TrentoDOC - Vallagarina
Essentially the Adige valley from the south of Trento to the border with the Veneto and more precisely the gorge between Monte Baldo and the Lessinia mountains. Glacial moraines make up the valley floor where Chardonnay is grown in mostly calcareous morainic soils but as you climb the valley hillside you get into more homogeneous soils, alluvial fans and then colluvial soils built of porphyric debris with traces of basalt on the western side of the valley. Here altitude plays a strong role in determining wine styles, but even more importantly is the exposition of the vineyards and the limiting effect of the mountains on accumulated sunlight.
Map of the Vallagarina looking South from below Trento
Western facing vineyards on the eastern hillsides have sun into the late afternoon but those closer to the valley floor have notably fewer hours than those at higher elevations. On the other hand vineyards on the western side of the valley oriented towards the east have more early morning sun and limited late afternoon sunlight.
Another factor affecting the climate here are the daily Ora winds which rise from lake Garda, flowing northward, pulling warm air from the Po Plain to the south up through the Vallagarina. While the region is separated from lake Garda by the 1800 meter (6000 feet) tall Monte Baldo, there is a moderating lake effect felt throughout the region, and in fact this is the northernmost region of Italy where olive cultivation is possible with an scale. Significant diurnal shift with highs among the highest in the region and typical lows make this a region for generally richer wines, though at elevation the effect of this warmth is mitigated. The growing season here is also a bit longer than most in Trentino, starting a few days earlier and ending a few days later, particularly in the stretch of valley from Mori to Rovereto.
Producers of the Vallagarina
Cantina Mori Colli Zugana
Marco Tonini
Cantina d’Isera
Conti Bossi Fedrigotti
Simoncelli Armando
Balter
Vivalis
Concilio
Concilio
Pedrotti
Borgo dei Posseri
Viticoltori in Avio
Letrari
Another factor affecting the climate here are the daily Ora winds which rise from lake Garda, flowing northward, pulling warm air from the Po Plain to the south up through the Vallagarina. While the region is separated from lake Garda by the 1800 meter (6000 feet) tall Monte Baldo, there is a moderating lake effect felt throughout the region, and in fact this is the northernmost region of Italy where olive cultivation is possible with an scale. Significant diurnal shift with highs among the highest in the region and typical lows make this a region for generally richer wines, though at elevation the effect of this warmth is mitigated. The growing season here is also a bit longer than most in Trentino, starting a few days earlier and ending a few days later, particularly in the stretch of valley from Mori to Rovereto.
Producers of the Vallagarina
Cantina Mori Colli Zugana
Marco Tonini
Cantina d’Isera
Conti Bossi Fedrigotti
Simoncelli Armando
Balter
Vivalis
Concilio
Concilio
Pedrotti
Borgo dei Posseri
Viticoltori in Avio
Letrari