Innovators with a vision, for 60 years
It is nearly impossible to describe the unique character of Franciacorta without mentioning Franco Ziliani, the winemaker who, together with Guido Berlucchi, altered the destiny of an entire region, transforming it into one of the world’s most prestigious sparkling-wine production areas.
Franco Ziliani intuited that the Franciacorta viticultural area and its distinctive climate offered nonpareil requirements for an unprecedented winemaking project and saw in the refined Guido Berlucchi and his venerable underground cellars the path that could lead to the realization of his ambitious dream: producing an Italian classic method sparkling wine in Franciacorta.
In 1961, Ziliani sealed the first 3,000 bottles of Pinot di Franciacorta, the first classic-method Franciacorta. The results amazed all: here was a sparkling wine with a delicious palate, refined, crisp aromatics, and an obvious capacity for further sensory development.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the winery is today directed by the three children of Founder Ziliani: Cristina, Arturo, and Paolo, who have guided it into the new millennium, ably continuing their father’s mission.
That commitment is centred on innovation and protection of the local environment, and on stewarding a brand recognized throughout the world as synonymous with absolute Franciacorta quality, but also with modern research and deep respect for its growing area, so much so that Guido Berlucchi published in 2020 its first Sustainability Report, available on their website www.berlucchi.it
Iconic Franciacorta maison and highly-respected by international wine critics, Guido Berlucchi stands out for its quality and for the painstaking care with which it produces each bottle. The result is a line of Berlucchi ’61 Franciacortas: the crisp, versatile ’61 Nature, with no dosage and 5 years surlie, and Palazzo Lana, which boasts a full 10 years’ maturation sur lattes.
