The Extra Brut from Ricci Curbastro, the Capriolo cellar founded in 1885 and now run by Riccardo Ricci Curbastro with his sons Gualberto and Filippo. 32 organic-farmed hectares at Villa Evelina on the Capriolo slopes.
Tip: Combine the cellar tasting with the on-site Ricci Curbastro Agricultural Museum; the 19th and early 20th-century farming-tool collection is part of the visit.
The standard Brut from Vezzoli, the small family cellar on Via Costa Sopra at Erbusco. Five hectares of estate vineyards; the cellar began bottling Franciacorta in 1994 and won gold at CSWWC 2021 and Quattro Rose Camune 2022. Chardonnay-led with Pinot Nero, minimum 24 months on lees.
Tip: The Vezzoli cellar visit is small enough that the family often pours the flight personally; book directly through the cellar website.
The standard Brut from Le Marchesine at Passirano, the Biatta family cellar producing around 550,000 bottles of Franciacorta DOCG a year across 13 labels. Minimum 24 months on lees, Chardonnay-led blend.
Tip: Le Marchesine's Satèn is the broader category benchmark; the cellar door flight pairs it with the Pas Dosé for a structural contrast.
The standard Brut from Quadra at Cologne, the south-western entrance to the DOCG. Founded in 2002 by Ugo Ghezzi and managed by enologist Mario Falcetti. 20 hectares of vineyards; the Q Black Pas Dosé is the cellar's flagship and the standard Brut is the budget-tier entry point. Minimum 24 months on lees.
Tip: Pair a Quadra visit with a hike up Monte Orfano; the cellar sits at the trailhead and the trail offers a vista across the DOCG.
The standard Brut from La Montina, the Bozza brothers cellar at Monticelli Brusati with the 17th-century residence (built 1620 by Benedetto Montini, an ancestor of Pope Paul VI). 70-hectare estate, 8,000 square metres of underground cellars and around 450,000 bottles a year. Minimum 24 months on lees, Chardonnay-led blend.
Tip: Visit during the October Festa dell'Uva weekend; the Brut and the Baiana Pas Dosé are poured side-by-side at the open-cellar tasting.
The Extra Brut from Lantieri (full name Lantieri de Paratico), the noble-family cellar at Capriolo with 22 organic hectares. The family records documented Franciacorta-area viticulture going back to the 10th century.
Tip: The Lantieri cellar tour includes a family-history room covering the 10th-century vineyard records; allow an extra 20 minutes if booking a longer slot.
Comarì del Salem is the entry-tier Brut from Uberti, the family cellar at Erbusco (farming the site since 1793). Named for the Salem quarter where the modern winery building stands.
Tip: Ask for the Sublimis Dosaggio Zero alongside the Comarì for the low-dosage house signature; both bottles share the same base wine.