2019 Pfitscher Alto Adige Merlot Riserva Cortazo Brenntal

Tenuta Pfitscher is one of the hidden gems from Alto Adige (Süd Tirol). It is a small family business. Their base is in beautiful Montagna. The family has been making wine since 1861 and from 1940 the focus has been completely on making quality wines, now for 7 generations. Their 17 hectares of vineyards are spread over Montagna, Egna, Cortaccia, Ora and Fiè allo Sciliar. The Pfitscher family stands for clean, lively wines from high-altitude vineyards. The cool climate gives them expression, finesse and their own identity. The name Pfitscher has always been synonymous with a passion for making great wines.

The history of Tenuta Pfitscher goes back more than 160 years. In 1861 the foundation was laid for the current wine estate. Today, it is the youngest two generations that determine the course on the domain. Although, nonno Alfred can still be found daily in the vineyards. He is happy to assist Klaus and Monika Pfitscher and their children Daniel, Hannes and Marion with advice and assistance. And in turn they are more than happy to appeal to him. His wisdom and experience are invaluable to the youngest generation. It's not for nothing that they affectionately call him vecchia volpe, or old fox.

The Pfitschers own about 20 hectares of their own vineyards, all located in Alto Adige. Almost all plots are located south of Bolzano, only the Sauvignon Blanc and Muller-Thürgau grapes grow in a more northeasterly, higher and cooler area (Fiè allo Sciliar). As with most producers in this region, the emphasis is not on one white or one red wine, but a wide range of wines is produced. The white/red ratio is about the same. A local variety such as Lagrein is naturally represented, but Gewürztraminer and Pinot Nero are also widely planted. Impressive results have been achieved for years with the latter grape. Both James Suckling and Falstaff Magazine have praised the wines more than once.

Viticulture in Alto Adige almost always means a labour-intensive method, especially when you operate at the level of the Pfitscher family. They prefer to ignore the lower vineyards; it is precisely the steeper slopes with an optimal zone exposure that are preferred by the Pfitschers. And then they also look for the higher parcels of land. There is no vineyard of theirs below 300 meters sul livello del mare; the highest is even 900 meters above sea level! They like to take for granted that the vineyards are not accessible to tractors and harvesters. All the work in the vineyards, including the harvest, is done manually here. Intensive, but nature and the end result benefit from it!

The grapes grow on impressive steep slopes and sometimes we are asked why a wine has a certain price and then we advise them to see what effort must be made to harvest these beautiful grapes. A nice wine does not come into your glass without effort.