FRANCIACORTA

Franciacorta is a territory of gentle hills south of Lake Iseo, renowned as a land of vineyards for the production of the wine of the same name, Franciacorta DOCG, produced according to the classic method of refermentation in the bottle.

However, Franciacorta does not just mean wine: the territory extends for about 200 square km over 18 municipalities in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, and encompasses a vast range of landscapes, from the hill covered with vineyards to the mountains, from the lake to the medieval village, from the nature reserve to the sixteenth-century palace.

The name seems to derive from da curtes francae and refers to the communities of Cluniac and Cistercian monks who had settled here since the Middle Ages and were exempt from paying duties, known as “free courts”. The cultivation of vineyards dates back to Roman times, thanks to the favorable microclimate and the wealth of minerals in the soil due to the morainic origin of the territory, but it was the monks who gave impetus to the reclamation and cultivation of the vast plots of hills that today produce 15.6 million bottles of denomination wines. The name Franciacorta today indicates the territory, the production method and the wine produced. A curiosity: only three areas in the world have this characteristic: French Champagne, Franciacorta and Cava, in Spain

Franciacorta offers many experiences that combine history, culture, nature, sport and relaxation, to be completed with a food and wine experience rich in typical products, from DOP cheeses, to cured meats, to lake fish, each of which has its ideal combination between Franciacorta wines.

WHAT TO SEE

Riserva Naturale delle Torbiere del Sebino 

Monastero di San Pietro in Lamosa

Abbazia Olivetana di San Nicola

WHAT TO DO

Follow the Wine Route and visit the cellars

Obviously, you cannot go to Franciacorta without visiting at least one of the about 130 wineries associated with the consortium of the Strada del Vino and, in terms of tastings, there is only an embarrassment of choice.
Link to the association website

Outdoor activities: biking, hiking, Nordic walking …

The Franciacorta Wine Route association has prepared 5 cycling routes for everyone, for hikers who want to take a walk on two wheels to discover Franciacorta in complete tranquility. Their route touches vineyards and fields, small villages and areas of particular naturalistic interest, panoramic points and places of historical and artistic interest. Along the way you will find a series of structures including farmhouses, hotels, refreshment points, all associated with the Strada del Franciacorta.
For lovers of walking and Nordic walking there are paths that cross the rows of vines and the small villages in the area.
Links and map of sport routes, also downloadable in kml (Google Earth) and GPX format:
– Bike and trekking
 – Itineraries 

Shopping at the Franciacorta Village

In Rodengo Saiano there is the Franciacorta Village, with over 190 shops of the best brands offering discounted products up to 70% all year round.
Link to website