Franciacorta Producers

Founded in 1977 by Vittorio Moretti in Erbusco, Bellavista is widely regarded as Franciacorta’s benchmark producer — the estate most likely to convert a Champagne drinker. Part of the larger Terre Moretti group, it farms around 185 hectares of vineyards spread across the denomination, with winemaking guided by a Burgundian-influenced philosophy.

Founded in 1979 by Maurizio Zanella in Erbusco, Ca’ del Bosco has been part-owned by the Santa Margherita group since 1994, though Zanella has remained its creative and winemaking force. He is credited with introducing meticulous sorting tables and small-barrel maturation to Franciacorta — advances inspired by time spent in Burgundy and Champagne.

Castello di Gussago sits on Monte della Santissima in the municipality of Gussago, on a site with roots stretching back to Roman and Longobard settlement. Founded in 2005 by the Gozio family, the estate farms 20 hectares across two distinct terroirs: high-altitude clay-limestone soils near an old convent, and elevated moraine soils particularly suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Nero. Production is deliberately limited to around 90,000 Franciacorta bottles per year, with a focus on environmental stewardship through the Ita.Ca sustainability certification. The range spans zero-dosage, Satèn, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Riserva, and Rosé expressions, alongside Curtefranca DOC still wines.

Founded in 1987 in Adro, Contadi Castaldi is a sister brand to Bellavista within the Terre Moretti group and shares the same technical team. The wines lean toward freshness and accessibility rather than complexity — they are the gateway recommendation for a friend new to the category.

Founded in 1991 by Roberto Gatti in Adro, Ferghettina is a relative newcomer that has established a strong reputation for honest, well-priced Franciacorta. The estate farms around 65 hectares of calcareous-clay soils, and exports are now handled by Roberto’s daughter Laura Gatti.

Without Berlucchi there would be no Franciacorta. In 1961, estate owner Guido Berlucchi and young winemaker Franco Ziliani produced the first sparkling wine made by the traditional method in the region. That act of ambition became the founding moment of the entire appellation, and the DOCG that followed 34 years later. Today Berlucchi is the largest producer in Franciacorta, making around 4 million bottles per year, now run by the third generation of the Ziliani family (Cristina, Paolo, and Franco Jr.).

Founded in 1972 by Emanuele Rabotti in Bornato di Cazzago San Martino, Monte Rossa is a connoisseur’s choice — well-regarded among those who know Franciacorta, but still largely under the radar in the UK. The estate is now run by the second generation, Paolo and Paola Rabotti.