Nestled in the foothills of the Alps about an hour north of Milan and east of Lake Como, the Franciacorta wine region is a delightful destination. You’ll find it to the west of the city of Brescia at the southern end of beautiful Lake Iseo, one of the smaller lakes in the Italian Lakes region. The Franciacorta region officially consists of 19 towns within Lombardy’s Brescia province.
One of the most common historical reasons given for the regions’ name is based on the order of monks, called corti. They originally inhabited the area and cultivated the land and were granted exemption (franche) from paying taxes.
Though perhaps not as well-known as northern Italy’s other star sparkling wine, prosecco, Franciacorta is well worth seeking out. Part of this is since most of the production is consumed within Italy, rather than being exported. Explore the region’s wineries, with excellent fine dining restaurants and the charms of Lake Isola. This includes Monte Isola, the largest island lake in Italy. Visit this stunning region and enjoy a tasting as part of our “Italian Lakes and Swiss Mountains Small Group Journey”.
Getting to Know the Wine
Franciacorta gets its flavours from its unique terrain. Lake Iseo is one of the glacial lakes in the region. The composition of the land, with its limestone, minerals and clay within the soil help create the tastes inherent in the sparkling wine of Franciacorta.
Franciacorta as a wine is relatively young. Having first been produced by Guido Berlucci in 1961. But it has grown rapidly in terms of its international reputation. Franciacorta is made using the same classic production method as champagne. The second fermentation is done within the bottle, distinguishing it from prosecco, which undergoes its second fermentation in steel tanks.
The wine is made of three main grapes; Pinot Nero, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco. Sampling these fine wines and visiting the wineries that make them in these beautiful bucolic settings near Lake Iseo make for a wonderful day or multiple days’ outing as part of your adventures in the Lakes region.
Things to See and Do in Franciacorta
Visitors can travel the so-called Franciacorta Wine Route, which was established in 2000 to promote wine tourism in the region. There are over 100 wineries large and small scattered throughout the region, best explored by car with a private driver.
The Festival of Franciacorta also started in the year 2000 and takes place annually in mid-September. Many wineries offer guided tours and special food packages during the festival.
Sampling the Wine and Cuisine of the Franciacorta Region
Be sure to visit the Berlucchi winery, where the first Franciacorta sparkling wine was made in 1961. Here you can visit the magnificent 16th century Palazzo Lana with its ornate decoration, frescoes, and antique furniture. Admirers of contemporary art will want to combine their wine tasting with visiting the art collections at the Ca’ del Bosco and Bellavista wineries.
Discovering Lake Iseo
Explore the towns along the shores of Lake Iseo. Take a boat ride on the Lake to Monte Isola. Have a delicious meal of the local fish at a scenic lakeside restaurant and learn something about the local fishing industry. Locals make fishing nets and specialise in catching and preserving sardines. There’s even a one-room fishing net museum on the island! There are no cars allowed, so consider renting a bike to pedal around and enjoy the views.
Dining and Lodging
Pair your Franciacorta wine with savoury local dishes at Due Colombe, a one-star Michelin restaurant. Or perhaps enjoy a meal overlooking the lake on Monte Isola at Locanda al Lago. Lake Iseo offers up fresh fish that appears on area restaurant menus, including tench, char, and pike, along with sardines. Should you wish to spend a night in the area to continue your explorations, the top local choice is L’Albereta, a Relais & Chateaux hotel with a restaurant with scenic terrace, sculpture garden and wellness spa set amidst the vineyards of the Franciacorta region.
Exploring the Franciacorta wine region is one of the most enjoyable adventures you can have while visiting the Italian Lakes Region. Having a car and driver will afford you the ultimate flexibility in visiting the wineries along the Franciacorta Wine Route and the charming towns and villages along the shores of picturesque Lake Iseo.
