WeinKulturWochen / Wine Culture Weeks

The Wine Culture Weeks of San Paolo

The WeinKulturWochen (Wine Culture Weeks) are among the most refined food and wine events in South Tyrol. They take place every summer in San Paolo (St. Pauls in German), the most picturesque hamlet in the municipality of Appiano sulla strada del vino (Eppan an der Weinstraße), in the province of Bolzano, at the heart of the largest wine-growing area in the entire Trentino-Alto Adige region. For two weeks, the village becomes a sprawling stage dedicated to wine, culture, and South Tyrolean hospitality.

One of the most beautiful wine villages in South Tyrol

San Paolo is one of the most traditional wine villages in southern South Tyrol, recognizable from afar by its majestic late-Gothic parish church, nicknamed the "Cathedral on the Wine Road." Its picturesque alleys, rustic cellars, and romantic courtyards provide the perfect backdrop for an event that blends high-quality oenology with historical and artistic heritage. The village is surrounded by the vineyards of Appiano, which, with over a thousand hectares of vines, is the largest wine-growing municipality in the region.

The Program

The Wine Culture Weeks calendar offers a rich tapestry of events every year:

• Wine Promenade (Weinpromenade): the opening night featuring a brass band parade, winemakers offering tastings, and food stalls along the alleys;
• Concert evenings and live musical entertainment;
• Guided tastings and in-depth meetings on South Tyrolean grape varieties;
• Introductory sommelier courses, conferences, and themed evenings;
• Exhibitions and vernissages in various village venues;
• Dumpling Night (Knödelnacht), featuring traditional South Tyrolean specialties paired with Appiano wines and folk music;
• Pauls Rosé Evening, in the village pedestrian zone, dedicated to rosé wines with live music and family entertainment.

The Gastliche Tafel

The highlight is the Gastliche Tafel ("the convivial table in the alleys of San Paolo"): an elegantly set table over 120 meters long that winds through the historic village houses. The dinner, of high gastronomic quality and paired with local wines, is curated by a local Michelin-starred chef. Seats are extremely limited and the event regularly sells out weeks in advance: booking through the Appiano Tourist Office is essential.

Useful Information

The event is organized by the Appiano Tourist Office (Tourismusverein Eppan). Many events have free admission, while the most exclusive gastronomic evenings require reservations and tickets. San Paolo is easily accessible from Bolzano and the South Tyrolean Wine Road.