Lombardy is Italy’s wealthiest and most industrious region, home to Milan, Lake Como, and the southern shores of Lake Garda. It is not the first place most travelers think of for wine, and that is exactly why it rewards a closer look. Within a couple of hours of Milan you can drink some of Italy’s finest sparkling wine, taste Alpine reds grown on vertiginous mountain terraces, and sip a crisp white on the shore of Lake Garda.
The region’s wines fall into four very different zones. Franciacorta, near Lake Iseo, makes Italy’s benchmark traditional-method sparkling wine. Valtellina, up against the Swiss border, grows Nebbiolo on steep stone terraces. Oltrepò Pavese, south of the Po, is a stronghold of Pinot Nero. And the south shore of Lake Garda produces the fresh white Lugana. Below is our guide to the best wineries to visit across Lombardy, along with where to eat, where to stay, and how to plan the trip.
RELATED: Lombardy Wine Region Guide: Franciacorta, Valtellina & Lugana
In This Guide
- Background on the Lombardy Wine Region
- Travel Logistics
- Best Wineries in Lombardy
- Where to Eat
- Where to Stay
- What to Pack
- Frequently Asked Questions about Lombardy Wineries
Wines of Lombardy
Franciacorta is the name most wine lovers know. Made near Lake Iseo from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco, it is produced by the same method as Champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle and long aging on the lees. It was the first Italian sparkling wine to earn DOCG status, and at its best it rivals Champagne while showing a rounder, fruitier character.
Valtellina could not be more different. Here Nebbiolo, known locally as Chiavennasca, is grown on steep terraces carved into the Alpine mountainsides, producing elegant, high-altitude reds like Sassella, Grumello, and Inferno, plus the powerful dried-grape Sforzato. Oltrepò Pavese, south of the Po river, is one of Italy’s most important sources of Pinot Nero, both still and sparkling. And on the south shore of Lake Garda, the Turbiana grape makes the fresh, easygoing white Lugana. For a fuller look at the region’s zones, see our Lombardy wine region guide.
Travel Logistics
Lombardy is easy to reach. Milan has two international airports, Malpensa and Linate, and Bergamo’s Orio al Serio is the closest to Franciacorta, about 40 kilometers away. Verona is handy for Lake Garda and the eastern side of the region. You can watch for flight deals with Skyscanner as you plan.
The wine zones spread out in different directions, so plan around one or two rather than trying to see them all. Franciacorta is about an hour from Milan by car, or reachable by train via Brescia. Valtellina is served by a direct train from Milan to Sondrio in about two hours, though a car helps for reaching the terraced cellars. Lake Garda’s south shore has its own station at Desenzano on the Milan to Verona line.
Once you are in wine country, a car is the easiest way to move between estates, which are spread across small hill towns and, in Valtellina, up steep mountain roads. In Franciacorta you can also hire a driver or join an organized tour. Nearly all the wineries below ask you to book ahead, and the most prestigious Franciacorta houses can sell out weeks in advance, so reserve early.
Best Wineries for Wine Tasting in Lombardy
The wineries below cover Lombardy’s four main wine zones, from the sparkling houses of Franciacorta to the Alpine cellars of Valtellina and the lakeside estates of Lugana. Almost all receive visitors by appointment, so book ahead and confirm hours and fees before you go.
Ca’ del Bosco
Via Albano Zanella 13, Erbusco (Franciacorta)
What Guests Like About It: One of Franciacorta’s flagship houses, as much art gallery as winery
At Erbusco, in the heart of Franciacorta, Ca’ del Bosco is one of the region’s most prestigious estates and one of its most striking to visit. The winery is filled with contemporary art, and guided tours lead through the old barrel rooms and the vaulted “Cupola” cellar before a tasting of the metodo classico wines.
The wines to look for are the Cuvée Prestige and, at the top, the Annamaria Clementi. Tours run about an hour and a half and can be booked online, with private options on request. Reserve well ahead.
Bellavista
Erbusco (Franciacorta)
What Guests Like About It: A benchmark Franciacorta house with tours that book out well ahead
Founded in 1977 by Vittorio Moretti, Bellavista is one of the largest and most admired names in Franciacorta. Tastings are by appointment and lead through the production areas, the vineyards, and the aging tunnels dug into the Bellavista hill, ending with a flight of the house’s elegant sparkling wines.
