This plot is something truly special – shaped by unique planting material, a hot location, and meticulous cultivation. In recent years, we have always vinified it separately, and year after year, it ranks among our best Sauvignon components – if not the very best.
To preserve the unique character of these grapes, we applied a minimal-intervention vinification. Our goal was to let the wine speak for itself – clear, precise, and pure.
In 2023, we dared to experiment: some parcels were harvested even earlier than before – raising the question: How early is too early? What does ripeness truly mean? And where is the fine line between ripe and unripe?
Despite an alcohol level of under 10%, only healthy, fully developed grapes were processed – the focus was on exploring a new definition of ripeness, detached from classic parameters.
Starting point: The grapes come from an outstanding Pergola-vineyard with Chardonnay in the Punggl site, cultivated by our vintner partner Frassen. This plot may become part of the Löwengang selection in the future. Harvest took place on August 17, 2023.
On the steep slopes behind Castel Tirolo near Merano, grow the Bronner vines of the Leisterhof – a first-generation PIWI variety, bred from a cross between Märzling and Saint Laurent. While PIWI varieties are increasingly promoted in viticulture, they still face some hesitation in the market – but this wine shows the remarkable potential they hold.
The vines were planted in 2012 and now deliver their full expression in a limited small batch – just a single barrique.
Four vintages, four approaches to an old grape variety: 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Each vintage was fermented on the skins – sometimes with a portion of whole clusters, sometimes entirely destemmed. Skin contact time was interpreted differently each year. The longest was vintage 2020, which spent a full year on the skins, with about one-third whole clusters. It has already appeared as a comet and now forms one component of this vintage blend.
Grapes: Depending on the year, the fruit comes from the Leiten in Magrè and Bolzano – sites that give Blatterle its characteristic structure, finesse, and spice.
The first yield from the newly planted vineyard (1.2 ha) in 2021 – a debut vintage in an excellent Pinot Noir year. Harvested at the end of August, with a one-week maceration including a small proportion of whole clusters. During maturation, the wine went through a slightly reductive phase, which added extra tension and complexity.
Although the site was not originally considered a classic Burgundy-style location, the potential of this single vineyard – Krafuss – is now clearly emerging, and it's being established as a new Grand Cru parcel.
This was actually meant to be a site for Cabernet – but due to a misunderstanding, Portugieser was planted in this hot location in Magrè. When the grapes had already turned color in early August and, by mid-month, seemed surprisingly ripe – yet didn’t taste anything like Cabernet – things got suspicious. A DNA analysis brought clarity: by mistake, a batch of Portugieser intended for another plot had been planted here. Shit happens 😊. But the mishap turned out to be a stroke of luck.
Portugieser has a long history in the Valle Isarco Valley – often found in historical mixed vineyards, and sold as grafted vines at the end of the 19th century, sometimes deliberately, sometimes accidentally combined with other varieties. Today, the grape has almost completely disappeared from the region. All the more exciting to see how well it performs on this warm alluvial cone – a site that ripens early and offers exactly the right environment for this light, high-acidity variety.
Our Pétillant Naturel (Pet-Nat) has firmly established itself as part of the comets and has become an essential part of our range. But what exactly is Pet-Nat? It's the most original form of sparkling wine – each bottle a unique creation! The still-fermenting must is bottled, where fermentation naturally finishes.
For this Pet-Nat, we created an exciting cuvée: 50% Souvignier Gris, 25% Moscato Giallo, and 25% Tannat. The juice extraction from the Tannat gives the wine its delicate rosé hue. While Souvignier Gris was directly pressed, the Moscato spent a night on the skins, and the Tannat was racked directly after filling into a wooden barrel – and yet, it’s the Tannat that gives the wine its subtle pink tint.