Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience wine-producers and Consortium members reveal their favourite places and hidden gems in the Franciacorta region Whether you’re travelling close to home or further afield recommendations from locals often lead to surprising and rewarding discoveries we’ve asked some of the region’s local experts for their favourite touring itineraries and places to visit between Brescia and Lake Iseo in order to make your trip to the Franciacorta region even more enjoyable Our list of routes exploring the region’s art, natural landscapes, and food and ine starts with suggestions from Silvano Brescianini, President of the Franciacorta Consortium who chooses the evocative Torbiere del Sebino (peat bogs) as “an ideal place for a walk while a visit to the old Maglio di Ome forge is also interesting as it represents an important piece of iron-working history in our valleys Also worth exploring is the secluded route from Ome to Monticelli as well as the road from Timoline to Provaglio I would suggest that visitors to our region sample the three very different types of cuisine served here which include recipes inspired by lake fish produce from Rovato market and typical spit-roasted dishes from Gussago” A visit to the Stella di Gussago sanctuary, “a peaceful and restful place”, is one of the first recommendations offered by Riccardo Scalvinoni, the chef at Il Colmetto restaurant which has been awarded a Michelin Green star: “Franciacorta has a longstanding arts and crafts tradition and my advice is to stop and talk to people who work here the roads that wend their way through the Monterotondo and Borgonato vineyards are among the most beautiful in the region while interesting places to visit include the Olivetana di San Nicola abbey in Rodengo Saiano and the botanical gardens in Ome where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll among the conifer trees” the region’s natural landmarks are of particular geo-historical interest: “From Monte Alto and the Madonna del Corno concentric arches can be seen on the hills that mark the limit reached by different ice ages The Mindel glacial stage (480 000-350 000 years ago) has left a moraine deposit on which the villages of Erbusco Cazzago San Martino and Paderno Franciacorta stand today; the frontal moraine of the Riss ice age (240 000-150 000 years ago) includes the villages of Corte Franca and Provaglio d’Iseo while the Wurm ice age (120 000-11 000 years ago) resulted in the moraine between Clusane Geological history and a unique microclimate are distinctive features of this geographical region and according to Camilla Alberti, President of the Franciacorta Wine Route these natural features can be admired at the Gaina waterfalls in Monticelli Brusati and from the fitness trail on the Monte della Madonna: “Here after walking through woodlands of oak and sweet chestnuts you reach the 14C Santuario della Madonna della Rosa which stands at the most panoramic point on the Monte della Madonna hill I would suggest the old Valeriana road which follows the meanders of the Gandovere stream into the Ome region a historic hamlet with historic mills that have been in operation since the 12C The route continues into the Parco delle Querce di Ome as far as Fratta and Fontana which is home to the 15C Church of San Zenone” Alberti concludes by saying “we have invested heavily in marketing and signage for the Wine Route – we’ve mapped out six cycling itineraries and the same number of hiking routes all of which can be downloaded from the franciacorta.wine website As part of the Bergamo Brescia 2023 Capital of Culture project we are also creating a programme that will showcase the artistic and cultural heritage of the region in association with the ‘Terra della Franciacorta’ organisation” also recommends exploring the Sebino peat bog as well as a visit to the Vino Ricci Curbastro museum and a cycle ride along the route from Brescia to Paratico: “Following the old Roman road you’ll enjoy scenic views as well as discover an area steeped in Roman renowned for its production of wooden vessels which play such an important role in the lake’s history I should mention that Monte Isola is also famous for gastronomic products such as salami extra-virgin olive oil and dried sardines” Giornalista dal 2004 con Laurea e Master in Storia e Relazioni Internazionali presso la LSE visita i sette continenti e approfondisce ogni giorno la sua passione per cucina hotellerie di charme e tradizioni del territorio italiano From listening bars to neighbourhood restaurants explore all the top recommendations from Chishuru’s Adejoké Bakare One of the most prominent chefs serving Indian cuisine talks India and his New York these splurge-worthy hotels have the design and prestige to rival even that most historic of city landmarks The first hotel on this list is just 20 minutes from Florence From vineyards to infinity pools and farm-to-table restaurants every one of these 14 Tuscan classics is within two hours of the city With its range of