I heard the news today that  Franz Haas from Trentino-Alto-Adige had a heart attack and died over the weekend. It was a real surprise and made me sad. I didn’t know him well but  I did have the pleasure of meeting and talking to  Franz through the years because a friend, Bruna, had worked with him. I got invited to his annual dinners at Vinitaly as well and they were often a marathon experience. I think the name of the restaurant was Bottega del Tortellino.

Franz was the seventh generation Franz Haas to run the family winery. His son is also named Franz. The Haas family has been in the wine business since 1880. They currently have 55 hectares in different locations and at a variety of altitudes from 240 meters above sea level to 1,150 meters above sea level.

Haas has had his labels done by artist Riccardo Schweizer.
Meeting Franz was really a delight and his wines are truly some of my favorites from Italy, both red and white, which is no small feat. Don’t pass up the opportunity to try his wines whenever you get the chance. I am sorry I will not see him again and listen to his explanations of his creations but his legacy lives on in his wines.