The European Chronicles 2025.14 - The Ride & Spit Tour
2 Wineries + 2 Passes = Lots of Fun
We're in the Alto Adige, Italy's northern-most wine region, with vineyards all up and down the mountains. Like our experience last year in Valdobbiadene, this presented an opportunity to taste the local wine, most of which does not make it to the US.
First stop is the Nals Margreid Winery, just north and west of Bolzano.
Mia comes out of the Bat Cave
There are many, many wineries in the area, including this one: Kellerei Bozen, we've had their wine, very good...next time...
Apple orchards too.
Just take a little off the sides... 😂
The Nals Margreid Winery is a beautiful structure, high on a hill.
Some barrel cleaning...
Their vineyards, scattered in the hills, are shown on the map below. Like many Italian wineries, this is a cooperative - there are 138 wine growing families, cultivating 160 hectares of vineyards, just under 400 acres. There are 14 specific areas, each between 2 and 12 hectares in size (5 - 30 acres). The original estate was built in 1764, and the Nals winery was founded in 1932 with 34 members.
Classing up the place... 😂
We tasted - and spit - four whites and four reds, all excellent. The local red, Lagrein, is well represented here; we bought 2 bottles of the Reserve:
Nals Margreid Gries Riserva
Just as a comparison, 66 euro for 2 bottles, no charge for the tasting. Incredible.
Our booty safely stowed in Mia's right pannier, it was time for Passo di Palade.
Palade is not that high at 1518 meters or about 5000 feet, but pretty, with little traffic. As you head down, you work your way to Mendola.
And you start to climb again...
Fork Left...
Mendola has a very interesting balcony section...perhaps is should be named "The Walls of Mendola."
At our second winery...how could we not visit????
St. Michael Winery
Another cooperative. Founded in 1907, it is now comprised of 320 wine making families cultivating 390 hectare of vineyards. It was cooperative winery of the year in 2021.
This time we focus on white, specifically Pinot Bianco. They have several varieties, we try most of them and settle on the Sanct Valentin.
Excellent...we fit one bottle into Mia, 28 euro, tastings were free. Once again demonstrating that local wine in Europe is a screaming value, even with the current dollar weakness.
An interesting display...vineyards on the map, and each has a corresponding drawer that contains a soil sample.
Getting ready to storm again...time to head back to Bemelmans with our booty...
JAM...Just Another Maserati...
Rain started to fall as we got back...perfect timing and a wonderful day!
Ciao!
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