The wineries in Franciacorta are a must to visit. There are two reasons - the excellent wines and the splendid buildings where they are made, usually historic aristocratic residences or renovated farmhouses.
An excellent guide is available from the Franciacorta Wine Consortium complete with itineraries (the map can be requested directly from the Consortium's offices in Erbusco).

The wines

Franciacorta D.O.C.G. This is the Champagne of Italy and in 1995 was the first to receive the D.O.C.G denomination, the highest Italian recognition for wines of exceptional quality. There are four types: Brut, Extrabrut, Millesimato and Satèn.
Terre di Franciacorta Rosso D.O.C. This is produced using mainly Cabernet franc, Merlot and Cabernet sauvignon grapes but also Barbera and Nebbiolo in small amounts.
Terre di Franciacorta Bianco D.O.C. This wine is mostly made from Chardonnay grapes with the addition of Pinot bianco.

Villas and castles

Franciacorta was the Brescian nobility's favourite location for their country houses and the countryside is dotted with villas surrounded by picturesque gardens.
Most of them are in private hands and so cannot be visited but their façades and parks can be seen from the road. There are also many castles and towers in Franciacorta. The older ones generally date from the Middle Ages, Bornato Castle can be visited on reservation; the castle is surrounded by crenellated walls, bastions and a dykes.
Besides its interior, also open to the public is its 17^th century Italian garden.

Handcrafts