Franciacorta
The name Franciacorta already appeared in the Middle Ages (from the Latin francae curtes, “tax-free courts”), and the first vineyards are attested between 1500 and 1600, cultivated by Benedictine monks near Iseo, Provaglio, Adro and Erbusco. Even then, still wines were produced, not yet sparkling.
In 1961, Franco Ziliani, a winemaker from Brescia, convinced Guido Berlucchi, the owner of a historic estate in Borgonato di Cortefranca, to produce a sparkling wine “in the style of Champagne.”
This marked the birth of the first bottle of “Pinot di Franciacorta” Metodo Classico, considered the official beginning of modern Franciacorta.
→ Source: Franciacorta Consortium, Berlucchi official website, Ministry of Agriculture.
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1961 – The first bottle of Franciacorta Classic Method sparkling wine is born, produced by Guido Berlucchi with the oenologist Franco Ziliani. It is the year considered the “official birth” of Franciacorta as we know it today.
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1967 – Franciacorta obtains the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata).
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1995 – It becomes the first area in Italy to receive the DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) for a Classic Method sparkling wine.
Since then, the name Franciacorta has not only indicated the territory, but also the style and method of production: in Italy it is the only sparkling wine that can bear the name of its land as a denomination (a bit like “Champagne” in France).
I have always wondered what had brought me here, to Lake Iseo!
When I first arrived, I was fascinated by the beauty of the landscapes and, at the same time, by their simplicity.
There was something authentic, something sincere, which did not seek to appear, but only to be.
Over time I began to explore the surroundings, step by step, following the roads that climb from the lake into the hills.
That’s when I came across Franciacorta. It was summer, and the vineyards were full of life: the green rows, the sweet smell of grapes in the air, the cellars open to the sun.
I remember thinking:
“If one day I had to live in a different place from this one where I live now, I would like it to be here, in Franciacorta.”
And so it was:)
Franciacorta is this: a perfect balance between elegance and authenticity, between time passing slowly and the desire to enjoy life, one glass at a time.
But your journey doesn’t start here, it starts in Lovere with Luer Prince!
The Luer Prince Lovere is the perfect base for exploring Franciacorta.
In just a 30-minute drive, you can reach the vineyards, villages, and wineries, then return in the evening to the tranquility of the lake, with its unique and unforgettable view.
From the windows of your terraced house, the sunset over Lake Iseo will remind you that the most authentic emotions always come from the simplest places, where the journey begins on the lake and continues among the hills of wine.
Franciacorta, a mosaic of hills, vineyards and historic villages, famous all over the world for its Classic Method bubbles, Franciacorta is not just wine: it is an experience of taste, culture and well-being immersed in Lombard nature.
A journey through the vineyards
The wineries of Franciacorta open their doors to visitors for tours and tastings that reveal the art and patience behind every bottle.
From Berlucchi to Ca’ del Bosco, from Bellavista to Barone Pizzini , and from Contadi Castaldi to Ferghettina, each producer offers a different story, but with one thing in common: a love for the land.
Many wineries are surrounded by paths, meadows and small medieval villages: an invitation to walk, breathe and be inspired.
Experiences to live
A day in Franciacorta is the perfect opportunity for a picnic among the vineyards, lunch at a farmhouse restaurant, a sunset wine tasting with a view of the lake, a horseback ride through the vineyards, and much more.
Art lovers can visit the Romanesque churches in Provaglio or the picturesque village of Erbusco, and for those seeking relaxation, the Franciacorta Thermal Baths offer wellness programs and treatments inspired by the scents of grapevines and grape must.
https://franciacorta.wine/it/territorio/origini/
Vivi la Franciacorta, scopri il Lago d’Iseo, lasciati accogliere da Luer Prince a Lovere
Looking for a place to stay? Read our guide: Where to Stay in Lovere, Areas, and Tips.