If Italian sparkling wines exceeded 1 billion bottles worldwide in 2024, according to data from the UIV-Ismea Observatory, the credit also goes to the visionary talent of the great oenologist and entrepreneur Franco Ziliani, who had the dream of beating champagne and creating a Made in Italy sparkling wine that would bring joy from the first sip. And so it was that, in the heart of Franciacorta, a Lombardy region rich in wine-making traditions, characterised by rolling hills and a microclimate ideal for growing grapes, the Italian sparkling wine revolution began in the early 1960s.
A meeting that changes everything
It all began in 1955, when two key figures met: Count Guido Berlucchi and the young oenologist Franco Ziliani, born in 1931, originally from Travagliato (BS) and a graduate of the School of Oenology in Alba. This meeting will kick off a bold project: to create a sparkling wine in Franciacorta using the classic method, as in Champagne.
Count Berlucchi had called Ziliani to stabilise a Pinot he produced on his land. Ziliani, however, wanted to take it a step further: ‘What if we also made a sparkling wine in the French style?’
The birth of Franciacorta: a dream come true
1961 was a landmark year for Franciacorta: after several years of experimentation, the Berlucchi winery produced its first 3,300 bottles of ‘Pinot di Franciacorta’, a classic method sparkling wine that immediately stood out for its elegance and finesse. It was the beginning of a success story that would transform Franciacorta from an unknown territory to a synonym for oenological excellence. Word-of-mouth among connoisseurs and restaurateurs propelled Berlucchi’s fame, paving the way for a veritable revolution in the world of Italian sparkling wines. A success that put the region on the map: in 1967, the area was recognised as a DOC, and in 1995 as a DOCG.
The rise of an icon
In the years that followed, the company grew rapidly, but did not simply ride the wave of success: new wines were developed through constant research and innovation, including, as early as the 1960s, the first Italian classic method rosé.
The company invests in cutting-edge technology but remains faithful to the principles of the Metodo Classico: bottle fermentation, long ageing on the lees, and great attention to grape quality. Berlucchi wines are appreciated in Italy and around the world, becoming the stars of celebrations, events and memorable toasts.
Thus, Franciacorta began to establish itself not only as a production area, but also as a symbol of elegance, quality and traditional methods – anticipating what is now one of the pinnacles of Italian sparkling wines.
Berlucchi today: a symbol of excellence and sustainability
Berlucchi is an international benchmark for Franciacorta, an ambassador for Italian taste and hospitality culture. The winery produces millions of bottles every year and continues to innovate, paying close attention to quality and environmental sustainability while promoting the region.
From the historic winery in Borgonato, Berlucchi Franciacorta wines reach every corner of the world, bringing with them the scent of tradition and the freshness of innovation. In 2022, the prestigious Gambero Rosso award for ‘Winery of the Year’ confirmed that Berlucchi continues to be a reference for those seeking the very best Italian sparkling wines.
Today, Guido Berlucchi & C. S.p.A. is owned by Ziliani’s three children (Paolo Ziliani, Cristina Ziliani, Arturo Ziliani), produces millions of bottles per year and has a turnover of around 42 million euros!
Best wishes to everyone, especially those raising a glass of Italian sparkling wine around the world, because, as Franco Ziliani would say, ‘Every toast worth its salt is both a point of arrival and a point of departure!’
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