Juvaler Frühling (Juval Spring Festival)

Celebrating spring on the Juval hill

The Juvaler Frühling — or Juval Spring Festival — is the event that kicks off the season on the picturesque Juval hill (Burghügel Juval), in the municipality of Castelbello-Ciardes/Kastelbell-Tschars, in the Vinschgau Valley, province of Bolzano/Bozen (South Tyrol). For one spring Sunday, the hill's farmsteads, wineries, and local producers throw open their doors, welcoming visitors with an open-air tasting trail framed by terraced vineyards and the imposing Juval Castle, the famous residence of mountaineer Reinhold Messner.

A journey through farms, wineries, and flavors

The day unfolds as an itinerary across various stations, each offering its own specialty. The event tradition features the participation of local producers, including:

• Tenuta Unterortl – Castel Juval: tasting of house wines and spirits;
• Weingut Oberschlossbauer: wine tastings and sales, featuring grilled specialties;
• Sonnenhof: the classic Brettlmarende (platter of local products) paired with farm-made wine;
• Schlossbauer: homemade gastronomic specialties;
• Vinschger Bauernladen: tasting of typical valley products, with music and a bistro;
• a presentation by the Juvaler Herz-Jesu-Fuirer, a group linked to the tradition of the Sacred Heart fires;
• the rabbit breeders' association (Kaninchenzuchtverein Burggrafenamt), with an exhibition of prized breeds.

Culture and panoramic views

During the event, the Messner Mountain Museum Juval, housed within the castle, remains open to visitors: a perfect opportunity to combine tastings with the discovery of the museum dedicated to the myth of the mountains. The Juval hill, a meeting point between the Vinschgau and Senales valleys, offers an open panorama over the orchards and vineyards of one of the sunniest corners of South Tyrol.

A traditional Vinschgau appointment

The Juval Spring Festival is now a staple of the spring calendar in Castelbello-Ciardes, beloved by both residents and hikers. It represents an authentic way to experience the rural culture of the Vinschgau, support small local producers, and savor local food and wine in a setting of rare natural beauty.