The Wine Trail: Trentino Between Sparkling Wines and Untouched Nature

For centuries, Trentino has been a land of extraordinary food and wine riches. The variety of its orographic conformation allows for a fascinating alternation between rugged alpine landscapes—renowned for dairy production—and Mediterranean ones that, in recent decades, have stood out for their remarkable winemaking tradition. The Wine Trail thus becomes not only a journey for the palate but above all an immersion into a golden land.

The Wine Trail: A Rich and Diverse Territory

The so-called Wine Trail winds through a remarkably varied landscape. It stretches from the northern shores of Lake Garda to the vast vineyards of the Rotaliana Plain, passing through the Dolomitic peaks of Madonna di Campiglio and the Valsugana valley. It’s a land full of vitality and healthy productivity.

The Wine Trail first and foremost celebrates a land of rebirth and pride — one that gave birth to the Bordolese, the most iconic of Trentino’s red wines. Created through the traditional blending technique (taglio), which combines single-variety wines, it merges the robustness of Cabernet with the soft balance of Merlot, offering a smooth and captivating tasting experience.

No Trentino Wine Trail would be complete without mentioning Pinot Grigio, with its typical copper hue—thanks to white vinification—and its sweet yet bold flavor compared to the classic Pinot. And, of course, the Trento DOC, the region’s signature sparkling wine, conceived as the perfect accompaniment to platters of cured meats (like the typical speck) and cheeses from Trentino’s renowned dairy tradition. A proper Wine Trail could never overlook these sparkling wines that, with freshness and intensity, embody the history of a land devoted to winemaking.

But could there really be a Wine Trail without Trentino’s famous grappa? Consider this: of the 130 distilleries in Italy, 30 are located in Trentino alone—proof of how refined the art of grape-pomace distillation is here and how this white gold truly symbolizes the region. Grappa production requires expert hands capable of selecting and strengthening the pomace, all in respect of a centuries-old tradition.

The Paths of Taste: Savoring the Heart of Nature

Since the Wine Trail intertwines with Trentino’s rich natural scenery, some of the most beautiful trails combine nature, trekking, and the extraordinary culinary experiences that only this land can offer.

Along the Wine Trail, you might follow a route that retraces a journey made over 800 years ago — the Dürer Trail. In the 1400s, the German painter Albrecht Dürer, fascinated by Trentino’s landscapes, immortalized them in his iconic watercolors.

This two-day walk (28.5 km) leads from the Kloesterle of Egna to the Castle and the Earth Pyramids of Segonzano, passing through the woods of Mount Corno and the terraced vineyards of the Cembra Valley. Amidst the region’s flora and fauna, travelers can enjoy a fully immersive experience, savoring local specialties such as Carne Fumada, Luganega del Trentino, Trentino grappa, Müller Thurgau, and Trentodoc.

The Wine Trail becomes even more fascinating with the San Vili Trail. This route stretches over 6–7 days for a total of 102 km, taking travelers from the Brenta Dolomites to the city of Trento, along the ancient Roman road followed in 400 AD by Saint Vigilius (San Vili), Bishop and Patron Saint of Trento.

Along this extraordinary route, hikers encounter untouched mountain landscapes, ancient medieval roads, and the unaltered flavors and aromas that make this territory truly enchanting. Don’t miss Spressa delle Giudicarie DOP, Ciuìga del Banale, Nosiola, Vino Santo, Trentino grappa, and, to conclude, Trentodoc.

The Wine Trail celebrates the full diversity of Trentino’s ecosystem, also through the From Lake to Lake Trail, which highlights an often-overlooked part of the landscape compared to the rugged alpine terrain. The route stretches from north to south, linking Lake Santa Massenza to Lake Toblino, Lake Cavedine to Lake Garda, and finally to Lakes Ledro and Ampola — a nine-day journey through nature, flavors, and timeless beauty.