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Masterclasses

Merano WineFestival 2026

Masterclasses

6 – 9 . 11 . 2026 Hotel Terme Merano · Merano

Tastings led by producers, winemakers and outstanding speakers: every masterclass is a sensory journey into a territory, a grape variety or a production philosophy, in the tasting rooms of the Hotel Terme Merano.

The 2026 programme is published progressively: new sessions are added as they are confirmed. Tickets are available independently from the main event ticket.

Merano WineFestival Masterclass 2026

Friday 6.11

Speaker: Emanuele De Stefani - Sommelier accreditato

Un focus sul terroir e gli abbinamenti cibo-vino

La masterclass verterà sulla storia del Prosecco e sulle caratteristiche di un territorio altamente vocato alla coltivazione della vite, che racchiude scorci di grande suggestione paesaggistica, unitamente a un patrimonio artistico ancora da scoprire. La degustazione degli Spumanti Stefano Bottega verrà proposta in abbinamento con le eccellenze gastronomiche di queste terre.

Wines tasted:

Stefano Bottega
85% Glera, 8% Chardonnay, 7% Pinot Bianco
Stainless steel tank
Stefano Bottega
85% Glera, 7% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Nero
Stainless steel tank
Stefano Bottega
85% Glera, 8% Chardonnay, 7% Pinot Nero
Stainless steel tank
Stefano Bottega
40% Raboso Piave, 30% Glera, 30% Chardonnay
Stainless steel tank
Stefano Bottega
100% Ribolla Gialla
Stainless steel tank
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Speaker: Naomi K.R. - responsabile export

Blasi Cantina is a young winery in the Colli Altotiberini area. As an organic winery and FIVI member, it is pleased to present a selection of wines that perfectly embody its vision: a commitment and dedication to producing wines that offer a fresh, modern take on tradition.

Wines tasted:

White
Blasi Cantina
2009 Mammamia Passito Umbria IGT
50% Malvasia, 30% Semillon, 20% Chenin Blanc
Caratello (small cask) Organic
Blasi Cantina
60% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 20% Sagrantino
Stainless steel tank Tonneau Organic
Blasi Cantina
30% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Sagrantino
Tonneau Large cask Organic
Blasi Cantina
70% Chardonnay, 30% Trebbiano Spoletino
Traditional method Organic
White
Blasi Cantina
2025 Grechetto Umbria IGP
100% Grechetto
Stainless steel tank Organic
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Speakers: Daniele Malavasi, Günther Hölzl, Matteo Bernabei

A guided journey bridging a signature native grape with an unexpected winemaking gamble. An exclusive masterclass exploring a contemporary vision of Lake Garda’s terroir through the voice and wines of Tenuta Malavasi.

Wines tasted:

Malavasi Vini
100% Turbiana
Stainless steel tank
Malavasi Vini
100% Turbiana
Tonneau
Malavasi Vini
100% Turbiana
New barriques <70%
Malavasi Vini
100% Petit Verdot
Used barriques
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Speakers: Manuela Seminara CEO Tenute Ballasanti, Marcelo Vargas Professor e Consultor em Vinhos _ partner Brasile

Tenute Ballasanti tells a story of growth, a business approached with awareness and a spirit of research.Tenute Ballasanti is not simply a winery on Mount Etna, but a true manifesto of ethical planning, entrepreneurial awareness, and scientific rigor applied to the land. Founded by Manuela Seminara and Fabio Gualandris, the company combines the precision of research with an entrepreneurial vision that transforms wine into an authentic sensory experience.Carricante and Nerello Mascalese: Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco and their Selezioni—four wines that will lead us to breathe the power of an active volcano and the strength of a terroir immersed in sea, wind, and fire, guiding us on a journey through human archetypes. The terroir, suspended at an altitude of 800 meters on the eastern slope of the volcano (between the breezes of the Ionian Sea and the subterranean fire of Etna), becomes a bearer of powerful archetypal messages.Wine chosen as a sensory experience.