Because the tours are popular and numbers are limited, they tend to sell out, so book well in advance. It is a polished, memorable introduction to top-tier Franciacorta.
Guido Berlucchi
Piazza Duranti 4, Borgonato di Corte Franca (Franciacorta)
What Guests Like About It: The birthplace of Franciacorta, with tours of 17th-century underground cellars
Franciacorta as we know it started here. In 1961, Guido Berlucchi produced the region’s first traditional-method sparkling wine, and the estate still keeps that iconic first bottle. Tours descend into cellars dug in the 1680s, some ten meters underground, and finish with a sommelier-guided tasting.
Several visit packages are offered, with food pairings that can include Slow Food specialties like Bagòss cheese. Tours run at weekends and on weekdays when space allows, by reservation.
Barone Pizzini
Via San Carlo 14, Provaglio d’Iseo (Franciacorta)
What Guests Like About It: Franciacorta’s organic pioneer, in a green-built, sustainable cellar
At Provaglio d’Iseo, Barone Pizzini was the first winery in Franciacorta to farm organically, and its sustainable cellar, built with solar power and natural cooling, is part of the story. Tours cover the origins of Franciacorta and the principles of organic viticulture before the tasting.
Tastings are available by walk-in or appointment, with published prices from €20 to €35. It is a thoughtful, low-key alternative to the grander houses nearby. Booking ahead is recommended.
Mosnel
Camignone di Passirano (Franciacorta)
What Guests Like About It: A historic family estate with 16th-century cellars and a vineyard picnic option
A family winery since 1836, Mosnel makes organic Franciacorta and shows it off in 16th-century cellars. The standard visit is a guided cellar tour followed by a choice of three of the five house styles, from Brut to Pas Dosé and Rosé, served with local bread, salami, and cheese.
In good weather you can also book a vineyard picnic, which comes with a backpack of food, glasses, and a bottle to enjoy among the vines. Reservations are required.
Ferghettina
Adro (Franciacorta)
What Guests Like About It: Modern Franciacorta known for its distinctive four-sided bottle
Founded in 1990 by Roberto Gatti, Ferghettina has quickly become one of Franciacorta’s most respected names, instantly recognizable for its patented four-sided, pyramid-shaped bottle. The modern winery is built of brick and stone and set into the landscape at Adro.
Guided cellar tours end with a tasting of the Franciacorta range, and the estate can tailor visits for larger groups. Book ahead to arrange your visit.
Contadi Castaldi
Via Colzano 32, Adro (Franciacorta)
What Guests Like About It: A characterful winery in a converted brick kiln, with a range of tasting options
Set in a converted 1880s brick kiln at Adro, Contadi Castaldi is part of Vittorio Moretti’s Terra Moretti group and makes a broad, well-priced range of Franciacorta, from Brut and Satèn to Rosé and reserves.
Four different tour-and-tasting options are offered, with prices from €15 to €45 depending on the experience. Visits are on request, so contact the winery to book a time.
Nino Negri
Chiuro (Valtellina)
What Guests Like About It: Valtellina’s best-known house, set in a 15th-century castle
Up in the Alpine valley of Valtellina, Nino Negri is the best-known producer of the region’s terraced-mountain Nebbiolo. The winery occupies the 15th-century Quadrio Castle above a warren of underground cellars, and its Sfursat 5 Stelle, a powerful dried-grape red, is the flagship.
Tours take in the castle and cellars and include tasting two wines from barrel and then in bottle, a rare chance to see how these wines evolve. Book ahead to visit.
AR.PE.PE.
Sondrio (Valtellina)
What Guests Like About It: A cult family estate making traditional, long-aged Alpine Nebbiolo
For many wine lovers, AR.PE.PE. is the soul of Valtellina. Run by the Pelizzatti Perego family across five generations, it makes delicate, remarkably long-lived Nebbiolo from terraced holdings in Grumello, Sassella, and Inferno, in a traditional style that has become quietly famous.
A visit usually means a walk in the vines, a tour of the cellar, and a tasting of current releases with enthusiastic family hosts. This is a working cellar, so visits are strictly by appointment. Contact the estate to arrange one.
