The Original Törggelen

The bonfire of chestnuts kicking off the event at all the Buschenschänke taverns. Participating at Ritten/Renon: - Ebnicher/Oberbozen, guided tour of the farm and chestnut groves, tel. +39 329 6085866. - Rielinger/Siffian, wine tasting, tel. +39 0471 356274. Autumn is upon us. Leaves in hues of gold and scarlet-red begin to dot the mountains, and the aroma of grapes, ripened by the summer sun, still wafts through the vineyards. This is the environment in which the Törggelen tradition was born: the farmers would invite friends and neighbors to their wine cellars and cozy Stuben parlors in order to celebrate the crushing of the grapes. Today, in keeping with authentic practice of the tradition, chestnuts from neighboring groves are served together with homemade wine, and visitors can sample local specialties. As part of the Original Törggelen event, rural taverns known as Buschenschänke have been selected that meet the quality criteria of the Red Rooster brand. This year there are 18 taverns: located in the Isarco/Etschtal Valley, around Bozen and Meran, and along the Wine Route. The taverns in the Isarco/Etschtal Valley are connected to one another by the Eisacktal Chestnut Trail ("Keschtnweg"). Inauguration The bonfire of chestnuts, or Keschtnfeuer, will be lit at 7 p.m., kicking off the Original Törggelen event at all nine Buschenschänke taverns. In addition to serving fine wines, roasting chestnuts and preparing local specialties, the farmers will conduct tours and wine tastings starting at 6 p.m. Advance bookings are required at the participating farms (limited number of participants).