The main reason for visiting South Tyrol was to have the best home base to visit the Dolomites, but when looking further into what else the region had to offer, it was apparent that South Tyrol, or Alto Adige, too, had great wine to try.
While exploring hotels and wineries near Bolzano and Lana, I stumbled upon Kränzelhof which not only looked beautiful through their web imagery, but as a brand, valued art and organically farmed vineyards. After settling down in Bolzano in the evening and checking into Parkhotel Mondschein, we drove to the property just before closing time.
Parking was simple and upon entering, you will also see the entrance for their restaurant, called Miil. They specialize in seasonal cuisine from the region and offer lunch and dinner.
The tasting was very personal, with light snacks on the side. Our sommelier gave us each a glass of similar, but different wines and asked us to swap for each round. We doubled are tastings that way. We then were asked to share what we sensed and what we liked or disliked about it. Taylor is great at this, especially with his experience in the restaurant industry. Me, not so much. It’s hard to identify what I’m tasting sometimes, but I do know the differences between glasses. I sometimes can’t put it into words.
We were able to try all the wines in their line up, and while all named something very unique, many inspired by astrology, we opted to take home a wine dubbed “Pomona” which is a blend of the grapes muscaris and souvignier gris which we loved for its juiciness, freshness, and bite. The best part was the hints of grapefruit and lemon, while still being a tad spicy on the palette. We later ended up drinking this on the shores of Sardinia.
After the tasting, we were given time to walk around the gardens and look at the pieces of art displayed throughout. Each was unique. The combination of art, food, and wine was unlike most vineyard experiences I’ve had.
I’d also like to note that the types of art and exhibits that were displayed were very abstract and figurative. It felt mystical and enchanting, while sometimes a bit supernatural and ominous. I think being surrounded by the rolling hills and the overcast, shady and cool weather attributed to this magical feeling.
While there are countless vinothek options in South Tyrol, I would definitely recommend stopping by for a bottle, meal, or tasting at Kränzelhof. This is especially true for not just wine lovers, but art connoisseurs. The property alone is magical with amazing distant views. The staff was friendly and it was nice to go through the many gardens at your own pace. We ended the night with pizza nearby and enjoyed the bottle we purchased on our other nights spent in Italy.
