The Most Elegant Form of Sparkling Wine: Franciacorta
Franciacorta in Lombardy, Italy’s first sparkling wine region using the champagne method, enchants visitors with its rolling vineyards and tasting tours.
With the arrival of autumn, the grape harvest begins, and vineyards burst into life. It’s a season when travelers can witness the artistry of winemaking firsthand, joining tours organized by leading producers both local and international. But today, let us take you beyond the typical wine routes to a destination where you can indulge in a remarkable vacation while discovering Italy’s most refined sparkling wines.
Franciacorta lies just an hour from Milan, where the cool embrace of Lake Iseo meets the gentle climate of the Alpine foothills. Stretching across 200 square kilometers near Brescia, the region captivates not only with its natural beauty but also with its pioneering spirit in sparkling wine production. Its name originates from the Francae Curtes, medieval monastery lands exempt from taxes, and wine has been woven into its fabric since the 11th century. In fact, Girolamo Conforti’s 1570 writings describing the area’s wines as “mordaci” (lively, effervescent) stand as an early testament to its legacy.
Modern Franciacorta owes much to visionaries such as Franco Ziliani, whose expertise transformed it into the symbol of a wine revolution — where tradition embraces innovation. Vineyards brimming with Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco grapes form the foundation of Franciacorta’s sparkling excellence. Produced with a method akin to Champagne’s second fermentation, Franciacorta boasts a drier, more yeasty complexity than Italy’s other sparkling icon, Prosecco.
And yet, Franciacorta is surprisingly youthful. The first sparkling bottle here was only produced in 1961, marking it as Italy’s first wine made with the champagne method — now celebrated under the name Metodo Franciacorta. Perhaps it is this youthful vigor that gives the region’s wineries their authenticity: tours are guided not by slick marketers but by passionate vintners eager to share every detail of their craft. Tastings often take place not in grand salons but right among the vines. Tour buses and noisy crowds are rare. And when you’ve had your fill of wine cellars, the region offers an abundance of pleasures to explore.
Franciacorta’s Michelin-starred restaurants rival its medieval churches in number. Rustic trattorias serve local delicacies like salted lake sardines, while Lake Iseo’s serene shores provide both relaxation and adventure. Cheerful boatmen whisk visitors across the sparkling waters to enchanting islands: Monte Isola, with its fishing villages and 17th-century chapel, or Isola di San Paolo, home to the centuries-old estate of the Beretta family.
Where to Stay
L’Albereta
A Relais & Châteaux gem surrounded by vineyards, L’Albereta elevates the concept of hospitality into an art form. Its rooms exude timeless Italian elegance, while its wellness center is among the finest in the region.
The true highlight? Morning coffee on the terrace, with the shimmering blue of Lake Iseo glistening in the distance.
Relais Franciacorta
Once a farmhouse dating back to 1670, this retreat is set within a 60,000-square-meter park ringed by vineyards.
Rooms overlook either the lake or the gardens, each styled with understated Italian charm. The on-site restaurant celebrates seasonal local produce paired, of course, with Franciacorta’s finest.
Where to Eat
Due Colombe
Housed in a centuries-old stone building, this Michelin-starred restaurant is helmed by chef Stefano Cerveni.
Traditional Brescia dishes are reimagined with contemporary flair — think saffron risotto or lake fish served with refined elegance. Every plate is thoughtfully paired with the region’s finest sparkling wines.
Cadebasi
In Erbusco, Cadebasi combines intimacy with refinement, offering classic recipes with modern interpretations. Its expert wine pairings showcase the diversity of Franciacorta’s producers.
Il Giardino
Set within a historic villa, Il Giardino marries rustic warmth with sophistication. Seasonal menus highlight regional flavors, and the garden-side tables allow guests to dine with the breeze from Lake Iseo at their side.
Though not Michelin-starred, the impeccable service and atmosphere make it a must for discerning food lovers.
Tasting Stops
Ca’del Bosco
A true temple of wine, Ca’del Bosco fuses modern architecture with art, housing vast underground cellars and immersive tasting rooms.
From vineyard walks to cellar rituals, every tour feels ceremonial. The Cuvée Prestige and Annamaria Clementi series stand out as masterpieces of refinement.
Bellavista
Here, panoramic vineyard views frame tastings that highlight every stage of production. Special series like Gran Cuvéeand Vittorio Moretti embody the very definition of elegance. The gardens, dotted with sculptures, add to the sense of artistry.
Barone Pizzini
As Franciacorta’s first certified organic producer, Barone Pizzini champions sustainability and low-intervention techniques. Tasting its Animante and Nature series reveals the pure terroir-driven character that defines this house.