Wines tasted:

Tenute Ballasanti
100% Nerello Mascalese
Large cask Organic
Red
Tenute Ballasanti
2023 Rosso Etna DOC
100% Nerello Mascalese
Stainless steel tank Organic
Tenute Ballasanti
100% Carricante
Stainless steel tank Organic
Tenute Ballasanti
100% Carricante
Stainless steel tank Organic
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Saturday 7.11

Speakers: Laura Bosio, Cesare Bosio

Un affascinante viaggio attraverso 5 annate della riserva Girolamo Bosio per scoprire l’evoluzione del vino nel tempo. Un percorso di degustazione che mette a confronto annate diverse, evidenziando come maturazione, terroir e condizioni climatiche influenzano profumi, struttura, complessità ed eleganza.
Un’esperienza dedicata a chi desidera conoscere e apprezzare l’identità del Franciacorta attraverso il tempo.

Wines tasted:

Sparkling wine
Bosio
2009 Girolamo Bosio Franciacorta Pas Dosè Riserva Pas dosé DOCG
70% Pinot Nero, 30% Chardonnay
Stainless steel tank Organic
Sparkling wine
Bosio
2006 Girolamo Bosio Franciacorta Pas Dosè Riserva Pas dosé DOCG
70% Pinot Nero, 30% Chardonnay
Stainless steel tank Organic
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Speaker: Nicola Biasi - cult oenologist 2025

Dynamic, razor-sharp wines that cut straight to the core. This masterclass is a journey through essential, uncompromising glasses, driven by three core elements: linearity, energy, and precision. We will explore tension in a tasting that constantly builds, sip after sip. For those seeking the perfect vibrancy in wine.

wine tasting:

Cantina Tàia - Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Docg
Az. Agr. De Vigili - Spumante metodo classico Trento Doc Art
Ca’ da Roman - Spumante metodo classico Ecelo I
Oxenfeld - Pinot bianco Trentino Doc
Tenuta della Casa - Collio Bianco Doc Preludio
Tenuta Cocci Grifoni - Offida Docg Pecorino Colle Vecchio
Resistenti Nicola Biasi - Vino Bianco d’Italia Renitens
Valpanera - Igt Tre Venezie bianco Album
Borgo Savaian - Malvasia Friuli Doc
Progetto Mosella - Riesling 2023
Oddone Prati - Barbera d’Asti Docg La Baccalera

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Speakers: Marco Sciarrini, Lorenzo Gozzelino

Today's Monferrato through the vision of Lorenzo Gozzelino: innovation and tradition come together in a tasting journey through some of the winery's most representative wines. An approach to Piedmontese wine that looks to the future without losing its connection to the territory and to a winemaking history that began in 1914.

Wines tasted:

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Speakers: Alessandro Leoni - Leoni Wine Consulting srl,, Prof. Marco Esti - Full Professor Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences university of Tuscia,, Francesco Clivati - Prime Evolution,, Marco Sciarrini - giornalista enogastronomico

A sustainability project. Inside vineyard ecosystem, that aims to protect the vines using only natural extracts.
Zero chemicals, zero copper, zero PIWI varieties.
The wines presented are a selection from producers participating in the project:
- Noveducati Spumante Metodo Classico Blanc de Noir (Nero di Troia) – Tenuta Planisium (Volturino, FG)
- Gioseffi IGP Paestum Rosso 2022 – Tredaniele (Trentinara, SA)
- Montealfina IGP Umbria Chardonnay 2022–2023–2024 – Feudi Spada (TR)
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2020 – Fattoria di Palazzo Vecchio (Montepulciano, SI)

Wines tasted:

Feudi Spada
100% Chardonnay
New barriques ≥70%
Feudi Spada
100% Chardonnay
New barriques ≥70%
Feudi Spada
100% Chardonnay
New barriques ≥70%
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Speakers: Monia Zanette - wine selector e wine educator, Roberto Cipresso - winemaker e consulente enologo

Where nature and climate impose extreme conditions, human work makes viticulture possible. Steep slopes, high altitudes, terraces, volcanoes, islands and challenging landscapes become vineyards thanks to knowledge, experience and passion.

