The 2024 wine-growing year began with an exceptionally wet spring – the wettest since 1965. The cool and humid weather conditions persisted until May and early June. The result was delayed flowering and, in the case of some grape varieties, coulure, i.e. clusters with reduced numbers of developing grapes. This translated into reductions in yield of between 15 and 40 percent, with the Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc and Lagrein particularly affected.

July was a month of frequent thunderstorms, while the weather in August was dry and warm. These conditions lasted until the beginning of September, but temperatures then dropped significantly around the middle of the month. This considerably slowed grape ripening and made it challenging for the late-ripening red varieties to reach full maturity.

In such a demanding year, prime exposed sites have proven to be particularly advantageous. The weather conditions required a lot of work, commitment and expertise on the part of our winegrowers. But their dedication has paid off:

The 2024 vintage is looking promising!

Cool storage at constant temperatures, high level of humidity and as little light as possible
Cellar temperature: 10 - 15 °C
Excellent ageing potential > 10 years

The vineyards are located at between 250 and 900 meters above sea-level on a bed of striking red porphyry, an igneous rock with large mineral inclusions known as quartz porphyry in geological terminology. This terroir is home to salty wines with a fine tension to intrigue the palate plus outstanding longevity. The south-facing slopes receive maximum sunshine. Under these almost Mediterranean conditions, a wide range of grape varieties flourish, while in Terlano itself various Mediterranean plants like olive, pomegranate, cypress and almond trees are to be found. The warm days and cool nights of the ripening period are the key to a high sugar content, intensive aromatics and the typical Alpine freshness of the wines.
In addition to “Alto Adige DOC” as the geographic designation of origin for Alto Adige, the wines are additionally labeled “Terlano” in recognition of the specific climatic and geological character of the terroir. The term “Terlaner classico” is used for those grape varieties that grow in the traditional wine-growing area between Andriano, Nalles and Terlano.

The high peaks of the main Alpine chain protect South Tyrol from the Atlantic winds and cold northerlies, while the region benefits from the Mediterranean climate from the south. That explains the pronounced differences between day- and night-time temperatures, which are the key to full maturity and elegant wines.
To the south, a number of mountain massifs like the Adamello also have a protective function. As a result, annual precipitation is only about one-third of the average for the southern Alpine foothills, and the number of hours of sunshine is higher. The climatic conditions are not unlike those to be found in wine-growing areas like the Swiss Canton Valais.
When the sun rises behind the mountains east of Terlano on one of the year’s 300 sunny days, it is already high in the sky as the wine-growing area has a westerly to southwesterly exposure. The lower atmospheric density permits more direct solar irradiation with less diffuse sunlight.
That increases the difference between the slopes on the sunny and shady sides of the valley.

Microclimate in Terlano
Continental climate (Cfa Köppen-Geiger)

Annual sunshine hours: ø 2135
Maximum temperatures: 38,2 °C
Average temperatures: 12,9 °C
Minimum temperatures: -10,7 °C
Annual precipitation: ø 558 mm
Average global radiation: 150,1 W/m²
Winds:
- North foehn: cool and dry down-slope wind
- Ora: valley wind system from the south, bringing in air from the Po Valley