south tyrol is a small but faceted winegrowing region. unique in its field in italy, it is a region where 20 different grape varieties are cultivated on a land of , which yields 3.9 million cases (50,000 hectoliters) of wine. with its geographical position, between an alpine climatic zone and a mediterranean one and with vineyards growing at only above sea level, south tyrol is italy's smallest wine growing area. it has a high density of pdo wines (protected designation of origin).