The wineries in the region of Lake Iseo are worth to visit. Especially if you love wine, you will even more like to go visit Lake Iseo, because there you will have the great chance to discover really top wines of the small and medium sized wineries. It is also worthwhile to take a tour to Lake Garda, as you will find very interesting wines there. In the Iseo Lake region, there are the two wine-growing areas, called Valcalepio and Franciacorta.

Very good wines you will find in the Valcalepio region, which is the area between Lake Iseo and Lake Como, more precisely, between Lake Iseo and Bergamo. Valcalepio means Calepio Valley. From the Castello Calepio the Calepio clan managed its properties and began winegrowing in the Middle Ages. Since 1976 the area has the DOC status (Denominazione di Origine controllata). In recent years these wines have developed a very high quality.

“Franciacorta” is the DOCG area between Brescia and Lake Iseo. This landmark, south of Lake Iseo offers not only wine, but numerous points of interest. The Brescian nobility had discovered this area already centuries ago for their vacation. This is why you can find and admire in this region also many castles, ancient villas and dreamy monasteries.  Franciacorta is also the name for the wines, which are very popular with connoisseurs and wine lovers. When talking about Lake Iseo, a wine lover for sure has to taste also the wines. This region is home to excellent wines and the best sparkling wines produced in the style of champagne. And Franciacorta is calles also “the Champagne of Italy”. Franciacorta wines belong internationally to the best sparkling wines and are represented in the world-wide top gastronomy.

You can start directly at the Iseo lake with the Valcalepio wines of the Winery La Rocchetta in Villongo. Then try the Franciacorta wines of the Winery Bredasole in Paratico. If you make an excursion to Lake Endine , it is worthwhile to visit th winery Caminella in Cenate Sotto to taste the Valcalepio wines. We continue with Franciacorta wines at the De Gaioncelli estate in Colombaro. Castello Bonomi, the only chateau in Franciacorta, is located on the hill of Monte Orfano in the municipality of Coccaglio.

Now you might want to try a really good, but affordable Amarone? Then it is worth to go to Colognola ai Colli to the Wine estate Villa Canestrari. You can also get a good Cabernet Sauvignon, a Tanbe (Corvina and Merlot) or other good wines in the winery! In Peschiera del Garda, the Le Morette Winery from Valerio Zenato invites you to taste a really good Lugana.

After tasting these magnificent wines, it might be a good idea to visit the Soave Castle or enjoy the famous Arena of Verona.

From grape to wine it is an interesting process. This can lead to the simple vino da Tavola, or to the top class with predicate.

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DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata):

Since 1963 In Italy the origin of a wine in an defined area is bound to a certain wine style. In addition to the permissible yield per hectare, the legal regulation also includes the authorized cultivation areas as well as the permitted grape varieties.

DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita):

Since 1983, this is the highest level of Italian wine law, reserved for few wines (for example, Barolo, Barbaresco, Chianti, Soave, Franciacorta); Strict legal requirements regarding production, e.g. Ha yields, minimum alcohol content, minimum acidity, plant density, vinification process and storage. The award of this title is made only after a tasting test by govenrmental oenologists.

IGT (Indicazione Geogafica Tipica):

IGT is the name of the category for regional country wines, which was introduced in 1992 but has only entered later into force in many places. Grape varieties, vintage and region are indicated on the label.

Vino da Tavola or in English table wine 

Wines without special quality features, partly without designation of origin and vintage. These wines however have very often a very good quality and a very good taste.