Mazzon

The best time to visit the Brunnenhof is September. Choose a golden, sunny day in late summer when the sky is still light blue, not yet the darker blue of autumn, with just a few wispy clouds above the Mendel mountain. Here, in Mazzon, there are so many days like this, as many as there are full, ripe grapes on the vines.

The hilly countryside of Mazzon is, without doubt, the best terrain for Blauburgunder in the whole of the southern Tirol. An island of vines 300 to 450 meters above the left banks of the river Etsch it is protected from above by the crest of the 'Königswiese' mountain which provides shade over the whole area long after the sun has risen. Indeed, the microclimate created by the rapid temperature changes between the cool mornings and the long sunny afternoons and evenings is ideal for the vines.

The soil itself of the area would appear to have been created especially for wine growing, and in particular for the Blauburgunder grapes. Its mixture of sand and clay with a high concentration of chalk was formed in the Triassic period 250 to 200 million years ago. Experts refer to it as having 'high skeleton content' and a wide range of minerals. From experience we have learnt that it is able to store water and nutrients yet at the same time provide ample drainage.

And the refreshing breeze you can feel? That's the 'Ora', a wind that comes from Lake Garda providing welcoming relief on hot summer afternoons. Not only pleasant for the people of the area it is also perfect for the closely bunched Blauburgunder grapes.