Katzenzungen (Cat's Tongue) Castle at Tisens, Bolzano, in Alto Adige (South Tyrol) claims to have the oldest vine in Italy and one of the oldest vines in the world. The Versoaln grapevine is believed to be at least 350 years old (and much older than that according to legend). The spread of Its branches, supported by a pergola of chestnut wood, covers over 300 sq m.
The grapevine risked extinction until recently when the Laimburg Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and Free University of Bolzano took it in hand and began to propagate cuttings. The venerable Versoaln now has over 100 “children” spread over the territory.
The parent vine still produces grapes that are harvested each year and mixed with the fruit of the new plantings, yielding a total of approximately 500 bottles of Versoaln white wine each year, which are marketed in specially numbered bottles.
Info: Tel +39.0473.927018 www.castel.katzenzunger.com