Rainoldi
Chiuro (Valtellina)
What Guests Like About It: A classic Valtellina house with a clearly priced cellar tour and tasting
Founded in 1925, Rainoldi is a family name synonymous with Valtellina Nebbiolo. Its holdings center on the prized Sassella subzone, and the range runs across Sassella, Grumello, and Inferno, plus the dried-grape Sfursat.
A guided cellar tour with a tasting of five wines is offered for €20, a straightforward way to get to know the appellation. Contact the winery to reserve.
Mamete Prevostini
Via Don Primo Lucchinetti 63, Mese (Valtellina)
What Guests Like About It: A modern, sustainable winery with a family restaurant and rooms
Split between a historic cellar in Valchiavenna and an innovative, energy-efficient winery in the terraced zone, Mamete Prevostini makes elegant Valtellina reds and offers two experiential tasting routes, including a caveau set inside a natural rock crotto.
The family also runs the Crotasc restaurant above the crotto, serving Valtellina classics, with a few rooms to stay the night. It makes an easy one-stop base in the valley. Book ahead for tastings and meals.
Ca’ Maiol
Desenzano del Garda (Lugana)
What Guests Like About It: A leading Lugana estate on the south shore of Lake Garda
On the Lombardy side of the south Garda shore, Ca’ Maiol has farmed the Turbiana grape around a 1710 farmhouse since 1967. Its Lugana whites are fresh and mineral, and the estate practices sustainable, gravity-fed winemaking across a large holding of vines.
Guided tours and tutored tastings are available and should be booked in advance, and there is a showroom shop on site. It is an easy add-on to a stay on Lake Garda.
Ca’ dei Frati
Sirmione (Lugana)
What Guests Like About It: The benchmark Lugana producer, on the Garda peninsula near Sirmione
Near the resort town of Sirmione, Ca’ dei Frati has been making wine since 1782 and is the reference name for Lugana, above all its I Frati bottling. The family-run estate is a fixture of the south Garda wine scene.
The Wine Experience is a roughly hour-long guided visit with the family’s sommelier, tasting three wines with a savory aperitif from the family’s own pastry shop. The winery and shop are open Monday to Saturday, with evening and Sunday visits by reservation.
Monsupello
Torricella Verzate (Oltrepò Pavese)
What Guests Like About It: The reference producer for Oltrepò Pavese sparkling wine
In the hills of Oltrepò Pavese, south of the Po and often overlooked, Monsupello is the benchmark for the region’s traditional-method sparkling wine, made largely from Pinot Nero. The Boatti family has farmed here since 1893.
Vineyard and cellar visits are guided by the family, a good way to discover a corner of Lombardy that few international visitors reach. Contact the estate to arrange a visit.
Want more options? Browse our full Lombardy wine region guide and winery directory to keep exploring.
Where to Eat
Lombardy eats as well as it drinks, and the food changes with the wine. In Franciacorta and around Brescia, expect refined regional cooking to match the sparkling wine. In Valtellina the food is hearty and Alpine: pizzoccheri, the buckwheat pasta baked with cabbage, potato, and mountain cheese; sciatt, cheese-filled fritters; and air-dried bresaola. On Lake Garda, look for lake fish and simple, sunny cooking.
Due Colombe al Borgo Antico
Borgonato di Corte Franca (Franciacorta)
In the Franciacorta village of Borgonato, Due Colombe holds one Michelin star for chef Stefano Cerveni’s cooking, which pairs local Franciacorta terroir with modern technique. It is the obvious choice for a special dinner among the vineyards. Book ahead.
LeoneFelice Vista Lago
Erbusco (Franciacorta)
Inside the L’Albereta hotel at Erbusco, LeoneFelice Vista Lago serves refined cooking with a view over Lake Iseo. It sits in the Michelin Guide and makes an elegant lunch or dinner at the luxurious heart of Franciacorta.
Crotasc
Mese (Valtellina)
Run by the Mamete Prevostini winery, Crotasc serves Valtellina classics like pizzoccheri and bresaola above a natural rock crotto, paired with the family’s own mountain wines. It is a warm, authentic stop in the valley.
Where to Stay in Lombardy Wine Country
Where you stay depends on which wine zone you are exploring. Franciacorta and Lake Iseo have the most polished options, Valtellina leans toward simpler mountain hotels, and the south shore of Lake Garda offers resort towns like Sirmione.
