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Karlheinz Sollbauer_Traubenfest Meran (17)

There is plenty to see at the Merano Grape Festival.

Discover Merano | Announcement: Grape Festival in Merano – Those who read my posts regularly know that I recently spent a few days in Merano again. Naturally, I picked up all sorts of things here and there, finding out when, where, and what's happening. One highlight in Merano is sure to be the upcoming Merano Grape Festival from October 19th to 21st, 2018. I checked with the Merano Tourist Office and was ultimately convinced that I simply had to share these wonderful festivities with you, complete with wine, music, and more.

Karlheinz Sollbauer_Traubenfest Meran (21)

3, 2, 1…Let the wine flow!

The Merano Grape Festival

„"South Tyrolean traditions interpreted with style, featuring innovations for families and gourmets" – that's a good, concise description of the Merano Grape Festival at the end of October. The program during the three-day festival is colorful and diverse, just like the world of wine itself. But before we delve into the program and the glasses, let's learn a little about the origins of the Merano Grape Festival – also known as "South Tyrol's oldest harvest festival" and Merano's premier event. The tradition stretches back a long way, and the Grape Festival has been celebrated on the streets and squares of Merano on the third weekend of October since 1886. The festival's format has remained unchanged to this day and can be traced back to the original idea of popular writer Karl Wolf and Wilhelm von Pernwerth, the then-director of the Merano spa. Then as now, the Grape Festival has always focused on "wine and grapevines," accompanied by music, customs, and traditional cuisine.

Karlheinz Sollbauer_Traubenfest Meran (14)

The festive parade of the Merano Grape Festival

The program

The highlight is the parade on Sunday, which winds its way through the streets of Merano with decorated floats. The tour starts at the Vinschgau Gate and proceeds through the old town and along the Kurpromenade (spa promenade), accompanied by brass bands, folk dance groups, fanfare and marching bands, as well as traditional costume guilds from South Tyrol, Switzerland, and Germany. The Merano Rifle Company will be on hand to provide refreshments, this year supplying the festival grounds and tent at the Kallmünz parking lot with traditional dishes and drinks. Those wishing to purchase regional products directly from local farmers will find a colorful, seasonal selection of delicacies at the popular Merano market on Saturday and Sunday at Sandplatz. A visit to the elegant tasting trail along the Kurpromenade, featuring South Tyrolean wines, spirits, and specialties, is also highly recommended. This tasting is organized in cooperation with Gourmet International. South Tyrolean sparkling wine will be available on the Kurhaus terrace. Even days before the actual parade, it's worth taking a closer look. The participating institutions and associations begin decorating their floats with great dedication and passion well in advance. Traditions and customs are thus not only evident in the decoration of the floats, but are also central to the Merano Grape Festival. For example, keep an eye out for the "Scout" float from the Algund Young Farmers' Association. This float, now well-known far beyond the borders of South Tyrol, attracts attention with its giant bunch of grapes weighing over 300 kilograms. The "Apple Crown" – a float from Marling – may not score points for size, but it more than makes up for it with tradition, having participated in the parade since 1949. Also returning this year are floats from the riflemen's association entitled "South Tyrol – The Cradle of Tyrol," and others carrying the Merano coat of arms through the city. It promises to be a colorful, diverse, and spectacular parade on the final day of the Merano Grape Festival.

Karlheinz Sollbauer_Traubenfest Meran (25)

There's also plenty on offer musically.

With over 130 years of history, the Merano Grape Festival's roots run deeper into the city's past than perhaps any other event in the city. Therefore, there's something for everyone: from traditional performances and hearty South Tyrolean specialties to a virtually inexhaustible selection of South Tyrolean wines and lively music, ensuring a fantastic atmosphere throughout the three-day festival. The popular Merano Grape Festival has been running for three days since 2007, gaining increasing recognition and growing popularity. To keep things interesting for regular attendees, new ideas and innovations are implemented each year. This is how the Grape Festival attracts more fans, regulars, and loyal wine enthusiasts every year. A must-try when you come to Merano for the festival: the fruity aperitif "Uwo"—we won't spoil the surprise! Another highlight is sure to be the "Merano WineFestival meets Merano Grape Festival" tasting trail. On Saturday and Sunday (October 20th and 21st), the trail leads along the promenade and features fine South Tyrolean wines and regional delicacies. Younger guests are also catered for, with a puppet show ("MÄH") for the "potential wine drinkers of the future," meaning children aged three and up. 😉

Karlheinz Sollbauer_Traubenfest Meran (23)

The focus: wine and grapevines.

Be there yourself at the Merano Grape Festival

Anyone who still isn't tempted to visit Merano is beyond help. To everyone else, I highly recommend experiencing at least two, if not all three, days of the Merano Grape Festival. Don't miss the parade with the floats on the last day, nor a visit to the food stalls, a stroll along the promenade, or listening to high-quality local folk music. You can find additional information about the Merano Grape Festival on [website/platform name]. official website of Merano. The complete program, as well as all the highlights mentioned above, can also be viewed here in a compact digital format.„Flyer „Merano Grape Festival“ download.

What you can expect in the next article
In this fourth and penultimate article, I'll take you to the Michelin-starred Sissi restaurant in Merano, as well as to the Sigmund restaurant. Both are wonderful destinations for gourmets! We'll also stop by the Merano Burggräfler winery.

+++ This article was created in cooperation with the Merano Tourist Office. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

Discover Merano | Merano Tourist Office – Via Freiheitsstraße 45, I-39012 Merano/Bolzano
Telephone: 00390473272000

Website

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