A Long Weekend in Franciacorta, Italy

Hotel:

No hotel in the area compares to L’Albereta. A Relais & Chateaux property, this 19th century neo-renaissance villa sits up on a hill overlooking vineyards, with walls covered in ivy and fragrant jasmine. It is boutique in size with just 53 rooms, and offers an award-winning spa, three restaurants, an indoor and outdoor pool and incredible service and hospitality.

Wineries:

There are over 100 wineries in the small area of Franciacorta, so it’s no easy task to narrow down which ones to visit. We chose a large producer, a small producer and asked our hotel for a recommendation.

Bellavista Winery is one of the largest wineries in the area, one of the few that exports to the USA, and conveniently located just down the hill from L’Albereta. We enjoyed a tour of the winery and cellars followed by the Terroir tasting of 3 Bellavista wines — two Franciacortas and one Curtefranca, a still white. The trailing thunderstorms in the area did not allow us to enjoy our tasting outside in the modern courtyard overlooking the vineyards, but the tasting loft was cozy and intimate.

Ronco Calino is an organic producer with only 24 acres of vineyards led by a small team of young people dedicated to preserving the traditional methods and integrity of Franciacorta. We chose the Crescendo tasting — three Franciacortas served with parmigiano reggiano cheese in the winery’s gorgeous reception and tasting room.

Bersi Serlini was recommended by our hotel, L’Albereta, for good reason. The original wine cellar dates back to the middle ages and has been incorporated into a more modern building on the winery property that both preserves and showcases a fresco from that period that is still visible on the ancient stone walls. The Esclusiva Millesimati tasting here included four Franciacortas, one of which was a Riserva label, and a generous portion of stuzzichini (snacky appetizers) to accompany the wines.

Restaurants:

When choosing our dining for this trip, we prioritized restaurants with tasting menus that were located a convenient distance from L’Albereta. When paired with a Sommelier wine selection, tasting menus allow for an adventurous approach to trying new foods or familiar ones in a new way.

Dispensa Franciacorta - Both a wine bar and a restaurant, Dispensa Franciacorta serves traditional dishes with a modern twist

Due Colombe - Incredible tasting menus and a unique setting in a deconsecrated church, not to mention the one Michelin Star

Leonefelice Vista Lago - One of the dining options at L’Albereta and open for lunch and dinner with sweeping views of Lago Iseo

Activities:

Franciacorta isn’t just about the wine. This area has ample activities for all kinds of travelers. We spent an entire day at Lago Iseo, Italy’s fourth largest lake by taking the ferry out to Monte Isola, the largest of the lake’s three islands, for a shoreline walk and lunch. The lake also offers all the traditional water activities like sailing, boating, fishing, etc.

For the land lovers, biking, walking and trekking are popular activities in the area not only as means to follow the Franciacorta Wine Trail but also to enjoy the hills and all the views they afford of Lago Iseo and the northernmost edge of the Po Valley.

For golfers, there’s Franciacorta Golf Club that is open to the public, and for lovers of history, there are numerous castles and other historical sites in the area that are open for visitors like the Monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa and the Benedictine Olivetan Abbey of Saints Nicola and Paolo VI.

All wineries in this area require reservations for visits and tastings. Be sure to book these in advance.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Italy. In need of further inspiration? Check out Gillian Spatz’s guide, Things to Do in Pisa, Italy.