Franz Haas
The Franz Haas company has endeavoured to show the wines it produces always in the best light. It was established in 1881 and has been handed down through the generations up to now to a Franz Haas.
During the 80's most of the vines were replaced, leaving space for varieties that are more in keeping with the land. Around 50 vine-planted hectares are worked, subdivided among owners, renters and assignees. The vineyards start at an altitude of 240m above sea level up to 850m, with an enormous variability of microclimates and soils, from porphyritic sand to fine clay to soil with a high calcium content.
During 2000, because of the progressing climate change, several rented hectares were purchased, at altitudes up to 850m above sea level. Ten years on, the decision to plant vines at these heights has been optimal for production of long-lasting wines, fragrant and decidedly acidic owing to the good temperature range. The vineyards, including the new ones, are all concentrated in the municipalities of Montagna and Egna, on the side of the Cislon and Aldino mountains.
Special attention has always been taken in using the minimum and most selective chemical substances during cultivation and fertilisation. Our vineyards don't always look like impeccable gardens, often with high grass between the rows, but this way we can carry on with a natural process: pollination, reproduction through flowers and insects was dying out, but mostly this lets our children see flowering fields.
Franz Haas has always been recognised as a great enthusiast and cultivator of the most difficult vine, one that is the most sensitive and repays the greatest: the Pinot Nero. Notwithstanding all the attention, the brainpower, the work, the product isn't always at the same level as its origins, so the selection of the Pinot Noir, called „Schweizer", isn't always put on the market.
Other wine varieties are produced with the same care, from Pinot Bianco to Muller Thurgau, from Manna to Sauvignon, from Traminer Aromatico to Moscato Giallo, from Lagrein to Moscato Rosa: a bit of the entire Alto Adige range.
Another detail that makes Franz Haas stand out is the collaboration with the artist Riccardo Schweizer, who makes the labels. These were given to Franz by his wife, Maria Luisa Manna, as a good omen when he released his wines. The first label Franz chose was the fashionable Pinot Nero Schweizer label, whose first year was '87, but released in '90. Twenty-one years ago, much more traditional, simple labels were used, then the black and gold label came out, and as simple as it was, it certainly had an impact. But apart from the quality of the wine, people began to appreciate this type of label a lot, and even today, twenty years on, they stand out and are remembered on wine shop shelves and restaurant tables.
Contact
Franz Haas
Villnerstr. 6
I-39040 Montan
Phone +39 0471 812 280
Fax +39 0471 820 283
www.franz-haas.it
info@franz-haas.it
Guided cellar-tours and wine tasting in English on request.
Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday: 9am - 12noon/ 2.30pm -6.30pm
