Bringing wine back to the heart of the experience: the lesson of “Franciacorta Festival in Cellars”

From being a genuine craze, Italian sparkling wines have become a phenomenon which goes far beyond consumption itself. No longer tied to a particular season, they have been embraced as all-day dining companions, pairing effortlessly with both traditional and contemporary cuisine. Fresh, light, wellness-oriented, enjoyed with or without food pairings - they have become almost a “non-wine” - but they are also a lifestyle phenomenon, coming to embody a way of living. An unmistakably “Italian way of life”, of course: behind their success there are also “sociological” reasons, as they serve as a medium for the conviviality that the entire world envies in Italy, adapting to every occasion, whether gastronomic, celebratory, or simply to toast something special, whether as a couple or among friends. This is why sparkling wines are also perfectly suited to bringing wine back to the center of the experience, as will happen during “Festival Franciacorta in Cantina” - “Franciacorta Festival in the Cellars” (September 18th-20th), the quintessential territory-based event of Italian wine, created by the Consortium of the prestigious Metodo Classico (and a model which has inspired many others). The event offers visitors the opportunity to journey through Franciacorta, meet producers in their open wineries, from Barone Pizzini to Bellavista, from Berlucchi to Bosio, from Ca’ del Bosco to Camilucci, from Castello Bonomi Tenute in Franciacorta to Contadi Castaldi, from Lo Sparviere to Majolini, from Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Montenisa to Monte Rossa, from Mosnel to Muratori, from Ricci Curbastro to Ronco Calino, from Terre d’Aenòr to Villa Franciacorta, to name just a few - and discover firsthand the “Franciacorta Method”, its production history, and the identity of the denomination, bringing together wine, cuisine, nature, culture, and, of course, enjoyment.
The 2026 “Franciacorta Festival in the Cellars” further strengthens its experiential and “educational” vocation, expanding opportunities for learning and exchange through a rich calendar of tastings, tours, and activities in some of the most representative locations of this corner of Lombardy. The entire territory is involved in the event, thanks in part to the Franciacorta Wine Route, which for more than twenty years has promoted the region tourism, cultural, and food-and-wine potential. Alongside the initiatives organized by the wineries, the event also highlights the contribution of restaurants, accommodation providers, and hospitality operators, all taking part with dedicated experiences and special offerings.
Among the new features of the 2026 edition , there is an exhibition dedicated to zoning, first presented during Milan Design Week and now once again open to visitors at the Franciacorta Consortium headquarters in Erbusco. Headed by Emanuele Rabotti and representing more than 200 members, the Consortium will host an exhibition route that explores the relationship between soils, landscape, and interpretations of the Franciacorta Method. The exhibition offers an in-depth look at the factors that define Franciacorta distinctive profile and makes this knowledge accessible to a wider audience. The program will also be enriched by a series of masterclasses organized with the Symposium Academy, a leading educational institution in the wine and gastronomy sectors (September 19th-20th). Representing the Festival most educational dimension, these are not simply guided tastings led by experts such as sommeliers Sara Missaglia, Nicola Bonera, Luca Boccoli, and Simone Bevilacqua. Instead, they are designed to develop greater tasting awareness through discussion, listening, and dialogue with industry professionals. Topics range from Satèn, Franciacorta most elegant and distinctive style, to comparisons between Franciacorta, Champagne, and Prosecco, as well as blind tastings and pairings between Franciacorta and selected cheeses.
Among the festival highlights, the Moretti family, whose roots run deep in this territory, will welcome guests by opening the doors of all its properties. At Bellavista, a guided tour will lead enthusiasts through the winery underground galleries, ending with a tasting of the Alma Assemblage trilogy paired with small culinary creations. The terrace will be transformed into a “House with a View of Franciacorta” where conviviality, fine wines, and good food take center stage (September 19th-20th). The pinnacle of hospitality will be the collaboration with Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli in Verona, the renowned three-Michelin-starred restaurant of chef Giancarlo Perbellini: on September 19th, the winery galleries will host a special evening that brings the spirit of the historic Veronese restaurant to the hills of Bellavista, creating a dialogue between haute cuisine, the estate wines, and the culture of hospitality. On September 20th, lunch will become a celebration of conviviality with “At Giancarlo Perbellini Home,” featuring a winery walk followed by a communal lunch designed around the idea of a large shared table, before moving to the terrace for Filippo Polidori “Wines & Vinyls” experience.
