Ca' del Bosco is the Erbusco estate that did more than any other to make Franciacorta Italy's answer to Champagne. From the Cuvée Prestige to the Annamaria Clementi Riserva, these are traditional-method sparkling wines with precision and depth, alongside still Chardonnay and Pinot Nero from the same hills.
Ca' del Bosco and the rise of Franciacorta
The story begins in the mid-1960s, when Annamaria Clementi Zanella bought a house on a wooded hill in Erbusco, the "house in the woods" that gave the estate its name. Vineyards were planted in 1968, and her son Maurizio Zanella began making wine in the early 1970s. A trip to France in 1973 convinced him that the morainic soils south of Lake Iseo could produce sparkling wine of real class, and he built the first proper cellar soon after.
Zanella went on to be a driving force behind the Franciacorta DOCG, the appellation that requires bottle fermentation and long ageing on the lees. Today Ca' del Bosco farms well over a hundred hectares in Franciacorta, with Chardonnay as the backbone, Pinot Nero for structure and Pinot Bianco for finesse.
Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta: Cuvée Prestige, Vintage Collection and Riserva
Cuvée Prestige is the house's signature non-vintage Franciacorta. Each release is numbered by edition, so the 48esima Edizione Extra Brut is the 48th blend of the wine. It is crisp and elegant, with citrus, white flowers and a fine bead, and it comes in bottle and magnum. The Cuvée Prestige Rosé adds Pinot Nero for red berry fruit and a little more grip.
The Vintage Collection shows a single harvest in three styles. Dosaggio Zero is bone dry and mineral, Extra Brut is taut with a hint of brioche, and Satèn, made from white grapes at lower pressure, has a creamy, softer mousse. The 2021 vintage is available in bottle and magnum.
At the top sits the Annamaria Clementi Dosage Zero Riserva, named after the founder and aged for years on its lees before release. The 2017 is layered and complex, with toasted hazelnut, ripe citrus and a long, saline finish.
Still wines from Ca' del Bosco
The estate's still wines are worth seeking out too. Pinéro is a Pinot Nero from the Sebino area, perfumed and fine-boned. Selva della Tesa Chardonnay is a Chardonnay of depth and freshness, and Corte del Lupo is a bright, easy Curtefranca Bianco for everyday drinking.
Food pairing and serving
Serve the Franciacorta at 8 to 10°C in a white wine glass rather than a narrow flute, so the aromas can open. Dosaggio Zero and Extra Brut are excellent with oysters, raw fish and fried starters. Satèn suits risotto, soft cheeses and white meat, and the Annamaria Clementi Riserva can stand up to lobster, veal or aged Parmigiano.
Explore more of the region in our Franciacorta collection and Lombardy wines, compare with Champagne, or browse all sparkling wine.
Ca' del Bosco FAQ
Is Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta the same as Champagne?
Both are made by the traditional method, with the second fermentation in bottle, and both use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Franciacorta comes from Lombardy in northern Italy and has its own DOCG rules, including minimum lees ageing of 18 months for non-vintage wines, 30 months for vintage wines and 60 months for Riserva.
What is Ca' del Bosco Cuvée Prestige?
It is the estate's flagship non-vintage Franciacorta, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco. Each release carries an edition number.
What does Satèn mean?
Satèn is a Franciacorta style made only from white grapes and bottled at lower pressure, giving a softer, silkier mousse.
Who was Annamaria Clementi?
She was the mother of Maurizio Zanella and the founder of the estate. The house's top Riserva carries her name.
How long can Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta age?
Cuvée Prestige is made to drink on release. Vintage Collection wines develop for several years, and the Annamaria Clementi Riserva can age for a decade or more.