A tribute to the wine culture of Alto Adige, but above all the celebration of a great wine, a perfect red for the summer season that has officially begun: last Tuesday 10 June, the vigilius mountain resort, a certified eco-hotel and 5-star design at 1500 metres above sea level on Monte San Vigilio above Lana (BZ), was the stage for the Schiava Trophy 2025. Like every year, the excellence of Alto Adige wine took to the stage in the exclusive location of Monte San Vigilio: on the occasion, wine lovers and experts met to award the best labels, including the Vernatsch of the year, reaffirming the importance of a wine that represents a true cultural heritage of Alto Adige.
The Schiava Trophy: a tribute to the wine culture of Alto Adige
Born from an idea by Ulrich Ladurner, owner of vigilius mountain resort, Günther Hölzl, wine merchant from Merano, and Othmar Kiem, food and wine journalist, for over 20 years the Schiava Trophy has hosted an international jury composed of specialized experts who reward the best Vernatsch, but also enthusiasts who want to taste fine wines while admiring the gentle mountain landscape of the Dolomites.
A type of Alto Adige grape native and indigenous to the land for over 1,000 years, the Schiava variety gives life to uncomplicated and “drinkable” wines, with a rather light red color and light notes: the low concentration of tannin not only makes it pleasantly delicate and fruity, but places it among the red wines with the lowest acidity value.
The awarded labels: Vernatsch of the year 2025
The title of “Vernatsch of the year 2025” was awarded to Marie Alto Adige St. Magdalener Classico Doc 2024 Fliederhof and Antheos Alto Adige St. Magdalener Classico Doc 2023 Ansitz Waldgries.
The zone winners for the “Classic” category were Scheinheilig Alto Adige Lago di Caldaro Classico Superiore Doc 2024 Seeperle, Meranerin Alto Adige Meranese Doc 2024 Popphof, Grauvernatsch Alto Adige Doc 2024 Cantina Kurtatsch and Marie Alto Adige St. Magdalener Classico Doc 2024 Fliederhof.
The “Selection” category was awarded to Antheos Alto Adige St. Magdalener Classico Doc 2023 Ansitz Waldgries, Gschleier Alto Adige Vernatsch Vecchie Viti Doc 2023 Cantina Girlan, Moar Alto Adige St. Magdalener Doc 2023 Cantina Bolzano and Isarcus Alto Adige St. Magdalener Classico Doc 2023 Griesbauer.
Finally, a special mention went to Isarcus Alto Adige St. Magdalener Classico Doc 2023 Griesbauer, the public’s favorite.
