Last month we visited Ca' del Bosco in Franciacorta, Lombardia, Italy. It may have been the most impressive winery facility that I have yet seen. Many thanks to our tour guide and host Gloria who was knowledgeable and personal and patient with us. Also thanks to Riccardo Filippo Milesi and Constance Chamberlin of the Franciacorta Consortium for their help arranging the tour with working with the winery on the details. A quick aside. Back in 2007 I wrote an article about Franciacorta which can be found here: https://www.intowine.com/franciacorta-italy%E2%80%99s-sparkling-wine-answer-champagne
Ever since then the Consortium has kept in touch and let me know about happenings and invited me to some. Living across the world, I have been unable to visit until last May. Sadly, we were on our way back to the Milan airport and only had time for one stop. That was at Ca' del Bosco.
First, the grounds are beautiful with flower gardens, covered bridges and even a helipad. In addition, there is Art everywhere. They have a real commitment to Art and the artists. The general pattern seems to be the find an artist, suggest a loose topic consistent with the space and then stand back and let them go at it. Of course, all of that has nothing really to do with the wine but there again, its not just that they spare no expense, it is the approach they take to making the best wine possible. Keeping traditions while experimenting where needed. They approach winemaking as a series of problems and solutions. From washing the grapes as they come in from harvest to remove impurities to figuring out how to dry them without damaging the grapes.
But, it doesn't stop there. The winery is built for people to experience the entire process. From a series of sensory rooms isolating the components by senses. Hearing the wine from planting to drinking. Smelling the components. Touch the soil. And then an installation that simulates being in a Sparkling wine bottle and being poured out. Almost like a wine theme park. So impressive. We spent almost five hours at the winery! Finally, we tasted three levels of their sparkling wines. My tasting notes can be found here: https://www.intowine.com/reviews?region=&varietal=&uid=Loren+Sonkin&score=&grade=All&vintage%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=&search=bosco&before=2025-06-06&after=2025-06-01&sort_by=created&sort_order=ASC The wines are excellent and fairly priced for the quality.
If you are ever in or close to Lombardia, a visit is highly recommended. The pictures below give some examples but as is usually the case, they don't do it justice. Hopefully, we will get back there and visit some other wineries as well as a return visit.
