a gleaming star in Franciacorta
A grandiose gate, sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro’s bronze “Hymn to the Sun”, which opens onto a sweeping park framed by oak, chestnut and acacia trees. Beyond the park, acres and acres of luxuriant rolling vineyards, which give birth to the exceptional grapes used to produce the most superb blends in Franciacorta.
Welcome to Ca’ del Bosco, an enchanting oasis, a haven of beauty, art, tradition and sublime wines. It all started in the 1960s when Annamaria Clementi Zanella came to Erbusco, Franciacorta, and fell in love with a small house atop a hill, immersed in a thick forest of shady chestnut trees. And so “Ca’ del bosc”, local dialect for “the house in the woods” came to be, and a fairytale began.
The Ca’ del Bosco estate rises in the heart of Franciacorta, that lyrical land of sinuous fields, gentle hills and bountiful verdant vineyards which stretches south of Lake Iseo towards Brescia. An idyllic landscape, where visionary vintners commit their lives to creating some of the greatest sparkling wines of the world. Franciacorta is a realm on its own. In its fields, grapes are lovingly hand-harvested. In its cellars, ingenious experts craft fabulous blue ribbon metodo classico sparkling wines and excellent still wines. Unique traditionally made wines which, according to Wine Enthusiast “boast pedigree and style, and have their own identity”.
What makes Franciacorta wines so splendid? The wonderful blend of terroir, grape varietals and imaginative leading-edge winemakers. Like Annamaria Clementi Zanella’s son, Maurizio Zanella, the inspired “architect” of Ca’ del Bosco’s magnificence, and creator of its success. Brilliant, resourceful and enthusiastic, Maurizio Zanella was among the first to understand that the soil, climate, and vines of Franciacorta were perfect to produce fine, choice grapes. Juicy, fragrant grapes to be caringly processed, and turned into sensational Franciacorta Metodo Classico wines and traditional reds and whites. With a roaring passion for winemaking, and eager desire to innovate and revive Italian oenology, he led the way.
Thus Maurizio Zanella became one of the first to design the framework of the Italian wine Renaissance in the 70s, and turned his chestnut tree framed abode into a cutting-edge avant-garde winery. Quality, research, technique, and a passion for excellence are what shepherds and governs winemaking at the Ca’ del Bosco winery. Starting with the planting and grooming of the lovely vineyards, all attentively done by skilled competent professionals. The grapes are then harvested by hand, gently placed into small boxes, meticulously hand selected and washed in special vats. The grapes are crushed and the first fermentation takes place, in small oak barrels or in large wooden vats, depending on the wine they will be used for.
Extensive corridors and underground cellars guarantee perfect temperature and an ideal maturation, and there is an innovative custom-designed bottling line. All this stems from Maurizio Zanella’s wish to create a one-of-a-kind winery and produce extraordinary wines. Indeed, Ca’ del Bosco’s evolution showcases four fascinating phases, each of which led to brand-new magnificent wines.
The first phase was in the early 1970’s, when the winery came out with two signature still wines, one white and one red. The second phase, between 1978 to 1980, was characterized by Maurizio Zanella’s desire to embark in a new adventure: the production of sparkling wines. In those years the winery released the famed Franciacorta Brut, Dosage Zero, Rosé, Annamaria Clementi and Satèn, which at the time was known as Crèmant.
The 80’s saw Ca’ del Bosco focused on the production of still wines. Among these: the Maurizio Zanella, named after the founder itself, a special wine produced with the classical Bordeaux blend – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot – the Chardonnay, Pinero – produced with Pinot Noir grape – and Elfo, an intriguing white wine produced with Sauvignon Blanc and other local grapes. Finally, in the fourth phase, the winery crowned its production line yielding other superb “non vintage” sparkling wines. Creativity and ingeniousness never stop: the winery’s latest novelty is Carmenèro, a remarkably distinctive wine made with Carmenère grapes.
Yet, in true Italian style, Ca’ del Bosco is more than just a winery. Magnificently adorned and enhanced by paintings, amazing contemporary artwork and ancient furniture it is a treasure chest of splendor and culture. Each sculpture and picture, starting from the extraordinary gate made by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, is simply stunning. Pomodoro’s gate “Inno al Sole” (i.e. “Hymn to the Sun”), a 5-meter diameter round structure divided into two parts symbolizes the entrance towards the vineyards and the estate, as well as the relationship between wine and art.
Entering Ca’ del Bosco through such an alluring gate sets the scene for an exclusive experience which combines tradition, creativity, and excellence. Splendidly crafted superior quality wines meet world-class contemporary art, designing a beautiful symphony of flavors, aromas and Italian heritage.