innovative solutions to facilitate more mindful travel that has less of an impact on the environment – including state-of-the-art tyres for cars which remains an invaluable source of reliable advice – MICHELIN contributes to making each and every one of your journeys more enjoyable From Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants to charming residences nestled in the beautiful Italian countryside the MICHELIN Guide helps make your travels even more special From the Cantieri Riva boatyard to roads that wind their way through vineyards and historic villages the region between Brescia and Lake Iseo celebrates the past present and future of cars and boats alike you’ll find centres of excellence and extraordinarily scenic routes many of which are dotted with top-quality Michelin-starred restaurants The intoxicating nuances of Franciacorta wines over the centuries and a strong wine tradition in a region with a unique microclimate Not only is the Franciacorta region home to excellent food and wine beautiful vineyards and charming tourist sights dotted between Brescia and the shores of Lake Iseo it also boasts a rich artistic heritage and a vibrant arts and crafts tradition white and rosé wines include many different grape varieties and methods of production and provide the perfect accompaniment to the region’s cuisine It has been suggested that the unusual name of this region lying between Brescia and Lake Iseo is a reference to France (Francia in Italian) although another interpretation favours the idea that the area was once a corte franca or a free zone exempt from the payment of taxes to the monks who cultivated the land here Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial By continuing I accept the Terms & Condition and Privacy Policy. I would like to receive Newsletter from MICHELIN Guide Save lists of your favorite restaurants & hotels Whether you\u2019re travelling close to home or further afield we\u2019ve asked some of the region\u2019s local experts for their favourite touring itineraries and places to visit between Brescia and Lake Iseo in order to make your trip to the Franciacorta region even more enjoyable Our list of routes exploring the region\u2019s art, natural landscapes, and food and ine starts with suggestions from Silvano Brescianini, President of the Franciacorta Consortium who chooses the evocative Torbiere del Sebino (peat bogs) as \u201can ideal place for a walk produce from Rovato market and typical spit-roasted dishes from Gussago\u201d A visit to the Stella di Gussago sanctuary, \u201ca peaceful and restful place\u201d, is one of the first recommendations offered by Riccardo Scalvinoni, the chef at Il Colmetto restaurant which has been awarded a Michelin Green star: \u201cFranciacorta has a longstanding arts and crafts tradition where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll among the conifer trees\u201d He continues: \u201cIn terms of touring options an increasing number of travellers are looking for natural landscapes and one of the region\u2019s most delightful routes leads to Iseo via Campiani and then over the hills that separate Gussago from Rodengo Saiano After crossing Monte Delma and heading to Fantecolo you can climb up to the Madonna del Corno overlooking Provaglio d\u2019Iseo\u201d the region\u2019s natural landmarks are of particular geo-historical interest: \u201cFrom Monte Alto and the Madonna del Corno Cazzago San Martino and Paderno Franciacorta stand today; the frontal moraine of the Riss ice age (240 000-150 000 years ago) includes the villages of Corte Franca and Provaglio d\u2019Iseo Geological history and a unique microclimate are distinctive features of this geographical region and according to Camilla Alberti, President of the Franciacorta Wine Route these natural features can be admired at the Gaina waterfalls in Monticelli Brusati and from the fitness trail on the Monte della Madonna: \u201cHere which is home to the 15C Church of San Zenone\u201d Alberti concludes by saying \u201cwe have invested heavily in marketing and signage for the Wine Route \u2013 we\u2019ve mapped out six cycling itineraries and the same number of hiking routes we are also creating a programme that will showcase the artistic and cultural heritage of the region in association with the \u2018Terra della Franciacorta\u2019 organisation\u201d as well as a visit to the Vino Ricci Curbastro museum and a cycle ride along the route from Brescia to Paratico: \u201cFollowing the old Roman road you\u2019ll enjoy scenic views as well as discover an area steeped in Roman renowned for its production of wooden vessels which play such an important role in the lake\u2019s history extra-virgin olive oil and dried sardines\u201d Lo Sparviere was founded by Monique Poncelet Gussalli Beretta in 1974 at a time when Franciacorta was a young DOC with barely a dozen producers of sparkling wine It was the first of the group of high-profile estates which went on to shape the modern history of Metodo Classico in Italy The first bottles from the estate