According to their maturity and type, the grapes are harvested in autumn between September and October
The grape harvest in the vineyard is the most exhausting time for the winegrowers. Due to the fact that too many rainy days during the harvest period lead to huge losses - the grapes start decomposing and the sugar content declines - it is very important that the mature grapes are harvested as fast as possible in a rather dry period. Afterwards they are immediately transported to one of the wine cellars or into the own wine cellar.
The vintage, a process called “Wimmen” in South Tyrol, can be done in the traditional way, that’s to say manually, or mechanically, by a so-called harvester machine. Usually South Tyrol’s winegrowers prefer the former, in order to select once again only the particularly mature grapes. They are used to produce the famous high quality wines.
Around the grape harvest in Caldaro and Termeno, many traditional events are organised. From the “Autumn Days” in Termeno which invite to try the new wine, to the “Wine and Cuisine” festival in Caldaro at the beginning of October which offers the best wines of Caldaro as well as autumn dishes, there are many possibilities to celebrate the exquisite wines in the south of South Tyrol!