Teroldego Rotaliano refers both to the grape and wine (a DOC since 1971) from Trentino of Trentino-Alto Adige in northern Italy.  This wine is made entirely from the Teroldego grapes grown on the Campo Rotaliano from Zeni's Lealbere vineyard.

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Campo Rotaliano is flat plain of the Adige Valley in northern Trentino.  It sits at the junction between Adige Valley and that of the smaller Noce river, a minor tributary.  This area is considered the "homeland" of the Teroldego variety.  This plain, locat4ed within the villages of Mezzocorona, Mezzolombardo and Grumo San Michele all’Adige, consists of around 450 hectares of vineyards and was originated by the Noce stream on its course towards the Adige river.  In ancient times, the Noce would overflood onto the terrains of the plain covering them with water and mud; such flooding phenomenon gradually created a succession of alluvial deposits that got stratified throughout the course of centuries. 

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The unique soil composition (the terroir) was thus created: the upper layer, where the roots grow, consists of limestone sediments the with large contents of carbonate rocks and other minerals. The lower portion of the profile consists of rounded stones and variously sized gravels.  The third layer is groundwater and, more specifically, a deep waterbed where the roots get hydration from.

Additionally, the vertical rock walls that surround and protect the plain significantly influence the accumulation and subsequent dispersion of heat.  The winds created by the convergence of two major valleys – Val di Non and Valle dell’Adige – considerably mitigate the temperature and especially air humidity.

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The grape Teroldego is an ancient grape variety and has been cultivated in Italy for thousands of years.  Teroldego's dark skins produce deeply pigmented wines, yet despite its dark color it produces wine with bright, vibrant red fruity character.  It's grown almost nowhere in the world outside the Adige valley, which helps to explain why it has become something of an icon for Trentino's wine industry.

There are multiple theories about the root of the name Teroldego.  Some believe it's an evolution of the German phrase for “gold of Tyrol” (Oro del Tirolo in Italian).  Tyrol is an area of Northern Italy.  Others think the word comes from "tirelle," a vine training system where a wire harness is typically used to support the vines.  Some hypothesize that the name was adapted from Alle Teroldege, an ancient vineyard site in the area where the grape was originally cultivated.  The confusion around the name is partially the result of just how long this variety has been around--  there are documents that show the variety's existence as far back as the 15th century.  Needless to say, Teroldego is a long-standing favorite in northern Italy, and for good reason! 

Zeni's Teroldego grapes, harvested by hand, reach the winery where they are crushed and pumped into vats for fermentation and skin contact.  After about ten days, it’s removed from the vats and, kept warm, malolactic fermentation takes place to ensure natural deacidification. It stands for about six months in steel tanks to maintain the fragrance of the aromas of blackberry and raspberry which are typical of the Teroldego.  The wine is then bottled and after a short standing period, it’s ready to be released and sold.