Appiano, the castle region, combines wine and culture, golf courses and wonderful bathing lakes in the middle of the Monticolo Forest
Image gallery: Appiano on the Wine Road
It is not only the largest wine-growing municipality in South Tyrol, but with its eleven districts also covers a large area on the South Tyrolean Wine Road: Appiano stretches from Riva di Sotto just before Andriano all the way south until Caldaro. Castles, historic residences and winding alleys characterise the area, whose main village is San Michele Appiano. Apple orchards, vineyards and the Monticolo Lakes spread out on the outskirts of the village. The slopes then rise towards the Mendola Ridge, partly on moraine hills from the last ice age, which hide interesting natural phenomena such as the Ice Holes. Then came the first settlers: Finds from the Bronze Age indicate an early settlement. The Roman road Via Claudia Augusta also led through Appiano on the Wine Road and left behind marvellous traces such as the newly discovered Roman villa with its excellently preserved mosaic floors.
Castles, lakes and wine are harmoniously combined here: The wineries produce the excellent grape juice and often present it to a wide audience. Festivals such as the WineCultureWeeks in San Paolo and "The Last Load of Grapes" in the wine village of Cornaiano invite you to taste a good drop with music and entertainment. And wherever the eye wanders, a castle will appear.
These castles are part of the activity programme: Appiano or Hocheppan Castle, Boymont Castle and Corba Castle are linked together in the popular Three Castles Hike. Other estates, such as Palù-Schulthaus Castle and Ganda Castle, have been converted into museums and event locations. Where the settlements leave space for nature, power places such as the Monticolo Forest nature reserve and sports facilities such as the mighty "The Blue Monster" golf course can be found.
