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4
WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY
Barone Pizzini
Franciacorta is marked by a long and deep sense of place. It references both a place of origin in name
(Franciacorta is Italy’s first sparkling DOCG) and a method of production, metodo classico, where
second fermentation occurs in bottle. The hills surrounding Lake Iseo form a glacial amphitheater, and
it is here where the bubbly wines of Franciacorta were widely prized and consumed as early as the 13th
century. Since 1870, Barone Pizzini has captured the area’s long cultural significance to help shape both
Franciacorta’s legacy and contemporary character. The winery is a keen observer of their land, developing
thoughtful farming models that have propelled the estate at the vanguard of their region.
At its core, Barone Pizzini places its trust in nature first. Silvano Brescianini, Barone Pizzini’s winemaker
and Managing Partner, took over winemaking responsibilities in 1994. For Brescianini, vines and wines here
are born out of a central theme: natural farming and transparency of place. The goal of low intervention
results in wines defined less by artifice and more by location. Rather than act as agents of nature, Barone
Pizzini allows for the narrative of events during the growing season to be observed.
“Animante” Franciacorta DOCG Brut
Animate is sourced from the estate’s 25 vineyards scattered in different locations across Franciacorta.
They cover a total surface area of 47 hectares. The average elevation of the vines is 200/300 meters
above sea level, with an average age of 20 years. Subsoils are complex in origin. Some are morainic in
nature, while others are enriched by glacial river deposits.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Bianco are sourced from all four distinct sites and harvested in
August. Grapes are gently pressed, fermented in stainless steel tanks for six months, and further refined
in bottle on natural yeasts for 20 – 30 until disgorgement and a dosage mixture of 2 – 3g/l of organic
sugar is added.
Franciacorta DOCG Satèn
Barone Pizzini’s Satèn is made exclusively of the best Chardonnay grapes from six vineyards: Prada,
Roncaglia, Roccolo, Clogna, Carabioli and Ronchi. Soils here are morainic with glacial deposits sitting at 200
– 280 meters above sea level. Even ripening and high natural acidity are key in this selection of grapes to
achieve distinct Satèn style: elegance, freshness of aroma, and finesse of perlage.
After an August harvest, Chardonnay is gently pressed and fermented in temperature controlled stainless
steel tanks and barrels. It is aged for six months in stainless steel tanks and barriques, followed by 30 to 40
months in bottle on the natural yeasts until disgorgement and a dosage mixture of 2 – 3g/l of organic sugar
is added.