were released in 1984 followed by the wines which now form a comprehensive portfolio ranging from fresh non-vintage cuvées through to mature Riservas with long lees ageing The property’s organically managed vineyards extend over 30ha in the communes of Monticelli Brusati and Provaglio d’Iseo in the northeast of the Franciacorta DOCG zone which differ markedly from the typical glacial moraine of Franciacorta the cool mesoclimate of sites stretching up to 300 metres above sea level offers the crucial benefits of delaying grape ripening and preserving acidity which determines the crisp intensity and finesse of the house style Individual plots across the estate are harvested separately on the basis of exposure and the age of the vines In the words of winemaker Francesco Polastri ‘Lo Sparviere is an artisan winery that treats every land parcel as if it were unique’ Each plot is then vinified separately in what Poalstri describes as the ‘bespoke management of every base wine’ Subsequent blending of the different cuvées (ten in the case of the Brut Cuvée 7 – the latest addition to the range) creates balance and complexity the Agricole Gussalli Beretta (AGB) group manages four other estates in prestigious areas of northern and central Italy and in particular their location in cooler climate zones makes them notably resistant to the more extreme effects of climate change with its own staff and specialised external consultants but there is a collective emphasis on terroir expression as well as elegance and finesse in the winemaking These features are exemplified by the Castello di Radda estate in Chianti Classico and Fortemasso in the Langhe of Piemonte The organic Castello di Radda estate is located in Radda a village that is home to some of the highest sites in Chianti Classico The estate was completely replanted with predominantly Sangiovese when AGB arrived in 2003 The property includes just under 40ha of vineyard including a plot in the prestigious cru of Vertine in nearby Gaiole The combination of the cool climate and stony galestro soils makes for wines of firm structure and aromatic intensity Gussalli Beretta acquired Fortemasso in 2013 The winery’s Barolo comes from 5ha of old vines planted on the characteristic sandy soils of the Castelletto MGA on east-facing slopes overlooking the valley of Serralunga the summer heat is tempered by the cool winds of the Alta Langa Delicate handling of oak ageing retains the freshness and typical complexity of the wines of Castelletto at Bersi Serlini Franciacorta in Provaglio di Iseo The initial greetings and introduction of the proceedings will be given by the CEO of Sesvil srl The meeting will be attended by: Prof. Fabrizio Zucca, President of SSC and Coordinator of the Eurispes Laboratory on Sustainability the evolution of the regulatory framework and implications on companies’ business models”; Gabriele Casadei will address the topic “Sustainability: Implications on purchasing strategies”; Andrea Gilberti will take part with a speech on “Supplier research: when Artificial Intelligence supports human intelligence”; Maurizio Quarta will speak on “Temporary Management to guide a strategic sustainability project” while Rosanna Gallo will address the topic of “Sustainability at Work” Professor of Business Economics at the University of Brescia Vice-President Gefran SpA with responsibility for Sustainability Chief Human Capital Officer Streparava SpA President Farcogroup and Vice-President Confindustria Brescia with responsibility for Industrial Relations and Welfare Clicca sul pulsante per aprire un ticket o inviare una mail The Sunday TimesWhen it’s August in northern Italy you have two options: suffocate or hit the water holidaymakers crammed onto their sunloungers like glazed sardines Como’s full of Americans chasing George Clooney with the province of Bergamo on the western side and Brescia opposite Vines dangle on southern hillsides; snow dapples ragged mountains to the north; pretty towns stroke the waterfront; there’s art and history; there is swimming “This is the most romantic place I’ve ever seen,” wrote Lady Mary Wortley Montagu an 18th-century aristocrat who spent a decade in the town of Lovere My first trip was in March; I’m now planning my fourth Boats moored at Monte IsolaALAMYThat first time I came from Como convinced nothing could rival Europe’s glitziest lake But then the road burrowed under one of the mountains that clasp Iseo in a steely embrace and there it was: a lake that somehow seemed as alive as the sea Pint-sized boats chugged from shore to shore This farmstay sits halfway up a hill that becomes a mountain; to reach it you drive up a narrow half-mile lane through olive trees and a chestnut grove whose gnarled residents might have stepped out of The Lord of the Rings All seven rooms point towards the lake but sit directly over the Torbiere del Sebino a wildlife-filled wetland reserve just south of the lake proper whose waters flush hot pink in the setting sun but the best thing about the Forest is that beneath its simple