Kune Kune Pigs in the Dolomites: Life at 1,050 Meters
In the vineyards of South Tyrol, biodynamic farming is not only about soils, vines, and lunar rhythms: it is also about animals that help shape a living, balanced landscape. At Baron Longo in the Dolomites, this includes our small herd of Kune Kune pigs, a gentle, slow-moving breed that has become an integral part of our farming system.
In summer, the pigs spend their days high above Montagna in the Trudner Horn Nature Park, at around 1,050 meters above sea level. The cool mountain air of the Dolomites suits them well during the warmer months, and the open slopes provide space for natural grazing and foraging. Here, the pigs move freely through parts of the land surrounding our vineyards, rooting, exploring, and interacting with their environment in a way that supports biodiversity rather than disturbing it.
However, they do not stay at this altitude all year round. As temperatures drop in winter, the pigs move down to the valley near Egna in the Adige Valley (around 220 m a.s.l.), where conditions are milder and more comfortable for them. Their seasonal movement between mountain and valley reflects the same sensitivity to climate and place that guides our viticulture.
Beyond their presence in the landscape, the Kune Kune pigs also play a practical role in our biodynamic vineyard work. They help “a little bit everywhere,” especially in parcels where their natural instincts are useful:
• Cleaning the vineyard floor: The pigs gently forage and root, including around fallen or damaged grapes (often called “foul” or shriveled grapes), reducing waste and limiting potential disease pressure without the need for mechanical intervention.
• Digging and aerating soil: Their light digging helps open up the topsoil in certain areas, encouraging natural soil activity and micro-organisms: a small but meaningful contribution to soil vitality.
• Natural fertilization: Their manure becomes part of the farm’s organic cycle, enriching compost and supporting the living ecosystem of the vineyard when integrated carefully into our biodynamic preparations.
Importantly, this is not about using animals as tools, but about integrating them into a broader, circular farming system. In biodynamic viticulture, animals are seen as part of a living whole - connecting soil, plants, and farm life in a natural, balanced way.
From the cool heights of the Dolomites in summer to the gentler climate of the Adige Valley in winter, our Kune Kune pigs embody the rhythm of this landscape. Their quiet presence reminds us that winegrowing in South Tyrol is not just about vines, but about cultivating a living, interconnected farm within the Trudner Horn Nature Park and beyond.