Autumn in South Tyrol means a season full of culinary delights
During autumn in South Tyrol, the leaves turn golden yellow and orange, the sun is lower in the sky and the landscape turns into a bright and warm sea of colours. In the autumn season, the sun still shines in abundance but the nights get cooler, making autumn the best time in South Tyrol for a refreshing walk, a bike ride or just to enjoy the sunshine.
In the vineyards, it is the busiest season of the year, as the grapes are ready to be harvested. It is also the time of festivities surrounding the return of the lavishly decorated cattle after a summer on the alpine pastures. The animals are welcomed in the villages with traditional feasts.
Autumn also sees the start of the much-loved Törggelen season in South Tyrol. South Tyrolean farmers open the doors of their traditional farm or Buschenschank and serve homemade culinary delights, paired with the new wine.
Chestnuts and Törggelen
South Tyrol's chestnuts mean as much autumn to locals as colourful forests and new wine. These chestnuts are also the main ingredient for, what locals call the fifth season, Törggelen.
The season for Törggelen starts at the beginning of October and ends at the end of November. During this period, the chestnuts are ripe and ready to be prepared. In the Törggelen activity, you walk a route through the beautiful nature of South Tyrol after which you settle down on the terrace of a connected ''buschenschank'' for the most amazing traditional dishes and homemade wine. Some of these typical dishes include Kaminwurzen (sausage), Speck and Schüttelbrot (hard bread), Schlutzkrapfen (similar to ravioli) and dumplings or meat as a main course. Beautiful environments for Törggelen are the Seiser Alm, the Marlinger Höhenweg and the Waalweg Trails, here you will find the best stops. You can find all affiliated farms via this link, reservations are required.
Besides this activity, there are other festivities taking place around chestnuts. For instance, from 14 October to 6 November, chestnut weeks take place. During these weeks, all kinds of activities are planned around learning about and tasting the chestnuts of South Tyrol. There is also a special chestnut trail where you will learn all about chestnuts.
Would you like to make one of South Tyrol's most famous chestnut dishes yourself? Then find the recipe here.
Apples
Besides chestnuts, apples are the region's great pride. There are more than 7,000 farmers growing apples in South Tyrol. If you want to buy a South Tyrol apple, pay attention to the marking ''PGI'' which means ''Protected Geographical Indication''. This guarantees the quality and place of origin of the fruit. All kinds of apples are grown in South Tyrol, such as Elstar, Jonagold and pink lady.
When in South Tyrol, you can visit apple growers. There are several apple farmers who open their farms for tours and guided tours. Learn all about growing the apples and the journey they take after harvesting. You will also find the most fun tours here.
It is also possible to stay overnight on an apple farm. At the ''farm-hotel'' you sleep and stay among the apple trees, meadows and mountains.
Finally, various events take place around the presentation of the first apples and the apple festival in October.
Wine
Spoilt by the Mediterranean sun, shaped by the Alpine environment, prepared by experienced winemakers and loved by wine drinkers around the world, that is wine from South Tyrol.
A new themed trail has been developed where you will learn all about South Tyrol's wine culture and wine history. You walk along the Val Venosta wine trail, which is accessible from Easter until November. On the trail, you will learn about local grapes, the landscape and culinary specialities via information boards.
South Tyrol's secret royal among wines is the Pinot Noir. This wine has an intense aroma of red and dark berries, the scents of cloves and violets and a soft, elegant fullness. A new educational trail, the Pinot Noir Trail, has been developed in southern South Tyrol where you will learn all about the culture and the wines produced.
You can now stay in a typical wine hotel, who wouldn't want that? The special South Tyrol Vinum Hotels are all about local wine, the ancient cultural environment and the wine region.
Other culinary events
Finally, other culinary events and festivals take place in South Tyrol:
Culinary Festival Völser Kuchlkastl
Precious moments in UNESCO World Heritage Site the Dolomites
Wildlife & forests, Eggental
Wine festival
South Tyrol's bread and strudel market
About South Tyrol
South Tyrol is Italy's northernmost province and lies on the southern side of the Alps. The mountains in this area are known as the Dolomites. It is sunny as many as 300 days a year, making it the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Culinary delights are certainly possible in this area, which has the highest density of Michelin stars per square kilometre in Italy. South Tyrol's rich and turbulent history means there is much to visit and admire culturally. For more information on South Tyrol, visit https://www.suedtirol.info/nl