rooms is a top-notch restaurant — and I mean top-notch My caponata had a poached egg and a slab of warm pork crackling a pale pink-cabbage risotto oozed taleggio cheese My mouth still waters remembering the pork ribs glazed in homemade chestnut honey women partake in some kind of ritual procession and reindeer swirl their antlers in an eternal waltz The Monastery of San Pietro in LamosaGETTY IMAGESBut you’ll be here, above all, for the water. There’s no need to use taxis on Iseo because its ferries function like mini-cruisers. I hopped on one from Iseo town (£6 return; visitlakeiseo.info) where a Clooney-worthy villa lounged by the pontoon its magnolia tree shading me as we hovered it morphed in my mind from giant green panettone to a humped Monte Isola is topped and tailed with a church on its summit and I walked from Sensole — a place so sleepy that signs warn you cats have right of way — to Peschiera Maraglio the island’s town (that’s overstating it; the population is 324) On one side were olive groves and wildflowers; opposite That 20-minute walk was as relaxing as a weeklong holiday One of the reasons for Iseo’s superb food scene is that it caters mainly to Italians rather than foreigners in search of what they think is Italian food Another is that it sits between Bergamo and Brescia making it a weekend destination for exacting locals there’s more food and wine in the hills of Franciacorta the wine region abutting Lake Iseo’s southern side Franciacorta wine is like a more refined prosecco and if you don’t want to drink and drive there are vineyards with rooms at the foot of the medieval hill town Capriolo; and Al Rocol in a less pretty area but serving exceptional food with home-grown wine pairings You go to Italy for culture as well as gluttony, and Iseo sates that wish too. Rising above the Sebino wetlands is the monastery of San Pietro in Lamosa (free; sanpietroinlamosa.it) founded in the 11th century by Benedictine monks on the foundations of a Roman temple to Mithras and these chapels are from 1130,” said Battista Simonini patting the metre-thick partitions and showing me where Renaissance was spliced onto gothic “You can see 500 years of history in 20 metres.” Frescoes of saints through the centuries dappled the walls but instead he led me to the corner where a wild-looking Green Man was daubed in scarlet on the ceiling — from the 11th century ● 10 of the most delicious Italian cities for food ● Top vineyard hotels in Tuscany Unlike Venice, though, Lovere is affordable — from its hipster restaurant Flour, where homemade pasta costs just £7 (facebook.com/flourlovere) a hostel that has en suite rooms with knockout views over the lake But then Iseo as a whole is budget-friendly especially as it’s doable using public transport Trains from Brescia head up Iseo’s east coast in under an hour and boat journeys can cost less than two quid a ride I was the lone passenger on a ferry to the train station at Pisogne It was just as spectacular as the taxi I once hired in Como for 100 times the price Except maybe a bit more spectacular — because it was Iseo Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Twitter Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. Many of the factors that make Franciacorta special are already known. The climate, being in a region that claims to be ‘pre-Alpine’, is fiercely continental but has two mitigating factors: Lake Iseo to the north and Monte Orfano to the south. The proximity of the lake has a huge mitigating effect on temperatures in both summer and winter. Evidence of this lies in Franciacorta’s typically Mediterranean vegetation, which includes both wild and naturalised plant species along with those that are easy to cultivate, such as the olive tree. In the growing period for the vines (April to October) the average rainfall is 500-600 mm, approximately two thirds of the annual total. The Franciacorta area is triangular in shape, with an apex in the north that touches the southern shores of Lake Iseo. Within this triangular space, we can quite clearly make out the morainic amphitheatre formed during the Ice Age, thanks to a large glacier coming from Val Camonica, which divided into two branches immediately after the basin of the lake, with a small one to the east and a much larger and more important one to the west. On the northwest side lies Paratico and Capriolo with their higher altitudes. The first glacial branch from this side includes Clusane, Colombaro, Nigoline, Torbiato, Erbusco, Adro, Bornato, Monterotondo, Provaglio and also Passirano. The Eastside includes Monticelli, Ome, and Rodengo, while Gussago and Cellatica, with their southern exposition, are part of a different glacial configuration. No less important is Monte Orfano, which shelters Franciacorta from the humidity of the Padana valley. Monte Orfano has limestone soils, quite different from the morainic origin of the rest of Franciacorta. Here the style of wine is tighter and chalkier. The morainic origin of the other parts of the region is equally crucial. Morainic