Guido Berlucchi

History

According to the company, Guido Berlucchi S.p.A. was founded in Borgonato in 1955 by Guido Berlucchi, Franco Ziliani and Giorgio Lanciani.¹ The house dates its first Franciacorta to 1961 and calls it the first Franciacorta ever made.²

This is the producer's own claim. The Franciacorta page describes the appellation's legal history.

Palazzo Lana and the cellar

The house's historic building, Palazzo Lana, is described by the company as a 16th-century palazzo.⁴ Its historic cellar dates from 1680, and the house says it keeps there what it calls the very first bottle of Franciacorta.⁵

Vineyards and people

The company works with about 500 hectares of vineyards in Franciacorta and has 100 staff.¹ Its vineyards have been certified organic since 2016; the plot closest to Palazzo Lana, called Brolo, is planted with Pinot Noir.³ Franco Ziliani's children Cristina, Arturo and Paolo work in the management of the company.⁶

Group

The group also includes Caccia al Piano, a 30-hectare estate in Bolgheri producing about 140,000 bottles a year, and Antica Fratta in Monticelli Brusati, a restored 19th-century villa with a cellar.¹ Franciacorta is made by the traditional method.⁷