At an altitude where people would normally go skiing, some of Europe’s most elegant white wines are born. We are in Cortaccia, in the southern part of Alto Adige. Here, the land tells a centuries-old farming story shaped by hard work and terraces carved out of the rock. Freienfeld takes its name from an ancient historic residence in the village. These high-altitude soils were once considered too difficult for growing vines. Today, the limestone rock face towering above the vineyard acts as a natural radiator. It absorbs the sun’s heat during the day and releases it slowly at night, protecting the vines from frost. The Ora del Garda also plays its part, a warm wind that rises from the lake in the afternoon and dries the bunches. This microclimate creates the ideal difference between day and night temperatures for the development of aromas. This wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, a variety that has found an ideal second home among these peaks. In the Freienfeld cru, the variety leaves behind the overly soft character associated with warmer climates. Instead, it develops an innate elegance, where the richness of the fruit meets a typically Alpine verticality. Cantina Kurtatsch selects the grapes exclusively from the oldest plots, where extremely low yields encourage concentration. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand in small crates. In the winery, fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine then ages for several months on its fine lees. During this period, regular bâtonnage is carried out, a technique involving the stirring of the lees to give the wine greater creaminess. A long period of bottle ageing completes the process before release. Intense straw yellow in colour, with beautiful, bright golden highlights, the nose opens with apple and yellow peach before developing notes of pineapple and citrus fruit. Sweet nuances of toasted hazelnut, vanilla and fresh butter emerge on the finish. On the palate, the opening is full and enveloping. The wine is rich yet remains focused, thanks to its vibrant mineral freshness. Its texture is creamy and leaves the palate clean, with a savoury and persistent finish. Already highly enjoyable today, this Chardonnay also has considerable ageing potential, easily exceeding five to eight years. Its pronounced natural acidity and the structure gained from oak ageing protect the wine over time. As it evolves, it will develop fascinating tertiary notes reminiscent of saffron and dried fruit.