Franz Haas | Trentino-Alto Adige

The Haas family has been growing grapes in Montagna in the province of Bolzano for generations. However, it was only with Franz, the current proprietor, that they began to produce and bottle quality wines. Franz studied at Geisenheim in Germany before working as a broker of Italian wines in the German market. After several years, he took over the running of the family business.

Franz Haas goes to tremendous lengths to grow quality grapes and strives to preserve the flavours of the fruit during winemaking. As a result, the wines that he produces are infused with great character, with purity and balance on the palate. To maintain the aromatic quality of his wines, Franz has bottled his entire wine production under screw-cap from the 2018 vintage onwards. A revolutionary choice, he is one of the first Italian wine producers to have done so.

In wine quality terms, his Pinot Nero is one of Italy’s best. It is light in colour yet bursting with varietal character on both the nose and palate, with a lovely tannin structure. Of his whites, the Pinot Grigio is classic and fresh, and the ‘Lepus’ is an excellent expression of Pinot Bianco. His flagship wine is the ‘schweizer’ Manna: a blend of Riesling, barrel fermented Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Kerner and barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. The aromatic quality of the Riesling and Gewürztraminer come through in the glass, but they are given depth and texture by the subtle use of oak on the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This is undoubtedly one of Italy’s best white wines.

FRANZ HAAS