SANTA MARGHERITA DI ALA (Province of Trento) The winter was quite mild. The vegetative cycle of the vines started early in springtime (due to the mild weather during the winter). There was not much rain during the springtime and during the summer. The veraison (the phase during which the berries change colour) started early and consequently the harvest was also early.

Tiziano Tommasi – Azienda La Cadalora (Vallagarina IGT – Rosso, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Sauvignon Blanc): ”..we started the harvest with Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc on the 25th of August followed by Sauvignon Blanc and by Gewürztraminer. The harvest of the red grape varieties was normal (not early as for the whites): we started in mid September and we finished at the end of the month. The white wines have a good alcohol strength which is very well balanced with the acidity. They are full in the mouth, well structured, flavourful and with a good freshness. The wines all have a very good typicality, Pinot Grigio has notes of William pear, Chardonnay has notes of tropical fruit. Fruity and warm notes prevail on the floral notes. The reds have an excellent colour, with an excellent content of polyphenols. The white and red wines, due to their structure, their low pH and their good acidity, are all suitable for long ageing. 2015 can be considered one of the best vintages of the last 10-15 years…..”

VARNA (Province of Bolzano): In this area, Valle d’Isarco, there were rains in July and in August although it was dry in the other areas of Alto Adige. This was very favourable for the production of white wines.

Günther Kerschbaumer – Tenuta Köfererhof (Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOC, Gewürztraminer, Kerner, Müller Thurgau, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Silvaner, Veltliner): “…the 2015 vintage is very good, we are happy…The grape yield is a bit lower as we had hail on the 8th of July. Luckily the quality of the grapes was not affected. The quality of the grapes at harvest was excellent. The harvest started ten days earlier than usual, on the 19th of September, with Müller Thurgau and Kerner and finished, also ten days earlier than usual, with Riesling on the 22nd of October. The fermentation of the wines proceeded well. The wines have a good alcohol strength, good acidity, they are full in the mouth. It is still early to evaluate them, we will have a better idea after the winter, but, as mentioned before, 2015 is certainly a good vintage…..”

NATURNS (Province of Bolzano): It was good weather and dry from April till October.

Azienda Agricola Falkenstein (Alto Adige Val Venosta DOC, Riesling, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Pinot Nero): “..2015 is a good vintage. The grapes were beautiful, ripe and with a good acidity. We started picking at the beginning of September and we finished the harvest on the 6-7th of October. The harvest was about 14 days early this year. The fermentation of the must proceeded well for all wines. I am happy and the forecast for the 2015 wines is excellent. We produced the whole range of wines. 2015 is similar to 2007, 2009, 2012 that were also early vintages….”

SAN GIACOMO/LAIVES (Province of Bolzano): It rained very little in this zone in 2015. The temperature was high during the summer. Luckily the vines are irrigated with a drip irrigation system so that the plants did not suffer from hydric stress.

Roman Mottironi of Azienda Agricola Putzenhof (Alto Adige Bozner Leiten DOC, Alto Adige DOC, Chardonnay, Lagrein, Pinot Nero, Sauvignon, Kerner): “ we started picking on the 20th of September and we finished on the 10th of October. The grapes were healthy. We control the vigour of the vines with irrigation. The grape yield was average, 8-10 tons/hectare. The alcoholic fermentation of the wines proceeded well. The wines have good mineral notes and a good acidity….2015 is a good vintage…..”