THE GRAPES OF SOUTH TYROL
Steep slopes, fertile soils, plenty of sunshine – the conditions between the Eisack Valley and the Unterland are unique and ensure that South Tyrol’s wines are among the best in the world. In June, guests at the Schgaguler Hotel explore the region with sommelier Sandra Schgaguler
Hamburg/Kastelruth, 28 April 2026 – Vines have been cultivated here for more than 2,500 years: South Tyrol has produced some great winemakers, and many a Lagrein, Gewürztraminer or Chardonnay can be found on the wine lists of the finest restaurants from New York to Tokyo. So far, so good – and well known among wine lovers. Things get exciting when sommelier Sandra Schgaguler takes guests from the Schgaguler Hotel on a journey of discovery: together, they visit wineries with centuries of history and the stars of tomorrow. They meet winemakers who speak lovingly of their terroir and produce exceptional wines with passion.
When Sandra Schgaguler talks about wine, it sounds like poetry. There is rarely any mention of yeasts, stainless steel tanks or barriques, although the qualified sommelière naturally possesses the expertise regarding grape varieties and soils and has a masterful command of the full range of cellar techniques. But she prefers to talk about the people behind the wines. About the different vineyards around her home town of Kastelruth at the foot of the Seiser Alm. About the artists who design the labels. About the vineyards in this unique landscape, about 110-year-old vines and traditional estates whose history dates back to the 14th century. And when she describes the wines, she does not use the wine connoisseur’s vocabulary of leather, tobacco and stables, but rather picturesque words that that bring to life the landscapes where Vernatsch and Pinot Blanc thrive. With words that spark curiosity about the winemakers who craft these wines into little works of art.
From 13 to 17 June 2026, she will take her guests to selected wineries in the wine-growing regions around the Schlern, in Eppan and in the Eisack Valley.
The Schgaguler Hotel has won numerous awards for its design. Its superb cuisine combines South Tyrolean and Italian specialities, and the spa, complete with a pool and saunas, offers the perfect place to unwind after a day of hiking and wine tasting – just like the elegant rooms, with their clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the mighty Schlern, one of the kings of the Dolomites.
