At gourmet hotel Der Weinmesser in Scena, the first wine hotel in South Tyrol, you will find superb wine-related treatments and events and gain interesting insight into the art of wine-making. The area around Merano in South Tyrol is a great location for wine events, therapies and wellness treatments – Hotel Der Weinmesser is all about getting the best out of wine!

Wine production
In South Tyrol the grape harvest takes place from the beginning of September to mid-October. All grapes are carefully scrutinised and are only selected for wine production if they are of the highest quality. In white wine or rosé wine making, the grapes are immediately crushed and the juice is fermented separate from the skin, pulp, seeds and stems. The pomace, the solid remains of the grapes, is used for a variety of wellness and cosmetic treatments.
Contrary to white wines and rosé wines, red wines are fermented together with the skins, which is why they acquire a different colour in the process. Most of the local white wines and the South Tyrolean Vernatsch wine are stored in large wooden barrels and steel tanks, while some white wines and stronger red wines can be stored for much longer periods in wooden barrels or barrique barrels.

A variety of wines
The kinds of wines produced in South Tyrol are as varied and eclectic as the region’s scenery. The most renowned wines are Vernatsch, South Tyrol’s most reputable red wine, the delicious Gewürztraminer wine and the classic, internationally known Lagrein. On average, South Tyrol produced approx. 350,000 hectolitres of wine, 55 per cent of which are red wines.

For many centuries, the region of South Tyrol has also been producing most important classic grape varieties such as Blauburgunder, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

60 per cent of white wines produced in South Tyrol are Ruländer/Pinot grigio, Weißburgunder and Chardonnay. However, also be sure to try lesser known, fruity and fresh white wines with a lot of character such as Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Sauvignon, Veltliner and Kerner.

Sparkling wine (called “Sekt“) is made from the three grape varieties Chardonnay, Weißburgunder and Blauburgunder, which all carry the Italian DOC (controlled term of origin) label. More than 150,000 bottles of sparkling wine are produced in South Tyrol every year.

Certifications
In 1970, the first South Tyrolean wines were awarded the DOC certification, which testifies to the quality and origin of the wines, a hugely significant accolade in Italian wine-making. Today, almost 99 percent of all South Tyrolean vineyards carry this denomination, a number not achieved anywhere else in all of Italy.

Exhibition vineyard
An exhibition vineyard right next to the hotel is currently under construction and should be one of the major highlights of a stay at hotel Der Weinmesser. We will provide exciting tours of the vineyard where you can gain fascinating insight into the process of wine making in South Tyrol. The area can also be used to relax and meditate, surrounded by Mediterranean olive trees and beautiful vines.