soils mean that pH values are not as high as in Champagne and acidity is almost half of the level obtainable in the Champagne region. This means that sparkling wines in Franciacorta are made with a focus on extracting the purest expression possible from the grapes, without an oxidative style. Soils in the region are rich in sand and silt and typically lacking in clay, often with considerable thickness and high permeability. Abundant stones of different shapes, types and colours are scattered everywhere, and for centuries they have been used for constructing villas, farmhouses and ‘Broli’, the characteristic stone walls that surround houses and vineyards. One of the basic characteristics of Franciacorta’s moraine-originating soils is an enormous wealth of added minerals, which are different to those derived only from the rocks found there, and form the basis for the area’s high-quality viticulture. Wines tasted and rated by Decanter contributor Aldo Fiordelli Barone Pizzini, Animante Extrabrut, NV 12% Montenisa Antinori, Brut Cuvée Royale, NV 12.5% Picked in Erbusco, Villa Maggi and Borgo Calino, this Chardonnay-based wine comes from the heart of Franciacorta and is part of the Antinori stable. Milky notes dominate the nose, completed by hazelnut, lemon peel and yoghurt. Zesty acidity is finely grained with lemon flavour expressing an incredibly long mousse with a toasty finish and lemon curd flavour. 90 This estate is based on Monte Orfano, the southernmost hill of Franciacorta, and compared to other villages within the region, it’s higher in altitude with limestone soil . Faccoli is famously the first to start the harvest every year. This rosé is made with the saignée method. Bright onion-skin colour, classic profile with restrained strawberry fruit and candied strawberries, smoky woodland and mouth-filling chalky minerality. Creamy mousse and silky finish with good body. 92 Continue with Facebook Oppure inserisci le tue credenziali Hai dimenticato la password? ‘We are proud to publish the 2023 Sustainability Report because it shows the path that Gefran has taken with determination in recent years defining a growth strategy based on the centrality of people sustainable product innovation and supply chain sustainability These are the pillars of the strategic plan whose objectives were presented and introduced in 2023 and which today accompany and guide our vision and our investment decisions,’ emphasised Giovanna Franceschetti we are now recognised as one of the companies in Italy that pays the most attention to ESG issues is the awareness of the close link between sustainability and business continuity guaranteed by the sustainable actions of our company which we report on in our Sustainability Report with figures and results that show the great commitment of our employees in achieving important results’ Accedi o registrati per commentare questo articolo. L'email è richiesta ma non verrà mostrata ai visitatori. Il contenuto di questo commento esprime il pensiero dell'autore e non rappresenta la linea editoriale di QuiBrescia, che rimane autonoma e indipendente. I messaggi inclusi nei commenti non sono testi giornalistici, ma post inviati dai singoli lettori che possono essere automaticamente pubblicati senza filtro preventivo. I commenti che includano uno o più link a siti esterni verranno rimossi in automatico dal sistema. The Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Gefran S.p.A The Shareholders’ Meeting approved Gefran S.p.A.’s financial statements for the year 2023 (detailed below) and the proposal of the Board of Directors to distribute an ordinary dividend The ex-dividend is scheduled for 6 May 2024 The coupon number representing the dividend is 19 The remaining portion of the profit for the year is allocated to the profit reserve from previous years The Gefran Group operates directly in the main international markets through sales branches in Italy and through production branches also in Switzerland Today the Gefran Group employs around 650 people innovation capacity and process and product quality are the key factors in Gefran’s success Absolute control of process technology and application know-how also enable Gefran to produce tools and integrated systems for specific applications in various industrial sectors: from plastics processing which has been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 9 June 1998 joined the High Requisites Securities Segment (STAR) in 2001 and on 31 January 2005 moved to the ALL STAR which became Euronext STAR Milan (‘STAR’) on 25 October 2021 Accedi o registrati per commentare questo articolo L'email è richiesta ma non verrà mostrata ai visitatori Il contenuto di questo commento esprime il pensiero dell'autore e non rappresenta la linea editoriale di QuiBrescia I messaggi inclusi nei commenti non sono testi giornalistici ma post inviati dai singoli lettori che possono essere automaticamente pubblicati senza filtro preventivo I commenti che includano uno o più link a siti esterni verranno rimossi in automatico dal sistema.