Ca’ del Bosco’s story begins in the mid-1960s, when Annamaria Clementi Zanella purchased a small house nestled in a chestnut forest in Erbusco, Lombardy. That modest “house in the woods” (or Ca’ del Bosc in local dialect) would become the foundation for one of Italy’s most iconic sparkling wine producers. Her son, Maurizio Zanella, transformed the property into a pioneering winery by the early 1970s. Inspired by Champagne and driven by a vision for Italian excellence, he helped shape the Franciacorta DOCG and pushed for rigorous quality standards—lower yields, longer lees aging, and meticulous grape selection.
Ca’ del Bosco became known for its innovative techniques, including a unique grape “spa” process: grapes are washed in whirlpool baths and dried with cold air to preserve aromatic purity and reduce sulfur use.
Today, Ca’ del Bosco is part of the Santa Margherita Group but retains its independence, with Zanella still at the helm. It remains a benchmark for Franciacorta, producing traditional method sparkling wines that rival the best in the world.
Grape varieties: Chardonnay 75%, Pinot Blanc 2.5%, Pinot Noir 22.5%.
Blend: 77% vintage wines 2022, 18% reserve wines 2021, 5% reserve wines 2020
Aroma: Delicate and inviting, with notes of stone fruits, honeydew melon, and toasted almonds, layered over subtle hints of butterscotch, brioche, and pear.
Taste: Elegant and finely textured, it offers a creamy mousse and a vibrant acidity that lifts the richness. Flavors of baked apple, lemon zest, and pastry cream unfold with finesse.
Finish: A a persistent, mineral-driven finish.
92 Wine Spectator There's a succulent juiciness to the flavors of apricot, passion fruit and guava, balanced nicely by a minerally underpinning of chalk and saline, plus a swathe of chiseled acidity. Detailed hints of chamomile, beeswax, candied ginger and biscuit play on the creamy finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco. Disgorged autumn 2024. Drink now through 2030.
