NeighbourhoodMonticelli Brusati
Tip: The contemporary art collection inside the underground cellars is part of the visit; allow extra time for the gallery walk.
More wine festivals in Franciacorta
Verona (75 km east of Franciacorta)
Vinitaly at Veronafiere is the major annual Italian wine trade fair, held in Verona about 75 km east of Franciacorta. The Franciacorta consortium and the appellation's marquee producers run pavilion programming and Brescia cellar visits on either side of the fair week. Many Franciacorta cellars open extended tasting slots for buyers and journalists who extend their stay to take in the Brescia hills.
Tip: Buyers can pair a morning at Vinitaly with an afternoon tasting in Franciacorta; the drive from Verona to Erbusco runs about 1 hour without traffic.
Brescia and the Franciacorta cellars
The Mille Miglia Storica classic-car rally starts in Brescia each June and the route passes through the Franciacorta cellars on its way to and from Rome.
Tip: The rally fills hotel rooms in Brescia and on the lakeside; book accommodation two months ahead if visiting Franciacorta during the Mille Miglia week.
Iseo
The Iseo Lake summer music and tasting programme runs across late June and early July with concerts on the Iseo promenade and Franciacorta tasting stands paired with the evening shows.
Tip: The concerts are ticketed but the Franciacorta tasting tents on the promenade run open admission; check the Iseo Lake events portal for the current schedule.
Erbusco and the wider DOCG
Festival Franciacorta in Cantina is the consortium-organised open-cellar weekend across the Franciacorta DOCG. Around 60 producers open their cellars for guided tastings, vineyard walks and producer-led pours over a Saturday and Sunday in mid-September. The event coincides with the late Chardonnay and Erbamat harvest window, so visitors often see the press lines running.
Tip: Buy the festival pass in advance through the consortium portal; weekend slots at the marquee Erbusco cellars (Ca' del Bosco, Bellavista, Berlucchi) fill within hours of booking opening.
Erbusco, Adro, Provaglio d'Iseo and Passirano
Vendemmia in Cantina opens the autumn open-cellar series, with consortium producers running guided cellar tours and harvest-time tastings during the early-September Chardonnay picking.
Tip: Vendemmia weekend slots often include a base-wine tank tasting; ask the cellar when booking whether the slot includes the press-line walkthrough.
See every wine festivals pick in Franciacorta →
Taste your way around Franciacorta while you are in town
Festa dell'Uva at La Montina, Monticelli Brusati runs in October. These are the wine tours and tastings in Franciacorta to book for the days around it; most cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.
Guided tour2 hours5.0 from 4 reviewsfrom €25
Explore the Ferghettina winery with a guided visit. Choose between a classic or reserve tasting, each paired with local specialties.
Guided tour1h 30m5.0 from 4 reviewsfrom €54
Discover an authentic experience in Franciacorta with a visit to the winery, wine tasting and local food tasting, guided directly by a family of producers.
Guided tour1 day4.9 from 36 reviewsfrom €33
Discover Franciacorta on a tour of vineyards and a historic cellar, and taste three excellent Mirabella wines accompanied by artisanal products.
See all 135 bookable experiences in Franciacorta