J. Hofstaetter Wine Bar (Vineria Hofstaetter) ★ 4.6
12 by the glassTramin (Termeno) village centre
J. Hofstaetter's contemporary tasting room and wine bar sits beside the estate's wine shop on Tramin's main piazza. Estate-focused programme - Mazon Pinot Nero, Steinraffler Lagrein, Joseph Gewurztraminer and the full Hofstaetter range. Open most evenings; closed Sunday and Monday.
The list: Estate-only programme pouring J. Hofstaetter cuvees; Riserva Mazon Pinot Nero is the headline, alongside Joseph Gewurztraminer and Steinraffler Lagrein; by-the-glass verticals when stock allows
Tip: The Mazon-Mazzon Pinot Nero flight (current vintage plus two library bottles) is the signature - ask the team for the vertical.
Gasthaus Schwarzer Adler ★ 4.4
15 by the glassCaldaro/Kaltern village
Gasthaus Schwarzer Adler is one of the longest-running Caldaro/Kaltern village inns with a serious Kalterer Wine Road wine list. Schiava verticals are the house signature, alongside the Cantina Kaltern Riserva range and the Manincor biodynamic bottlings.
The list: Wine list focused on Caldaro producers (Cantina Kaltern, Manincor, Lieselehof); house emphasis on Kalterersee Schiava verticals and the Manincor biodynamic range
Tip: Pair the Schiava flight with the local trout and the Schlutzkrapfen. The kitchen runs an asparagus week in April-May.
Restaurant Patauner ★ 4.5
18 by the glassTerlan / Siebeneich (Settequerce)
Restaurant Patauner has run for over 100 years in the Patauner family, now in the third and fourth generation, in Terlan-Siebeneich. The Terlano Pinot Bianco depth is the strongest in the village; the asparagus weeks in April-May pair Terlaner Margarete asparagus with the Cantina Terlano range.
The list: Wine list focused on Cantina Terlano with verticals of the Vorberg Riserva Pinot Bianco and the Tradition range; secondary depth in Andrian and the wider Terlan zone
Tip: The Patauner Pinot Bianco flight (current Tradition plus a Vorberg vertical) is the bar's headline pour. Book the asparagus week in spring well ahead.
Forsterbraeu Merano ★ 4.3
18 by the glassMerano (Corso Liberta)
Forsterbraeu Merano runs since 1869 on Corso Liberta in central Merano - a classic Tyrolean stube with house-brewed Forst beer at one end of the menu and a serious South Tyrolean wine programme at the other. The Cantina Merano cellar door is a 10-minute drive uphill in Marlengo.
The list: South Tyrolean wine list with a Cantina Merano focus; by-the-glass Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and the Vinschgau Riesling selection from Falkenstein and Unterortl
Tip: Ask for the Vinschgau Riesling flight - Falkenstein and Unterortl bottlings from the high-altitude valley west of Merano are the regional signature.
Tree Brasserie ★ 4.3
16 by the glassMerano (Belvedere)
Tree Brasserie on Via Belvedere is a contemporary Merano kitchen with a sommelier-led South Tyrolean wine programme. Lagrein Rose, Schiava and the seasonal whites by the glass alongside an Italian-international wine list.
The list: Curated South Tyrolean and Italian list with by-the-glass Lagrein Rose and Schiava; sommelier-led pairings with the contemporary brasserie menu
Tip: The Lagrein Rose by the glass is unusual for Merano - the house also pours from the Cantina Merano Pinot Bianco range. Try a sommelier flight matched to the chef's menu.
Magdalener Aperitivo and the Bolzano vinyl pop-ups ★ 4.3
12 by the glassBolzano Walther square
Magdalener Aperitivo is the Bolzano Tourist Board's seasonal wine-and-vinyl evening on Piazza Walther, scheduled annually on a Friday in early September. Bolzano's wineries pour Santa Maddalena (the Schiava-and-Lagrein blend from the eastern slopes of the city) alongside local DJ vinyl sets. The seasonal version of the indoor-listening bar template.
The list: Outdoor pop-up wine bar pouring Santa Maddalena (Magdalener) Schiava across Bolzano producers; combines with seasonal DJ-and-vinyl evenings in late summer
Tip: Check the Bolzano Tourist Board calendar for the next Magdalener Aperitivo date; tickets via the city tourism office.