Terlaner Spargelzeit (Terlano Asparagus Season)

The season of Terlano's white gold

Every spring, the municipality of Terlano (Terlan), located in the province of Bolzano in the heart of South Tyrol, celebrates its most precious product: the white Margarete asparagus. The Terlaner Spargelzeit is not just a single village festival but a true gastronomic season spanning about two months, from late March to late May, when the vegetable is harvested fresh daily in the fields of the so-called "asparagus triangle".

The asparagus triangle

Cultivation is concentrated in three locations within the municipal territory: Terlano, Vilpiano (Vilpian), and Settequerce (Siebeneich). Here, about fifteen producers grow roughly ten hectares of high-quality asparagus on sandy soils that are particularly well-suited for this crop. The Margarete asparagus, protected by the South Tyrol quality label, owes its name to Margarete Maultasch, the ancient princess of Tyrol, and is prized for its delicate taste and elegant appearance.

Dining at the eight restaurants

At the heart of the initiative are the eight asparagus restaurants of Terlano, which dedicate their menus to this specialty throughout the season: Oberspeiser, Pizzeria Oberhauser, Pizzeria Egger, Sudtirolese Inn Apollonia, Hotel Restaurant Sparerhof, Zum Hirschen, Inn Restaurant Jäger, and Patauner. The traditional recipe pairs asparagus with raw ham, boiled potatoes, and Bolzano sauce, though more creative reinterpretations are also available. The ideal accompaniment is the Terlano Sauvignon Asparagus, a Sauvignon Blanc bottled specifically by the Cantina Terlano.

Experiences, tradition, and the Asparagus Queen

A rich program of experiences revolves around the table: guided field visits with farmers, walking and cycling tours through the crops, and cooking classes to learn how to prepare asparagus strudel, as well as cellar tastings. The product's ambassador is the Terlano Asparagus Queen, crowned every two years at the opening of the season. A highlight is the Asparagus Festival organized by the Terlano music band on the last Sunday of April. The event is promoted by the Terlano Tourist Board together with the local HGV group and represents one of the most iconic food and wine events in South Tyrol.