Antica Fratta

Antica Fratta is a historic winery located in Monticelli Brusati, in the heart of Franciacorta. Its origins date back to at least the 16th century, when it began as a rural farmhouse. In the mid-19th century, the estate gained prestige thanks to Luigi Rossetti, a local merchant who transformed it into an elegant villa and established an important wine business.

One of the estate’s most remarkable features is its underground cellar, carved into the rock behind the villa. Designed with four tunnels arranged in the shape of a Greek cross, it was capable of holding up to 6,000 hectolitres of wine—an impressive capacity for its time—earning it the nickname “el cantinù” (the great cellar).

After a period of decline following Rossetti’s death, the estate was revived in the late 1970s thanks to Franco Ziliani, founder of Guido Berlucchi. Recognizing the extraordinary potential of the historic cellars, he led an ambitious restoration project. In 1979, Antica Fratta was reborn, with the goal of restoring its former glory.

Today, the estate combines historical charm with modern ambition, welcoming visitors into a refined setting where elegant interiors, terraced gardens, and ancient cellars create a unique and immersive atmosphere in the Franciacorta region.

At Antica Fratta, the quality of the wine begins in the vineyard. Great attention is given to factors such as grape selection, vine density, low yields, and manual harvesting at optimal ripeness.

The winemaking process is designed to preserve the purity and elegance of the grapes. After gentle pressing to obtain only the finest must, fermentation takes place at low temperatures to maintain delicate aromas. The wines from different vineyards are then carefully tasted and blended to create the final cuvée.

For Franciacorta production, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle using the traditional method. A liqueur de tirage—made from wine, selected yeasts, and sugar—is added, triggering a natural fermentation that produces the characteristic bubbles.

The bottles are then aged horizontally in the cellar for a minimum of two years at controlled temperatures, allowing the wines to develop complexity, finesse, and elegance. The result is a range of refined Franciacorta sparkling wines that express both tradition and innovation.