Antica Fratta is one of Franciacorta’s hidden jewels, tucked into the hills of Monticelli Brusati. Its story begins in the mid-19th century, when Luigi Rossetti converted a humble farmhouse into a grand villa and carved vast cellars into the hillside. The locals called it el cantinù “the great cellar” a set of Greek-cross shaped tunnels capable of holding thousands of hectoliters of wine. After a long decline, the estate was rescued in 1979 by Franco Ziliani of Berlucchi, who restored both villa and cellars, positioning Antica Fratta as a boutique counterpoint to his larger operation.

Today the estate farms under a sustainable, integrated program that prioritizes vine density, low yields, and meticulous hand-harvesting. Chardonnay and Pinot Nero form the core of the plantings, the classical foundation of Franciacorta. In the cellar, precision is the guiding principle: gentle pressing, cool stainless-steel fermentations, and long lees aging that consistently extends well beyond the appellation’s minimums. The result is a house style defined by purity, creaminess, and the ability to age gracefully.

The wines are full of elegance and lift, with finely etched acidity and a persistent mousse, praised by Italian guides and international critics alike. The estate’s declared philosophy, eleganza ed esclusività, captures the balance they aim for: wines that honor the deep traditions of Franciacorta while presenting them in a more refined, boutique key.