Profile Il Mosnel Winery, Franciacorta

Profile of Il Mosnel Winery

Franciacorta wine country near the lovely Lake Iseo is one of Italy’s best kept secrets for wine lovers. Franciacorta´s bubblies are considered to be the crème de la crème of sparkling wines in Italy. This region is the perfect wine tasting excursion from Milan as it is just over an hour drive. One of the loveliest historic wineries in the Franciacorta appellation, Il Mosnel Winery produces a range of excellent still wines and Bollicine ("Bubbles", as sparkling wine is referred to in Italian). Run by the Barboglio family since the early 1800´s and operating under the Il Mosnel label since the late 70´s, it's a beautiful historic estate located near the medieval village of Rodengo (home to a Cistercian Abbey whose monks cultivated vineyards in the region for centuries).

Like most of the wineries here, Il Mosnel only began making Franciacorta (the local Champagne-method sparkling wine) in the latter part of the 20th century, after the pioneering winemaker Franco Ziliani first began experimenting with sparkling wines. In earlier days, dating back to Roman times, the region was better known for reds, though there is evidence of some sort of sparkling wine being made as early as the 17th century. In 1968, Il Mosnel was one of the first wineries to join the brand-new Franciacorta DOC (now DOCG). Decades later, it was followed by a slew of high-budget wineries that today make this once-sleepy corner of Lombardia such a fashionable place and have given it a reputation as the birthplace of Italy's best sparkling wines.

Il Mosnel can trace its history back to the 16th century, when the powerful Cacciamatta family owned the cellars that the winery still uses today. In the first half of the 19th century, the cellars and surrounding estate were sold to the Barboglio family. Emanuela Barboglio oversaw the winery's oftentimes difficult transition from still wine producer to sparkling wine producer during the latter part of the 20th century. The family business is now run by her grown children, Guilio Barzanò, head of technical, business and production areas; and Lucia Barzanò, in charge of administration, marketing and public relations. This winery is one of our favorite wineries in Franciacorta for the quality of the wines, the beauty of the estate and the hospitality.

If you would like to visit Il Mosnel´s winery as part of a luxury wine tour of the Franciacorta, contact us at info@cellartours.com

Address:

Il Mosnel
25040 Camignone (BS) Italy

Tel: +39.030653117
Fax: +39.030654236
Email: info@ilmosnel.com
Web: www.ilmosnel.com

Winery Details

Vineyards:The winery has 40 hectares of estate vineyards separated into 15 parcels. The soils are in an area of moraine deposits and are calcareous and deep. Most face east-southeast and are planted on hills. All are located in the Passirano area and are cultivated without fertilizers. The following vineyards yield white grapes: Campolarga, Tirù, Brolo, Dosso Sud, Dosso Nord, Limbo, Roccolino, Mosnel, Tesa, Camilì, Larga nord, Giardino; and the following vineyards yield red grapes: Frusca, Fortunato, Travaino, Roccolo rosso

D.O.C:Franciacorta DOCG and Terre di Franciacorta DOC
Founded:1836
Owner:Guilio Barzanò and Lucia Barzanò
Winemaker:Flavio Polenghi
Area under Vine:35 hectares (DOCG), 5 hectares (DOC)
Oak:Approximately 180 barriques made with French oak
Age of Vines:6-20 years old
Grape Varietals:: DOCG grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir; DOC grapes: Cabernet (Franc and Sauvignon), Merlot, Nebbiolo, Barbera.

More Information:

If you would like Cellar Tours to customize a Wine Tour in Italy or Luxury Day Excursion in Italy, for individuals or groups, contact us on: info@cellartours.com