Versoaln

[1] Similar to the German/Italian grape variety Trollinger (Schiava Grossa), Versoaln has the tendency to produce large berries of thick-skinned grapes in similarly large, irregularly shaped bunches that can put a great strain on the vine if not properly managed by vine training and pruning.

Versoaln is very susceptible to the viticultural hazards of sour rot and the fungal infections of downy and powdery mildew.

[1] While once widely planted throughout the South Tyrol region, Versoaln was on the verge of extinction until viticulturists with the Laimburg Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and Free University of Bozen-Bolzano started propagating cuttings from the single, 350+ year old Versoaln vine planted at Katzenzungen Castle.

The vine was reportedly brought to northeast Italy by a former owner of Katzenzungen Castle, Grafen Schlandesberg.

Dated by Martin Worbes of the University of Göttingen in Germany to be at least 350 years old, the vine has been measured to cover a length of 350 square metres (3,800 sq ft).

A segment of the 350+ year old, 350m 2 long Versoaln vine planted outside Katzenzungen Castle in South Tyrol.
According to one legend, the Versoaln vine was once planted at Versailles and brought to Italy by the owner of Katzenzungen Castle
A segment of the Katzenzungen Versoaln vine.
Katzenzungen Castle, home of the 350+ year old vine of Versoaln