This masterclass is a journey through heroic viticulture and its wines, authentic expressions of extreme places and of the knowledge and dedication of those who cultivate them.

Through the tasting, each wine tells the story of the relationship between territory, vine and human intervention, showing how the most challenging conditions can give rise to identity, character and uniqueness.
The wines to be presented will be added shortly

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Sunday 8.11

Speakers: Chiara Bersi Serlini, Cristina Mercuri MW

Pinotèn in two vintage years to celebrate the future of the Winery.
Vertical tasting of Pinotèn 2019 (0.75l and Magnum) and Pinotèn 2020 (0.75l and Magnum) guided by Chiara Bersi Serlini and Cristina Mercuri

Wines tasted:

Sparkling wine
Bersi Serlini
2020 Pinotèn Franciacorta Blanc De Noirs Millesimato Pas dosé DOCG
100% Pinot Nero
Traditional method Organic
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Speakers: Marco Sciarrini, Matteo Guerrini

A journey into one of the lesser-known expressions of Italian Pinot Noir. The Masterclass explores the encounter between this great grape variety and the Umbrian terroir through four different interpretations by Guerrini: two Pinot Noirs, a rosé and a sparkling wine. The tasting is designed to show how a grape traditionally associated with other Italian wine regions can develop its own identity in Umbria and express itself in different styles. The tasting will also include a Chardonnay, presented through a less conventional interpretation of the variety.

Wines tasted:

Guerrini
100% Chardonnay
New barriques ≥70%
Guerrini
100% Pinot Nero
New barriques <70% Stainless steel tank
Guerrini
100% Pinot Nero
New barriques <70% Stainless steel tank
Rosé
Guerrini
2024 Rosè Umbria IGT
100% Pinot Nero
Stainless steel tank

Speakers: Andrea Radic, Matteo Bernabei (enologo consulente), Andrea Contarino (direttore tecnico)

The drive to achieve goals through commitment, perseverance and passion.
Since 2017 Villa Trasqua has been the official red and white wine Mille Miglia partner, a celebrated car race.
A pledge that aligns with the winery’s ethos: tradition, terroir and sustainable viticultural practices.

Wines tasted:

Red
Tenuta Villa Trasqua
2019 Millemiglia BMW 328 Roadster Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
100% sangiovese
Tonneau Organic
Red
Tenuta Villa Trasqua
2018 Millemiglia Ferrari 195S Inter Ghia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
100% Sangiovese
Tonneau Organic
Red
Tenuta Villa Trasqua
2017 Millemiglia Mercedes 300 SL coupè W198 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
100% sangiovese
Tonneau Organic
Red
Tenuta Villa Trasqua
2016 Millemigilia Bentley 3 Litre Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
100% sangiovese
Tonneau Organic
Red
Tenuta Villa Trasqua
2015 Millemiglia Alfa Romeo 1750 Super Sport Zagato Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
100% Sangiovese
Tonneau Organic
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Speaker: Celestino Gaspari

Ci sono vini che il tempo custodisce, e vini che del tempo diventano memoria. La Mattonara nasce soltanto nelle annate più grandi, da vigne vecchie e da grappoli scelti con cura quasi silenziosa. Tre mesi di appassimento naturale, dieci anni in legno e un ultimo anno in bottiglia: un’attesa che scolpisce il carattere. Nel calice, la ciliegia e la prugna lasciano spazio a pepe, liquirizia e cacao. È l’eleganza di un Amarone che non si beve soltanto: si contempla, si ascolta, si ricorda.

