potential
of the sites achieves optimum expression in the wines.
Cultivation measures in keeping with the needs of the soils and the avoidance of herbicides are just two of the key elements for managing vines in harmony with nature in Terlano.

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    The vineyards on the steep slopes of Monte Tschöggl, home to the great Terlano wines, are located on the left side of the valley at altitudes between 250 and 900 meters above sea level. The grapes grown in Terlano today are 75 percent for white and 25 percent for red wine production. The big challenge with such a wide range of altitudes is doubtless the right choice of variety. Terlano has an enormous advantage in that the lower valley areas are reserved for apples, while grapes are only grown at the higher levels that are so advantageous for outstanding wines. Both red and white varieties are grown at 250-400 meters above sea-level, while the higher altitudes from 400 to 900 meters are the preserve of white wine.

    This terroir, with its highly distinctive character, is the product of a combination of volcanic soils and a very special microclimate. Over the centuries, the Terlano vines have adapted to these unique conditions. Through careful selection and propagation of the best vines, continual quality improvements have been made and the vines have developed their own distinctive character. In the case of the Sauvignon variety in particular, Terlano has selected its own clones, which have attracted great interest and acclaim worldwide.

    The value of time and a slow pace of work are leitmotifs of the philosophy of Cantina Terlano. This is not just about the unusual longevity of its white wines but also about the fact that on the steep slopes above Terlano wine has been grown for centuries and the vines have been carefully cultivated by the same farming families for generations. In our fast-moving times, such constancy and commitment to traditions are in themselves a great good fortune.

    The white wines from Terlano do not simply grow in very special, unique locations but – in the true sense of the word – are rooted there.