Guided tour of Franciacorta's vineyards

If you want to explore the Franciacorta wine region, you basically have two options. You either find your own options and make your own itinerary along the wineries of your choice.

Or you have a local guide or tour operator take care of it.

Let's start with these ready-to-go wine tours. Tours and wine tastings that you can book quickly and easily. It's so easy, you search, book and wait patiently until your holiday starts and you can enjoy a wonderful activity.

Below is a list of all the local tour guides and event agencies that offer wine tasting tours, often in combination with another activity.

• Italy Destination
• Franciacorta Tour
  
• IseoBike
  
• Franciacorta Bike Tour
  

The big advantage of these organised wine tasting tours is that you have nothing to prepare yourself. You look, search and book. And move forward.

The disadvantage is that you'll spend more than is necessary. After all, you can compose a wine trip yourself as well. A day in Franciacorta. Or a weekend in the region, also visiting Bergamo and maybe including a second wine region. Then consider the many wine regions around Lake Garda. These are nearer than you may realise.

Besides spending less money (apart from time) on the activities of a day or a weekend in Franciacorta, you will also completely customise the wine trip. According to your own or everyone's wishes. Whether you go as a couple with your family or with a group of friends. You customise it all according to your wishes and budget. And it's great fun to do, too. The pre-fun of your trip begins today.

Composing your own winery tour in Franciacorta

A few years ago, we visited the Franciacorta region ourselves. The wine region had been on our list for a while. We went there with friends and our children (by now old enough to be allowed and able to join us). The final destination of our holiday was Tuscany (near Arezzo). A stopover around Lake Iseo sounded like a really good idea to explore this area. After some research online, we composed a nice wine trip.

Staying for the night at winery Al Rocol located on the edge of the Franciacorta wine region, just below Ome. In the afternoon, bikes were delivered and local wine guide Flavio Tignonsini introduced us to this gorgeous wine region in a few hours. A great cycling tour along the vineyards with a stop at Cantina Mosnel. After the interesting tour, we were able to taste the lovely wines on the covered terrace (luckily, quite by chance, there was quite a rain shower that afternoon, allowing us to enjoy the bubbles while being dry). Although we were not visiting the winery by car, we were still able to carry a few bottles of Franciacorta in our backpacks. Arriving at Cantina e Agriturismo Al Rocol, we had a tour of the wine cellar before dinner. At dinner, we were offered a delicious selection of their own wines. With each course of food, a matching wine was served. Since there were accommodations at the winery, no one had to drive. Well -and safely- arranged. We were a wonderful wine memory richer. Off to Tuscany the next day.

Composing your own wine trip or arranging a tour and tasting is not that difficult. At least if you know where to look. For the Franciacorta wine region, you can use the following sources to help with this.

The website of Consorzio Franciacorta (in full the 'Consorzio per la tutela del Franciacorta', founded in 1990 by 29 members and now grown into a strong organisation to represent Franciacorta wines on behalf of its 200 members) is a good starting point to learn about the wine region and Franciacorta itself. Also, you can find an overview of all 200 member wineries. By doing so, you already have the option to filter by wineries where you can also stay for the night. This is very convenient. No more driving after a wine tasting. Or ordering an expensive taxi. Most wine accommodations that offer overnight stays also offer the possibility of having dinner. Some of these wine hotels or bed and breakfast at wineries are listed at the bottom of the page

Furthermore, the Franciacorta wine region has its own official wine route. The 'Strada del Franciacorta' is one of roughly 100 official Italian wine routes. The idea behind these wine routes is to combine the promotion of wineries with the local offer of hotels, restaurants and other attractions and activities. A partnership from which all associated companies can benefit.

In addition, you can use Lake Iseo's official website to see what more you can expect to experience or visit around it. The website gives you plenty of options to make it an unforgettable holiday. Hiking, cycling, boating. The websites of nearby Brescia and Bergamo (there is a beautiful natural park just above the city) also give you inspiration to combine fun days out with rest - and wine tasting of course - in Franciacorta. Furthermore, Milan and Verona are within easy reach for a day trip.

Guided tours and wine tastings at Franciacorta wineries

Almost all the 200 wineries that have joined Consorzio Franciacorta will welcome you when you come by to taste their wines. You will be warmly welcomed and they will enthusiastically tell you why their particular wine is the most delicious in the entire region.

And what really is the best, is up to you. After all, there is no arguing about taste, it is very personal. So go ahead and taste it.

A selection of Franciacorta wineries with a direct link to their guided tours and tastings.

• Mosnel
• La Montina (visits and wine tastings in the wine cellar)
• Cantina Derbusco Cives
• Barboglio de Gaioncelli
• Ca’ del Bosco
• Ronco Calino
• Azienda Agricola Ricci Curbastro
• Cantina Al Rocol (wine tastings - guided tour)
• Cantina Clarabella
• Casa Bellavista
• Cà d’Or
• Boccadoro
• I Barisèi
• Elisabetta Abrami
• Castello Bonomi
• Tenuta Montenisa (by Marchese Antinori)
• Antica Fratta