A new Italian producer joins Fells

Introducing Fells Pfitscher

If you were lucky enough to have joined us at our Annual Portfolio Tasting a couple of weeks ago you’d have come across a couple of brands so new to the Fells family we hadn’t even mentioned them yet.

One was Bordeaux’s magnificent Clarence Dillon, which was one of the best-attended tables of the day (could it have been the 1986 Haut-Brion they brought along?)

But the other – which we repeatedly heard glowing praise for as the day went on – was our brand-new Italian producer, Tenuta Pfitscher.

Over 150 years scaling the heights

There can’t be many more spectacular places to grow grapes and make wine than northern Italy’s Alto Adige.

We’re in properly Alpine territory here – and the vineyards reflect it. Just looking at the absurdly steep slopes of their six vineyard territories across South Tyrol is enough to make you feel dizzy. Never mind the labour of actually tending those vines and bringing the grapes in.

But it makes for one of those places that transforms itself so perfectly in the glass. When it comes to freshness, elegance, precision, the wines of Alto Adige are world-beaters.

And Pftischer has been at the forefront of the region’s renaissance over the last few decades.

They’ve been at it for over 150 years now. In their words: ‘ Montagna is in the Bassa Atesina, and the Bassa Atesina is wine country! We couldn’t do anything else.’

But around 40 years ago, Klaus Pfitscher realised Alto Adige’s potential for achieving a different level of quality, and ever since then – now joined by the next generation of Daniel, Hannes and Marion – fine wine has been the Pfitscher’s dedicated focus.

Pristine whites and Pinot Nero with soul

The Alto Adige combination of sunlight, slopes and cool climate is perfect when it comes to white wines with scintillating aromatics, refreshing minerality and absolute precision.

They certainly drew admiring comments from everyone who tasted them at the Portfolio Tasting.

But the family’s Pinot Neros might be even more showstopping. Pinot Noir finds a perfect home – or is that perfect homes? – in the diverse soils and aspects the family works with across South Tyrol. Detailed, perfumed, complex creations that revel in the nuances this grape conjures like no other.

Welcome to the Fells family

We’ve been enormously lucky in the last half a year to welcome so many new additions to our Portfolio.

Pfitscher continues that streak with aplomb. A superb family winery from a region we’ve had our eye on for years.

The wines will soon be arriving with us – and this is a perfect time of year to enjoy them. In the meantime, join us in welcoming Pfitscher to the Fells family … and if you weren’t able to join us at the Portfolio tasting, enjoy this short video we made with Daniel Pfitscher by way of a quick ‘hello’.