Meet the Winemaker: Franciacorta Freccianera - with Matteo Berlucchi

Freccianera is the wine estate of the Berlucchi family, founded in Borgonato di Corte Franca in 1927 and now in its third generation. Set in the heart of Franciacorta, the estate farms 70 hectares of vineyards on ancient glacial moraine soils, harvested entirely by hand. All winemaking, ageing and bottling takes place on the property, under three principles the family has never compromised on: estate grapes only, hand harvest and full in-house production.

The wines have earned recognition among Italy's finest sparkling wines, with multiple Best Italian Sparkling Wine 2025 and Best in Class awards at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, Platinum at Decanter 2025 and Best Franciacorta Vineyard at the IWSC Awards 2025. The range spans from the celebrated Brut 25 Blanc de Blancs to the Casa delle Colonne Riserva, aged 96 months on lees.

Tonight's masterclass is led by Matteo Berlucchi, a member of the third generation of the founding family. Matteo is a shareholder in the estate and an active ambassador for the wines, though his professional path has taken him beyond the vineyard. In 2010 he founded and ran the first chain of Italian wine retail stores in the United Kingdom, a pioneering venture that brought premium Italian wines to the British high street. He brings to this evening both family heritage and a deep understanding of how Italian wine is perceived and enjoyed outside Italy.

Franciacorta Metodo Classico Wines on tasting:

• Brut 25 - Blanc de Blancs - NV
• Extra Brut 2021 
• Nature 2021 (zero dosage) 
• Rosa 2018 
• Rosa 2019 
• Casa delle Colonne Riserva 2015 (zero dosage) - Platinum Decanter 2025 (97 points)