Rieslingtage Naturns / Riesling Days of Naturno

Riesling Days in Naturno

The Riesling Days (known in German as Rieslingtage Naturns) are one of the most iconic wine events in South Tyrol. Held in the municipality of Naturno (Naturns), in the heart of the Vinschgau Valley near Bolzano, the festival celebrates one of the most noble and appreciated white grape varieties, which has become an integral part of South Tyrolean wine culture, particularly in the areas around Merano and the Eisack Valley.

The National Riesling Competition

The heart of the event is the National Riesling Competition, which has held around twenty editions since its inception in 2006. A jury of South Tyrolean, Italian, and international experts, including sommeliers and oenologists, blind-tastes and evaluates Rieslings from a specific vintage, focusing on maximum quality and varietal typicity. The technical direction of the competition is led by Ulrich Pedri of the Laimburg Research Centre.

Numerous wineries from various Italian regions participate in the competition: recent editions have featured dozens of labels from six different regions, from South Tyrol to Molise, demonstrating how Italian Riesling is growing in quality and popularity far beyond South Tyrolean borders.

From Tasting to Award Ceremony

The event takes place in two distinct stages throughout the year. The jury tasting is held in Naturno during the summer, while the award ceremony for the best national Riesling takes place in the autumn as part of the Merano WineFestival, one of Italy's most prestigious wine events hosted at the Kurhaus in Merano.

A Land Suited for White Wine

Naturno and the Vinschgau Valley offer ideal climatic conditions for Riesling: significant temperature fluctuations, stony soils, and a sunny microclimate that produces wines of great finesse, mineral tension, and longevity. The Riesling Days are thus part of a broader context of mountain wine tourism, which in autumn also culminates in the Naturno Gourmet Autumn, featuring themed menus, tastings, and events dedicated to local gastronomy.

For wine lovers, the Riesling Days represent a unique opportunity to discover the excellence of South Tyrolean white wines and to experience the authentic atmosphere of a mountain village in the province of Bolzano, in the Trentino-South Tyrol region.