Castelrotto/Kastelruth

Under the shadow of the towering Schlern dolomite massif, Castelrotto's alpine pastures and steep, sun-drenched slopes create a rugged microclimate that shapes 16 distinct protected denominations. Chief among these is the Alto Adige DOC, a prestigious wine designation shared across 52 mountain municipalities. The high altitude and sharp thermal excursions concentrate flavors in local vineyards and orchards, yielding expressive wines alongside traditional alpine staples. Here, distillers craft the plum-based Südtiroler Zwetschgeler IG, while bakers preserve mountain heritage through the crispy, rye-based Südtiroler Schüttelbrot IGP, illustrating how high-altitude survival evolved into celebrated gastronomy.