The apple is the defining symbol of Val di Non. The story we are sharing with you today reveals that there is much more to each fruit than meets the eye: a world of people, planning, and forward-thinking choices.
A guided tour of the 'Hypogeal Cells' underground warehouses and MondoMelinda offers an insight into the apple-growing process in Val di Non, taking you through two of its key stages:
- the conservation of apples in underground tunnels dug into the Dolomite rock, which are unique in their kind, in the heart of the mountain;
- the processing of apples in huge, state-of-the-art halls using innovative technologies and the responsible use of resources.
Discover the incredible universe of MELINDA for yourself, accompanied by an expert guide. This exclusive experience takes you on a journey through production spaces, underground rooms, and infrastructures that are usually not open to the public. You will see how agriculture, technology, and logistics coexist in strict compliance with sustainability.
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Melinda's Underground Warehouses: preserving apples inside the mountain
The journey begins in the heart of the Dolomites at the Melinda 'Hypogeal Cells' underground warehouses, a unique place carved into the rock where apples are stored 300 metres underground.
Here, the natural environment is a part of the project: the rock keeps a steady temperature all year round, between 10°C to 12°C, and can store the cold and then slowly give it back to the environment, which saves considerable energy.
To ensure fresh, quality fruit throughout the year, the apples are stored in a controlled atmosphere with a lowered temperature of 1°C and reduced oxygen levels, which slows down their natural ripening process.
During the guided tour, you will learn why the Val di Non subsoil was chosen and what makes it unique. You will also discover how the 'hypogeal cells' work and how they differ from surface storage facilities. The story focuses on research, engineering, and advanced logistics in a context that could not exist elsewhere.
Apples in the Sky: Melinda apples travel by cable car
The underground warehouses are connected to one of Melinda's processing rooms via one of the world's most unique and surprising infrastructures: the Apple Cable Car. Backed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), this pioneering project is shaping the future of agri-food logistics.
Opened in November 2025, the cableway covers 1,340 metres and carries crates of apples continuously from the harvesting areas to the underground tunnels. The route initially runs outdoors, before continuing for around 450 metres inside the mountain to reach the 'Hypogeal Cells' underground warehouses.
It is the world's first system dedicated exclusively to fruit transport. This solution eliminates truck traffic from mountain roads, making transport more efficient by providing a direct connection between the outside and the heart of the mountain.
A guide will accompany you as you discover how this choice has transformed transport management. Fewer vehicles on the road mean lower CO2 emissions, more efficient logistics in the valley and a more organised approach to work. It is a concrete example of how infrastructure and the local area can work together.
MondoMelinda: processing apples from the Val di Non
The tour continues with a visit to the new MondoMelinda in Segno di Predaia, a space dedicated to exploring the processing of apples from across Val di Non.
Accompanied by a guide, you will learn about the Melinda Consortium, its 4,000 member families, and the journey of the apples from harvest to market. The tour provides a clear insight into how apples are selected, classified, labelled, and prepared for market.
You will also learn about the role of the Melinda factory and brand, and how the cooperative system brings together thousands of producers to guarantee quality, traceability, and a strong brand identity. At the same time, the tour follows the apple's growth cycle, from pruning and treatment to fruit thinning and harvesting. The guide will introduce you to the main varieties grown in the Val di Non alongside well-known apples such as Golden, Red Delicious, and Fuji, as well as club varieties such as Evelina, Morgana, Dolcevita, and Kissabel.
This is a journey that allows you to understand the entire path that apples take, from harvest to reaching our tables every day.
Visits to MondoMelinda and the 'Hypogeal Cells' underground warehouses are always guided, offering a compelling narrative to help visitors discover the world behind every Melinda apple. This is the perfect opportunity to visit locations that are not usually open to the public and to understand how conservation, processing, and innovation coexist within this project.
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Visits to MondoMelinda and the 'Hypogeal Cells' underground warehouses must be booked in advance and always include a guide. These experiences can be booked individually; however, together they provide a comprehensive understanding of the project's complexity and uniqueness.
The tour concludes in the MondoMelinda shop, where you can purchase the apples and products introduced during the experience, which are available all year round alongside a selection of Trentino specialities.
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