Wines tasted:

Red
Zýmē Di Celestino Gaspari
2011 La Mattonara Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG
35% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta, 5% Croatina, 5% Molinara
Large cask
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Monday 9.11

Speaker: Eros Teboni

Weingut Nikolaihof: un pezzo di storia della viticoltura biodinamica Europa.
Un viaggio attraverso le cuvee più importanti della cantina, per raccontare e capire l’importanza dei suoi diversi terroir, stili produttivi e metodi di affinamento.

Wines tasted:

Sparkling wine
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
S.A. Brut Nature
White
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
2022 Gruner Veltliner Terrassen
100% Grüner Veltliner
White
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
2024 Gruner Veltliner Zwickl
100% Grüner Veltliner
White
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
2024 Riesling Federspiel Aus den Garten
100% Grüner Veltliner
White
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
2021 Riesling Grillenparz
100% Riesling
White
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
2008 Riesling Vinothek
100% Riesling
White
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
2020 Gruner Veltliner Baumpresse
100% Grüner Veltliner
White
Weingut Nikolaihof - Gemma
2012 Steinterrassen
100% Grüner Veltliner
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Speaker: Marco Sciarrini

Non tutti sanno che sotto le vigne dei Castelli Romani si trovano le pendici del vulcano più antico del Lazio. A pochi chilometri tra il cratere spento e il mare, Gaffino coltiva le sue vigne, e il vino ne porta il segno: minerale, verticale, diverso da quello che ci si aspetta.
Sette vini che raccontano un'azienda che non si accontenta di fare "un buon vino", vini pensati per chi vuole capire cosa succede quando un terreno vulcanico incontra vitigni autoctoni lavorati senza scorciatoie. Si chiude con il Roma Rosso e il Roma Bianco, la denominazione nella sua forma più pura, il punto d'arrivo di un percorso che parte da lontano.
Una passeggiata dello stile Gaffino, dal più personale al più classico, per chi vuole capire perché la Roma DOC, qui, ha un carattere che altrove non trova.

Wines tasted:

Gaffino Vigneti E Cantina
100% Cesanese
New barriques ≥70% Organic
Gaffino Vigneti E Cantina
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Used barriques Organic
Gaffino Vigneti E Cantina
100% Syrah
Used barriques Organic
Gaffino Vigneti E Cantina
60% Montepulciano, 40% Sangiovese
New barriques ≥70% Organic
White
Gaffino Vigneti E Cantina
2025 Roma Malvasia Puntinata DOC
100% Malvasia Puntinata
Stainless steel tank Organic
White
Gaffino Vigneti E Cantina
2025 Fojetta Lazio Viognier IGT
100% Viognier
Stainless steel tank Organic
Gaffino Vigneti E Cantina
100% Syrah
Stainless steel tank Organic

Speakers: Giulio Bava, Mauro Giacomo Bertolli

Two grape varieties, two interpretations of Alta Langa, one common thread: the value of time.
A tasting journey through vertical flights of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, exploring how terroir, vintage and extended ageing shape the identity of Piedmont’s historic traditional-method sparkling wine in Giulio Cocchi’s Pas Dosé expression.

Wines poured:
Espressione Bianc 2019 – 100% Chardonnay
Espressione Bianc 2018 – 100% Chardonnay
Espressione Noir 2019 – 100% Pinot Noir
Espressione Noir 2018 – 100% Pinot Noir
Pas Dosé 2017 – Magnum – 100% Pinot Noir
Pas Dosé 2015 – Magnum – 100% Pinot Noir

Six wines tracing the evolution of eleven years in the glass, revealing the depth and complexity that Alta Langa DOCG can express over time.
The tasting will be led by Giulio Bava and Mauro Giacomo Bertolli.