At Contadi Castaldi, through events such as “Hello Sunshine on the Terrace” and “Golden Hour Sound,” the Adro terrace will become a gathering place for sharing experiences, accompanied by sparkling wines and a music lineup featuring Radio Deejay, Human, Splendido Splendente, Mood, Ondagroove, and Awalara. The program also includes guided winery tours and a masterclass dedicated to the identity of Contadi Castaldi led by Gian Luca Uccelli and Chiara Giovoni (September 18th-20th).
On Monte Orfano, the Convent of the Most Holy Annunciation will offer an experience centered on beauty, reflection, and conviviality. Guests will enjoy the contemporary cuisine of Nativo Ortoecarbone paired with Bellavista Franciacorta wines from the Alma Assemblage collection, including the Extra Brut and Rosé expressions, accompanied by live music from the Orange Juice Acoustic Duo. Guided visits to the vineyard, winery, and convent grounds will also give guests the opportunity to discover one of Franciacorta most fascinating locations (September 19th-20th).
And while Brunch at Quintale (September 19th), an event dedicated to the flavors of contemporary cuisine paired with Contadi Castaldi wines in an informal and convivial setting, will celebrate food and wine, the Le Brede vineyard, at the foot of Villa Lechi, will host 1 Km of Canvas (September 20th), a project promoted by the Pro Loco of Erbusco and the Vittorio and Mariella Moretti Foundation. Here, 30 meters of canvas will become the foundation of a truly collective artwork through five creative ateliers led by Barbara Prenka, Luca Cremona, Giovanni Stefano Rossi, Mattia Varini and Tina Moretti. The initiative has been curated by Edoardo Monti, founder and curator of the Palazzo Monti artist residency in Brescia, and Valentina Moretti, Vice President of Terra Moretti Holding and coordinator of the family foundation, together with her sisters Carmen and Francesca. The resulting work will ultimately be shaped by the people who create it.
“Where the earth meets the stars” is the common thread running through the events at Castello Bonomi, the historic estate managed by the Paladin family and the only château in Franciacorta. The aim is to introduce visitors to the unique world of the Lucrezia Riservas, Franciacorta wines produced exclusively in outstanding vintages and representing the estate most prestigious labels. The program will also preview Lucrezia Etichetta Nera 2004, an exceptionally rare Riserva produced in only 250 bottles and aged on its lees for more than twenty years, scheduled for release in October. The program ranges from a convivial aperitif dinner (September 18th) on the exclusive loggia overlooking the estate vineyards, featuring chef Alberto Bittu and some of the finest Franciacorta wines, to “A Star Across Time” (September 19th-20th), an exclusive guided tasting journey dedicated to the Lucrezia Riservas and led by the winery oenologist. The experience includes tasting stops at the Villino, featuring Chardonnay and Lucrezia Etichetta Bianca 2011, and on the Terraces, where Pinot Noir and Lucrezia Etichetta Nera 2011 will be served. For the first time, the Castle Park will also be open to the public, offering a tasting of Lucrezia Etichetta Nera Magnum 2009 beneath its majestic cedar tree. The final stop will be the winery vault, where the precious Riservas are carefully stored. Each day, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy lunches prepared by local chefs, including Alberto Bittu L’Arte in Cucina and Hostaria Dolce Vita, paired with a glass of Franciacorta Cuvée 2022. Various guided tours and tasting experiences will also be available, ranging from vineyard visits to tours of the historic winery, including the Islands of Flavor experience featuring oysters, Parma ham, and other delicacies designed to satisfy every palate.
This is how Franciacorta today represents a true “outsider” in the world of Italian wine: as the first Metodo Classico sparkling wine produced in Italy and the first to obtain DOCG status, it is the expression of a small territory of just over 3,000 hectares of vineyards in the heart of Lombardy. It is also the standard-bearer of Metodo Classico sparkling wine category which, despite being one of the finest achievements of Italian winemaking, still represents a relatively small share of Italy vast wine production. Its exports account for “only” 12% of total sales - with the domestic market remaining by far the most important. Nevertheless, Franciacorta is a leading player, with 18.9 million bottles produced in 2025 and an estimated turnover of around 500 million euros. At the same time, Franciacorta continues to enjoy strong momentum for future growth - the integration of the native Erbamat grape variety and the mapping of 134 Additional Geographical Units (Ugas) mark a shift toward precision viticulture capable of addressing the challenges of climate change. Meanwhile, the denomination continues to strengthen its position in the premium segment, with the average bottle price reaching 24.45 euros, while increasingly emphasizing the ageing potential that consumers are now seeking in Italy finest sparkling wines.