Bolzano, Italy, June 17, 2025 -With the release on the US market of the 2024 vintage of many Alto Adige wines, the Consorzio Alto Adige Wines has recently gathered some interesting data about the vintage and its unique characteristics.
The overall 2024 vintage in Alto Adige presented considerable challenges for winegrowers, resulting in reduced yields in several areas. Yet, despite these difficulties, expectations for this vintage remain exceptionally high. The wines promise to be lighter, elegant, and distinctly modern, showcasing the region’s longstanding commitment to quality.
A Year Marked by Weather ExtremesWeather data confirm that 2024 was one of the most challenging growing seasons in recent memory. An unusually mild winter gave way to an early bud break around March 20, but this was soon followed by a sharp frost a month later, causing widespread damage across vineyards. The spring continued to test growers with cool, cloudy conditions that limited photosynthesis, leading to fewer grape clusters and smaller berry size.
“The lowest yields were recorded for Lagrein, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Grigio, while Schiava, Merlot, and Riesling were more resilient during flowering,” noted Hansjörg Hafner of Alto Adige’s Advisory Council for Fruit and Winegrowing. In Valle Isarco, Andreas Huber of Pacher Hof in Novacella near Bressanone, reported yield losses ranging from 15 to 70 percent, while Martin Lemayr, cellar master at Cantina Colterenzio, shared that some plots experienced total crop losses.
Challenging Year, Delayed Harvest
The meteorological challenges of 2024 meant that the harvest in Alto Adige took place later than usual, with frequent interruptions due to rain. “The delay gave us a bit of breathing room,” said Huber with a smile. “It was a demanding year that required patience, flexibility, and constant vigilance in the vineyards.” In hail-affected areas, grapes were carefully sorted by hand to ensure only the best fruit made it to the cellar.
Frost and humidity added to the year’s challenges. Veronika Pfeifer of Pfannenstielhof in Bolzano confirmed the difficulties growers faced: “This vintage required not only precise and careful manual labor in the vineyard, but also flexibility and timely decision-making.”
Pinot Varieties ShineThanks to careful canopy management and rigorous sorting, grape quality remained high despite the volume losses. Pinot varieties—particularly Pinot Nero—stood out, reaching ideal ripeness and health. Martin Lemayr's assessment of the Pinot Nero from the 2024 vintage was therefore correspondingly positive:"It is characterised by fresh fruit aromas such as raspberry and sour cherry and has a very clear, bright and luminous colour. The wines are lower in residual sugar and show great freshness, elegance, and a fine tannin structure.”
On the other hand, late-ripening, tannin-rich reds faced the greatest challenges. Achieving full maturity required impeccable timing and exceptional care during harvest. “Some 2024 special Reserves were not produced this year, as only a few vineyards reached full ripeness,” Lemayr added.
Focus on Native GrapesAmong Alto Adige’s native reds, Schiava wines performed relatively well, showing slightly lower alcohol levels than in previous years. Veronika Pfeifer summarized the vintage’s profile as “fresh, fruity, and fine.” The region’s second most important native red variety, Lagrein, was more affected by adverse weather conditions—particularly frost and poor flowering—which led to somewhat reduced yields. Still, Pfeifer described the wines as “harmonious, smooth, and velvety.”
White Wines Benefit from Cool Conditions: Fresh Fruit and Finesse In contrast to reds, Alto Adige’s whites appear to have benefited from the season’s cooler conditions. “Cool September weather enhanced flavor development, resulting in freshness, fruit and finesse,” said Andreas Huber. Noble rot and damp weather contributed to exceptional quality, especially for Riesling, Kerner, and Sylvaner from Valle Isarco. “We are very confident about the 2024 vintage”, Huber added, “Low yields and extended ripening laid the foundation for wines with exceptional finesse and aging potential.”
Lemayr echoed this optimism: “Whites like Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc reveal fine, fresh fruit and an elegant, delicate structure. Aromatic varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc show precise, cool, slightly greenish aromas and a well-integrated, balanced acidity. Lower alcohol levels make these wines even more approachable and enjoyable.”
About The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines
The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines was formed in 2007 to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. One of Italy’s smallest wine-producing regions, Alto Adige is also one of its most multifaceted. Twenty grape varieties are cultivated on vineyards stretching from Mediterranean-influenced valleys to Alpine hillsides, tended by individual growers, small family-wineries, and cooperatives alike.
For More Information:
Learn More
Stay Informed, Stay Competitive
Unlock the articles, expert interviews, and data reports that power the food and beverage industry. Join our community and stay ahead with exclusive insights from BevNET and Nosh.