Törggelen in Naturns: The Special South Tyrolean Custom

Törggelen is almost a fifth season in South Tyrol. The red and yellow autumn leaves before your eyes, hiking boots on your feet and young wine in your glass: these three factors are an essential part of the traditional Törggele time. This custom lasts from the beginning of October to the end of November every year, during which the wine taverns and farm taverns promise enjoyment and conviviality.

Törggelen has its origins in the wine cellars of South Tyrol, the northernmost region of Italy. The name comes from the word “Torggl” – the name for a traditional wine press around which winegrowers and guests used to gather to taste the new wine of the season and celebrate the grape harvest.

Classic dishes: the Törggele menu

A classic Törggele menu consists of regional specialties such as barley soup, followed by hearty main courses such as South Tyrolean speck, smoked sausages or a hearty meat platter with sauerkraut and dumplings. Sweet highlight: roasted chestnuts and sweet doughnuts filled with poppy seeds, jam or chestnuts. Sweet grape must (“Sußer”) and young wine (“Nuier”) are available to drink.

• 5 tips for Törggele:
• Reservations: As the season in South Tyrol only lasts a few weeks, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance. Especially in the evening!
• Hiking: Combine the culinary experience of Törggelen with a hike through autumnal South Tyrol.
• Dress code: Törggelen is a relaxed affair! T-shirt and jeans or hiking clothes are absolutely fine.
• Timing: Take your time for the multi-course Törggelen menu and don’t plan too many changes of location.
• Local color: Many establishments offer exclusively homemade dishes with regional ingredients. This is how you get to know the authentic cuisine of South Tyrol.

However, Törggelen means more than just good food and drink. The custom also celebrates conviviality. The atmosphere in the pubs is lively and cheerful, with music and singing in the evenings in many of the rustic taverns and farmhouse inns.

History meets modernity in Naturns

An ideal place to experience the special Törggele time: the thermal village of Naturns in the picturesque Vinschgau Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol near Meran. The special thing about Naturno is not only its geographical location in the middle of picturesque vineyards and apple orchards, but also a recently discovered natural spring with thermal water. This is said to help with rheumatic complaints and stress – and thus contributes to Naturns’ wellbeing factor.

Guests can relax in the thermal water not only in the town’s thermal spa, but also in ten hotels, most notably the Belvedere Hotel. The adults-only hotel run by the Tappeiner family in an exclusive hillside location above Naturns boasts a charming wellness area and fine cuisine.

The rooms are furnished in a purist, timeless style and all offer a wonderful view of the surrounding vineyards and apple orchards thanks to their south-facing balconies. In good weather, the best way to start the day is with breakfast on the panoramic terrace and a stroll through the beautifully landscaped garden.

From there, you can also take part in the annual “Wine and Gourmet Autumn – Gourmet Autumn in Naturns“. In 2024, the program runs from 12 October to 16 November and offers visits to local wineries, wine hikes along the “Via Vinum Venostis” and gala dinners at selected partner businesses from Monday to Friday.

Delicious duo: apple and bacon

In addition to wine, the Venosta Valley is also known for its crunchy and sweet and sour apples. The latter thrive particularly well here thanks to the 315 days of sunshine a year and the Mediterranean climate. Those interested can take guided tours with so-called apple ambassadors to learn more about the cultivation and the different varieties.

Tip: As a trained apple sommelier and farmer at the Oberwötzelhof farm in Tabland, South Tyrolean Anja Ladurner Fritz provides particularly competent and entertaining information about the round fruit of paradise.

The family-run butcher’s shop Christanell in the village center of Naturns. Founded in 1903, the company is run by Stephan Christanell, now in its third generation, and is known above all for its high-quality “Speck Alto Adige PGI”. The abbreviation PGI stands for “protected geographical indication”. It is a European Union award for selected products that are produced according to traditional methods in a specific area. 


Eat and drink well all year round

Regardless of culinary events and the traditional Törggele time in autumn, travelers can enjoy good food in Naturno and the surrounding area all year round. One recommendation is the modern Tschirlanderhof restaurant, which serves fine Mediterranean cuisine and is famous for its great seafood pasta. Or the small mountain restaurant Brandhof above Naturns with dumpling specialties and panoramic views.

The two most famous and largest wineries in the municipality can also be visited individually, first and foremost the Castel Juval Unterortl below the Juval Castle of the same name. It has been owned by the famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner since 1983. Another gem is the Falkenstein winery above Naturns. 


The thermal village of Naturns not only has nature in its name, but also has plenty of it to offer: From the Sonnenberg mountain at the entrance to the Texel Group Nature Park, idyllic Waal and wine trails for walking to bike routes along the Adige river.