In 1999, with the first signals of climate change, we decided to rent several hectares at high altitude, where we began planting vines in 2000. Today, the different vineyards reach up to 1.150 meters above sea level and are among the highest ones in South Tyrol. Cultivating at these altitudes is more difficult and tiring, but the wines that come from these lands distinguish themselves for their special and unique characteristics.

• More scents and aromas

• More longevity

• More structure

• More acidity

• More sapidity and minerality

Noteworthy is the case of the Pinot Nero Pònkler, whose vineyards are located at 800 meters above sea level. These vineyards are completely surrounded by meadows and woods in a wonderful place only visited by wild animals.

The Pinot Nero does not like warm temperatures. It prefers a mild, slightly cold climate and requires a long ripening.

In the years before, anticipating the harvest in the historic vineyards did not lead to significant results. Therefore, in 1999 Franz Haas decided to go up in altitude with the vineyards and, at the same time, to experiment with some new clones in Italy, which are particularly well suited to the environment.

As a result, Francesco Arrigoni, a well-known journalist, defined the first vintage 2010 of the Pinot Nero Pònkler as “a wine with the soul”. Lovely fruit; nice hints of red fruits, like strawberry and cherry, but also notes of blueberries and blackberries. It has the right acidity, smooth tannins, and a pleasant smoothness.”