Wines tasted:

Sparkling wine
Cocchi
2017 Alta Langa DOCG Dosaggio zero DOCG
100% Pinot Nero
Traditional method
Sparkling wine
Cocchi
2015 Alta Langa Millesimato Metodo Classico Pas dosé DOCG
100% Pinot Nero
Traditional method

Speakers: Andrea Radic, con, Roberto Komjanc, produttore

In the Collio region, ancient grape varieties—known as indigenous—have been cultivated for centuries. The Komjanc vineyard is a vineyard of time, of longevity. It represents a family heritage, a crop rooted here since time immemorial. Yet the lives of the Komjanc family—rooted alongside these vines—also unfold over time; in the place they inhabit, they truly "live together."
From single-varietal indigenous wines to the creation of *Bratje*: a journey into the elegance of Collio through wines crafted by winemaker Gianni Menotti.

Wines tasted:

Alessio Komjanc & Figli
100% Tocai Friulano
Stainless steel tank
Alessio Komjanc & Figli
100% Tocai Friulano
Stainless steel tank
White
Alessio Komjanc & Figli
100% Tocai Friulano
Stainless steel tank
Alessio Komjanc & Figli
100% Friulano
Stainless steel tank
Alessio Komjanc & Figli
100% Friulano
Stainless steel tank
Alessio Komjanc & Figli
19% Ribolla Gialla, 40% Friulano, 40% Malvasia, 1% Picolit
Tonneau Stainless steel tank
White
Alessio Komjanc & Figli
100% Ribolla Gialla
Stainless steel tank
White
Alessio Komjanc & Figli
100% Malvasia Istriana
Stainless steel tank
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Speaker: Andrea Radic

Surrounded by the morainic hills and Lake Garda, Valtènesi is a
captivating region with a millennium-old viticultural heritage, and
Cantine Scolari embodies the spirit of the centuries-old wine traditions
of this land.
Our history begins in 1929 and is intertwined with the very territory
itself, a tale of dedication to the land and the art of wine that flows
through our veins like family blood.
Our philosophy is based on the relentless pursuit of oenological
perfection, attention to detail, and respect for our precious terroir.
Every bottle of wine we produce is the result of an ongoing commitment
to preserving ancient artisanal techniques and maximizing the
authenticity of local grapes.
In every sip of our wines, we want the history and passion that
guide us to be palpable, creating an experience that goes beyond mere
taste, transforming each tasting into a sensory journey through lush
vineyards.

Wines tasted:

Cantine Scolari
100% Trebbiano Di Lugana
Stainless steel tank
Cantine Scolari
60% Groppello, 15% Barbera, 10% Sangiovese, 15% Marzemino
Used barriques
Cantine Scolari
60% Groppello, 15% Barbera, 10% Sangiovese, 15% Marzemino
Stainless steel tank
Cantine Scolari
85% Groppello, 5% Barbera, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Marzemino
Stainless steel tank

Choose a day above to discover the masterclasses on the programme, their speakers and the wines in the glass.

All Masterclass proceeds go to

Un pozzo per la vita

Taking part in a masterclass also means backing real projects: every euro of the proceeds goes to Un pozzo per la vita, which together with the Merano WineFestival delivers verified, documented work in West Africa, such as:

  • Babarou, northern Benin — the renovation of the parish reception centre for young people: a new drinking-water tank, sanitary facilities with showers and running water, a mill for grinding cereals.
  • Guenkpota, Guinsi 2 and Ouenou — drilled wells with a water tower, a photovoltaic plant and submersible pumps: drinking water for thousands of people.
  • Kpalimé, Togo — food workshops and workspaces at the Oasis d'Amour psychiatric centre.
  • Mougnon, Benin — vocational workshops training vulnerable young women.

Every project has been completed and accounted for: concrete, traceable results, not promises.

Hotel Terme Merano Image

Hotel Terme Merano

Hotel Terme Merano, Piazza Terme 1, Merano

The Hotel Terme Merano, located just a few meters from the Kurhaus of Merano and the historical city center, plays a central role during the Merano WineFestival as the venue for all the WineHunter Masterclasses.

All masterclasses during the Merano WineFestival are held in the tasting rooms of the Hotel Terme Merano, over the bridge following the red carpet

Discover the location

simple map merano masterclass hotel terme