Antica Fratta

"El cantinù"In the regional dialect, the locals reverently called this plant in the hills between the Lago d'Iseo and Brescia at Franciacorta. Literally translated: the giant cellar. It is almost a tunnel system that Cavaliere Luigi Rossetti dug into the rocks of the hills behind his house more than 150 years ago. The cellar tubes form a Greek cross and have a capacity of six thousand hectolitres of wine. An enormous amount for that time. From the old farmhouse, which probably came from the 16th century, he formed a stately villa and conducted a considerable wine trade here. All this splendour faded after the death of the wealthy owner and the property changed hands several times.

It was not until 1979 that the once flourishing estate was breathed back into life. Franco Zilliani, with the Guido Berlucchi winery probably one of the most important driving forces in the entire Franciacorta area, discovered the run-down estate. The cellar impressed him beyond all measure and so he planned with his team a gentle renovation of villa, cellars and vineyards. The Chardonnay (70%) and Pinot Nero grape varieties dominate, which can be vinified using the most modern methods and are then left to mature and rest in the traditional cellars. The name is supposed to recall the past time, Antica Fratta could be literally translated as "Old undergrowth" Translate. In dialect, however, it was rather the overgrown, old estate that was meant, which nature had already partly reclaimed.

Today, the claim is made here that the "Essence of Franciacorta" which is quite realistic on the Alluvian soils with a high lime content. Mineral base wines become elegant spumanti by means of the classical so-called champagne method (metodo classico), which are regularly celebrated in the highest tones in the wine critique. Perfectionist and in love with every detail, we not only work in the vineyard and vinification, but also in the exclusive bottle and packaging. The artistic capsules are more popular with collectors than some champagne capsules. SUPERIORE.DE