86 specified geographical sites have been recognised by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture as Additional Geographical Units (UGAs) Nestled in Italy’s northeastern corner, Alto Adige—one of the country’s smallest yet most innovative…

86 specified geographical sites have been recognised by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture as Additional Geographical Units (UGAs)

Nestled in Italy’s northeastern corner, Alto Adige—one of the country’s smallest yet most innovative wine-producing regions—is making an important step forward with a new addition to its overarching Alto Adige DOC designation. The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines has announced that starting with the 2024 vintage, 86 well-defined and meticulously documented vineyard areas have been granted special legal status as Additional Geographical Units (in Italian “Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive” or UGA), further elevating the region’s reputation for exceptional wine quality. This new classification enables Alto Adige growers and producers to achieve even greater levels of quality and distinction while allowing consumers to savour the finest expressions of their favourite wines and trace their origins back to specific vineyards.

“Our goal is to capture the unique character of each vineyard in every bottle,” said Martin Foradori, Vice President of the Consorzio Alto Adige Wines and owner of the J. Hofstätter estate. “Terroir” should not be just a marketing term—it should be something you can truly taste in each glass of wine.”

Defined by rigorous criteria, each UGA reflects an ideal alignment of soil type, microclimate, altitude, slope inclination, sun exposure, rainfall, and more. While forward-thinking was essential to this process, tradition also played a significant role, as many of the selected vineyard sites hold historical importance. A land register dating back to the mid-18th century provided access to valuable historic land names, testifying to the region’s rich viticultural heritage. Additionally, within each UGA, permissible yields have been further reduced by 25 per cent compared to DOC regulations, ensuring optimal grape quality and exceptional wines.