The Haas family has been growing grapes in Montagna in the province of Bolzano in the Alto Adige for generations. However, it is only with Franz, the current proprietor, that they have begun to produce and bottle quality wines. Franz studied at Geisenheim before working as a broker of Italian wines into the German market. After several years, he took over the running of the family business. Franz Haas goes to tremendous lengths to grow good grapes and then strives to preserve the flavours of the fruit during winemaking. As a result, the wines that he produces are infused with great character and show a rare purity and balance on the palate.

The grapes for this wine were grown in hillside vineyards on the mid to high slopes around the village of Montagna, with south to south-west exposure. The vines are 15 years old and Guyot trained.The soil is very rich and deep, with a high content of silt and clay due to the erosion of the mountain slopes above. Yields are 70 hectolitres per hectare. 2010 was the first year that fruit was included from their higher altitude vineyards (750-900 metres
above sea level). These vineyards, which were 'experimental' when Franz first planted them, because of a law prohibiting plantings at such an altitude, are now legal since the law changed in 2010. Franz feels that the lower yields and longer growing season at such altitudes gives wines of greater complexity
and intensity.

Grapes were hand picked and selected in the vineyards. Fermentation took place at controlled temperature almost exclusively in stainless steel tanks, with a small quantity in barrique. The wine aged for about four months on its lees, separately, as during the fermentation process, to add complexity and give the wine a fuller body. Finally the Pinot Grigio remains three to four months in bottle before release.

Great with seafood pasta