The
motto at the Michael Puff winegrowing estate in Cornaiano is “Keep it chill!”.
The addressee of that instruction is not, however, the founder of the
winegrowing estate of the same name but the vines, some of which are grown in
high grass here: wild shoot distribution, no pruning, and as little defoliation
as possible. “Our method is unconventional, but our ultimate goal is always to
put the vines under as little stress as possible,” says Michael Puff.
And
Michael’s philosophy in the cellar is not much different: his wines are
spontaneously fermented in concrete barrels and then aged for twelve months in
small oak barrels before they go back in the concrete barrels for another six
to nine months. “We are going entirely without fining and filtration in the
bottling process,” says Michael Puff, “so our wine is very much a no-frills
product.”
Michael
Puff founded his own winegrowing estate in Cornaiano/Ronchi in 2020 after
completing vocational training at the Laimburg professional school, some
internships at winegrowing estates and wineries, and conducting experiments at
his own parents’ estate. Today, Michael’s winegrowing estate is based on
locations in Cornaiano/Ronchi and Appiano Monte. He has focused exclusively on
Pinot Noir—and a vision of fresh and new Pinot Noir stylistics.
The
Pinot Noirs from the Michael Puff winegrowing estate bear a dragonfly in the
label that symbolizes elegance, power, and timelessness—and is also at home on
the winegrowing estate.
