2002 will also be remembered as a warm year, even though the January was very cold and the heat of summer did not last very long. Thanks to above-average temperatures in the transitional months, however, the wines have an attractive tension and complexity. During the whole of the winter, Terlano was not once carpeted in snow. The combination of soils without a protective snow cover, the lack of precipitation since the end of the previous autumn and the long period of cold weather made it a difficult start to the year in the vineyards. It was not until February that a normal volume of rain was delivered. That also heralded a relatively positive pattern of spring weather. The vegetation emerged from its hibernation in the middle of March and, thanks to the warm temperatures, developed very quickly. Not even a late frost at the end of the month or the unsettled – but always warm – weather in April were a problem for the grapevines. The pronounced lack of moisture during spring was compensated by a large number of rainy days in May – as well as continually above-average temperatures – so that even the lower layers of soil received an adequate water supply. Summer arrived unexpectedly early, but the hot weather did not last very long and, after just thirty days, it seemed to be over by the end of June. Neither the July nor August were very summery, with several days of rain but only a limited amount of precipitation. The autumn began with some very warm and sunny days, but the temperatures dropped steeply toward the end of September, returning to the normal range for the time of year. Following a short period of rain, the October was a very good month for the harvest.

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 quartz porphyry bedrock is of volcanic origin.
• The light, sandy-loamy soils are the foundation for naturally limited yields.
• The soils have a 55-60% quartz content and a slightly acidic pH.
• The minerally and distinctive wines are highly prized for their outstanding longevity.

Soil samples taken from three different sites have revealed the presence of a subvolcanic body around Terlano, which differs in composition from the classic volcanic rock. The skeletal sandy loamy soils have a high quartz content. The absence of calcium carbonate explains the slightly acid pH values. These factors result in a high permeability to water, a limited nutrient supply and thus balanced growth with naturally limited yields. Exceptional soil conditions influence the terroir of Terlano, where the vines have developed a specific reaction to micro-stress and produce their own terroir-specific polyphenols, which give the Terlano wines their distinctive character. The result is particularly salty wines with great tension and depth. The special mix of crystals and minerals in the Terlano soils produces white wines whose unique longevity never fails to impress the world’s wine gurus.

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. Terlano has a remarkable microclimate, with pronounced differences in temperature between day and night caused by the cool downslope winds from the mountains.
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 600 - 700 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