DOCG FranciacortaChardonnay, Pinot Nero22 haFounded 1989Cavicchioli family / Monogram groupCazzago San Martino
Founded in 1989 in the Calino quarter of Cazzago San Martino, 300 metres above sea level on a moraine hill. The estate takes its name from a former castle owned by Colonel Umberto Faglia.
Tasting: Visit by appointment to the Calino-quarter cellar on the moraine hill at 300 metres above sea level. Flight of Grand Brut, Extra Brut, Satèn, Rosé and Millesimato.
Signature wines: castel-faglia-grand-brut, castel-faglia-extra-brut, castel-faglia-saten, castel-faglia-rose, castel-faglia-millesimato
Tip: The Calino-hill viewpoint from the cellar's terraced rows is one of the appellation's clearer south-facing vistas; ask the host to walk it before the tasting.
DOCG Franciacorta / DOC CurtefrancaChardonnay, Pinot Nero11 haFounded 1975Alberti family (Camilla and Francesco Alberti, grandchildren of founders Renato and Elena)Monticelli Brusati
Founded in 1975 by Renato and Elena Alberti; now run by grandchildren Camilla and Francesco. The Monticelli Brusati cellar produces around 70,000 bottles a year across 8 labels including both Franciacorta and Curtefranca DOC still wines.
Tasting: Visit by appointment (English and German spoken) to the Monticelli Brusati cellar with a flight of Brut, Satèn, Rosé and Curtefranca DOC Bianco / Rosso.
Signature wines: castelveder-brut, castelveder-saten, castelveder-rose, castelveder-curtefranca-bianco, castelveder-curtefranca-rosso
Tip: Castelveder bottles both Curtefranca Bianco and Curtefranca Rosso alongside Franciacorta; ask for a 6-glass flight that covers the full house range.
DOCG Franciacorta / DOC CurtefrancaChardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco32 haFounded 1997Majolini family (cousins Simone and Giovanni Majolini, third generation)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDOme
Modern Majolini operation founded in 1997 under Valentino's sons, now run by his grandchildren Simone and Giovanni. The cellar is excavated from the rock and grass-roofed to blend into the wooded north-eastern Franciacorta slopes at Ome. Organic certification across the estate, around 150,000 bottles a year across 12 labels.
Tasting: Visit by appointment to the rock-cut, grass-roofed cellar at Ome, terraced-vineyard walk and a flight of Brut, Satèn, Rosé and the Riserva line.
Signature wines: majolini-brut, majolini-saten, majolini-rose, majolini-aligi-sassu, majolini-electo-riserva
Tip: The Aligi Sassu label (named for the Sardinian painter who designed the artwork) is the cellar's most-collected bottle; pair the visit with a stop at Al Rocol's agriturismo restaurant in the same village.
DOCG Franciacorta / DOC Curtefranca / IGT SebinoChardonnay, Pinot Nero13 haFounded 1995Castellini family (founded by Gina Castellini)Ome
Family-run agriturismo founded in 1995 by Gina Castellini. 13 hectares at Ome with on-site agriturismo (25 beds), swimming pool, farm restaurant and wine-trekking trails. Direct-to-consumer sales only, around 65,000 bottles a year across 9 labels.
Tasting: Agriturismo visit at Ome with cellar tour, vineyard walk and a flight of Brut, Satèn, Rosé and the Curtefranca DOC Bianco / Rosso. 25 guest beds, swimming pool and farm restaurant on site; wine-trekking and family activities available.
Signature wines: al-rocol-brut, al-rocol-saten, al-rocol-rose, al-rocol-curtefranca-bianco, al-rocol-curtefranca-rosso
Tip: Best paired as a half-day stop: cellar visit plus farm lunch with the family's polenta and Curtefranca Rosso.
DOCG FranciacortaChardonnay, Pinot Nero20 haFounded 2002Ghezzi family (founded by Ugo Ghezzi); managed by enologist Mario FalcettiCologne
Founded in 2002 by Ugo Ghezzi at Cologne, the south-western entrance to the DOCG; managed by enologist Mario Falcetti. 20 hectares of vineyards, around 160,000 bottles a year. The Q Black Pas Dosé is the cellar's flagship low-dosage bottling.
Tasting: Visit by appointment to the modern cellar at Cologne, vineyard walk on the Monte Orfano slopes and a flight of Brut, Satèn, Rosé and Riserva. Disabled access, pet-friendly, English spoken.
Signature wines: quadra-brut, quadra-saten, quadra-rose, quadra-q-black-pas-dose, quadra-riserva
Tip: Pair a Quadra visit with a hike up Monte Orfano; the cellar is at the trailhead.
DOCG FranciacortaChardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco45 haFounded 1979Schiavi familyORGANIC CERTIFIEDPassirano
Schiavi family-run cellar founded in 1979 in a converted 1940s wine cooperative building. 45 organic hectares with one of the appellation's larger Pinot Bianco footprints (around a quarter of plantings). Around 350,000 bottles a year across 9 labels.
Tasting: Visit by appointment to the former 1940s cooperative building at Saiano. Vineyard walk through the 45 organic hectares (around a quarter planted to Pinot Bianco), with a flight of Brut, Satèn, Demetra Riserva and Anteo single vineyard.
Signature wines: mirabella-brut, mirabella-saten, mirabella-demetra-riserva, mirabella-anteo, mirabella-rose
Tip: The Pinot Bianco focus is unusual; ask for the Anteo single-vineyard bottling that leans most heavily on the variety.
