Lagrein is an indigenous grape variety of Alto Adige, whose name led scholars, including Marzotto, to think it might have originated from Val Lagarina. In reality, it is almost certain that the name Lagrein derives from Lagara, a colony of Magna Graecia where a wine known as “Lagaritanos” was produced. This has been subsequently confirmed by DNA research conducted on the grape varieties native to the area. Until the 18th century, “Lagrein” usually referred to a white Lagrein, which was probably the most important variety of the area since the Middle Ages. The Lagrein Rosso (“roter Lagrein”) finds its first citation in 1525. There are two known biotypes of this grape variety, differing in the shape and size of the cluster: Lagrein with a short cluster and Lagrein with a long cluster.

The oldest cultivation areas for Lagrein are the regions around Bolzano, particularly in the Gries district, which have been incorporated into the city over the last 100 years due to significant urban expansion. In recent decades, the eastern areas of Bolzano (Piani and Rencio) and those of Ora (Auer) have also become notable for the quality of their production. It is only since the 1990s that Lagrein wine has been marketed as a pure red (“Dunkel”), with 25,000 hectoliters of wine, compared to 3,200 hectoliters as a rosé (“Kretzer”).