L’Albereta Relais & Châteaux
Erbusco (Franciacorta)
The grande dame of Franciacorta, L’Albereta is a Relais & Châteaux country retreat set in vineyards and gardens above Lake Iseo, with a large spa, a gourmet restaurant, and a long association with the late chef Gualtiero Marchesi. It is the luxurious heart of the region. Check prices and availability on Tripadvisor.
Villa Franciacorta
Monticelli Brusati (Franciacorta)
For a stay on a working wine estate, Villa Franciacorta offers apartments in a restored 16th-century hamlet, the Villa Gradoni, among organic vineyards, with an on-site osteria. The family makes only vintage Franciacorta and can arrange tastings during your stay. Check prices on Tripadvisor.
Grand Hotel Terme, Sirmione
Sirmione (Lake Garda)
If you are basing yourself on the south shore of Lake Garda for Lugana, the resort town of Sirmione is the classic choice, with lakefront hotels and thermal spas. It puts you within easy reach of Ca’ dei Frati and the other Lugana estates. Compare Sirmione hotels on Tripadvisor.
What to Pack
What to pack depends on which zone you visit and when. Franciacorta and Lake Garda have a temperate climate softened by the lakes, with warm summers and mild winters. Autumn days average around 19°C (66°F). For a summer or shoulder-season visit to Franciacorta or Garda, pack light layers, something smart-casual for the better restaurants, and a swimsuit if you are near the lake.
Valtellina is a different world. It is Alpine, so it runs cooler, especially in the mornings and evenings and at altitude, and the terraced vineyards involve real walking. Pack warm layers and sturdy, comfortable shoes even in summer, and add a proper jacket in spring or autumn. Spring and early autumn are the best times to visit across the region, mild and scenic, with the harvest atmosphere in September. Winters are quiet and cold, especially in the mountains. Comfortable shoes are essential everywhere.
Peruse the Winetraveler Shop for some of our trending casual vineyard-hopping apparel, ideal for a day out among the vines.
The Magic of Lombardy
Few regions pack as much variety into so short a drive. In a single trip from Milan you can toast with a glass of Franciacorta among manicured vineyards, climb into the Alps to taste Nebbiolo grown on dizzying stone terraces, and end the day with a cool Lugana on the shore of Lake Garda. Lombardy is not the obvious Italian wine choice, and that is precisely its appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lombardy Wineries
What is Franciacorta?
Franciacorta is Italy’s premier traditional-method sparkling wine, made in Lombardy near Lake Iseo. It uses the same technique as Champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle and long aging on the lees, mostly from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero. It was the first Italian sparkling wine to earn DOCG status, in 1995, and tends to show a rounder, fruitier character than Champagne.
What is Lombardy wine known for?
Lombardy is known for four very different wines. Franciacorta is its famous traditional-method sparkling. Valtellina makes elegant Alpine Nebbiolo, including the powerful dried-grape Sforzato. Oltrepò Pavese is a major source of Pinot Nero, and the south shore of Lake Garda produces the fresh white Lugana. Few Italian regions offer such variety within a short drive.
Is Valtellina worth visiting?
Very much so. Valtellina is a dramatic Alpine valley where Nebbiolo grows on thousands of kilometers of steep, hand-built dry-stone terraces. The wines are elegant and distinctive, the scenery is spectacular, and the prices are reasonable for the quality. It is one of Italy’s great under-the-radar wine regions, reachable by direct train from Milan.
How do you get to Lombardy wine country from Milan?
Franciacorta is about an hour from Milan by car, or reachable by train via Brescia. Valtellina has a direct train from Milan to Sondrio in about two hours. The south shore of Lake Garda is served by the Desenzano station on the Milan to Verona line. A car is the easiest way to move between wineries once you arrive.
You are reading “Best Wineries to Visit & Where to Stay in Lombardy, Italy.”
For more wineries, travel guides, and itineraries in Italy, please browse our directory: Italy wine travel destinations.
Lombardy wine region travel guide, best wineries to visit in Lombardy, Franciacorta wineries, Valtellina wine, Lugana Lake Garda, Franciacorta tasting
Collect your Winetraveler passport — tap the regions & grapes you’ve tasted. Your stamps follow you across the whole site.
- Curious1 stamps
- Explorer3 stamps
- Connoisseur6 stamps
- Sommelier12 stamps
- Vigneron20 stamps
Your stamps are saved on this device.