Bellavista joins the Italian Signature Wine Academy

Revered Franciacorta producer Bellavista has become part of the Italian Signature Wine Academy, joining the likes of Allegrini, Planeta and Frescobaldi in the exclusive group.

Franciacorta producer Bellavista is the latest estate to join the Italian Signature Wine Academy

The Italian Signature Wine Academy is currently formed of eight companies – Allegrini, Arnaldo Caprai, Feudi di San Gregorio, Fontanafredda, Frescobaldi, Masciarelli, Planeta and Villa Sandi.

The group has a turnover of over €300m and its joint production exceeds 50 million bottles annually. Around 80% of their wines are exported.

In an interview with dblast year, the Italian Signature Wine Academy’s president, Marilisa Allegrini, said that the group was open to the idea of welcoming new members that share the same philosophy when it comes to running their business.

“There are some characteristics that any new member must have: a 20-year track record of quality wine production and sales; being at an international level with a presence in at least 10 countries; direct control of the company by the founding families; and being representative of the wine region they belong to,” she said.

“Members of the group are also united by a far-reaching entrepreneurial vision, and the ability to innovate and invest in their brand image locally and internationally. We are open to new members, and since 2014, three wineries have joined the ISWA: Villa Sandi, Arnaldo Caprai and Masciarelli, due to their shared ideals and objectives.

“Our main goal is to create a united body of premium wines that are representative of their regions for the collective promotion of Italian fine wine around the world. We also want to become a benchmark when talking about high quality Italian wines,” she added.

The group’s latest entrant, Bellavista, is among the world’s best-known Franciacorta producers situated in the western part of the region in a natural amphitheatre.

Owning 200 hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards planted on stony soils in 10 communes within the Franciacorta DOCG, Bellavista was founded by Vittorio Moretti in the early 1970s and bottled its first vintage in 1979.

The estate’s 103 parcels of wines are vinified separately, and 15% of the wines are fermented and aged for seven months in small oak barrels. The reserve wines used in the blend hail from between six to nine earlier vintages.