South of Brescia, three wineries produce the best white and red wines of the area. Here they are

When we think of wine produced in the province of Brescia, Franciacorta immediately comes to mind. However, if we move south of the city, beyond the A4, we find another denomination, small in size and still relatively unknown to the general public. We are talking about the DOC Capriano del Colle, established in 1980, with an annual production of between 300,000 and 350,000 bottles.

Capriano del Colle: the territory

The denomination covers the municipalities of Capriano del Colle, Poncarale, and Flero. The focal point is undoubtedly Monte Netto: a small hill that timidly rises from the vastness of the Po Valley, extending for about ten square kilometers. This area is difficult to irrigate, which is why historically, farmers preferred to plant vines here. The hill is about 300,000 years old and of alluvial-tectonic formation; the soils are mostly clayey, so much so that several brick-making quarries used to be present in the area. In the Brescia Po Valley, Monte Netto stands almost like an island, a place different from everything around it. In 2007, it became a Regional Agricultural Park to protect its biodiversity and the agricultural activities in the area.

Capriano del Colle DOC and the wines produced

Historically, the wine production in Capriano del Colle focused on red wines. The most important grape variety in the area is still Marzemino, a variety that has always been present in the area, as evidenced by some Renaissance writings that place it among the vineyards of Monte Netto; in Capriano del Colle Rosso, it is accompanied by Merlot and Sangiovese. Recently, however, producers have been working meticulously on white wines: the bright side of the denomination is entrusted to various types of Trebbiano: Soave (Turbiana or Lugana) and Tuscan. Among the wines awarded the Tre Bicchieri 2024 of Lombardy is a pure Turbiana from the DOC.

The best Capriano del Colle DOC wines

Here are the best Capriano del Colle wines that have received the Tre Bicchieri, Due Bicchieri Rossi, and Due Bicchieri in the Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia 2024 guide this year.

Davide and Giordano Lazzari passionately and dedicatedly pass on the family philosophy. Vineyard artisans dedicated to enhancing and typifying the territory and the quality of wines, with the utmost respect for the environment, they emphasize the expression of the grape-variety and environment combination. On Monte Netto, a hill of alluvial clay origin, they have 10 hectares of organically farmed vineyards dedicated to Turbiana, Marzemino, but also Sangiovese, Barbera, and some international varieties. The Fausto '22 does not disappoint compared to the excellent '21. It has an intense straw-yellow color with golden reflections; on the nose, it opens with tones of white flowers, white peach, with elegant hints of black tea and spice. On the palate, it shows minerality, acidity, and great complexity. The Fausto Origini '21 is more vertical, austere, mineral, and tense, boasting a beautiful dynamic tension. The Bastian Contrario '20 fascinates with its soft roundness and pleasantness.

• Capriano del Colle Fausto 2022 - Lazzari
• Capriano del Colle Fausto Origini 2021 - Lazzari
• Capriano del Colle Bianco Bastian Contrario 2020 - Lazzari
• Capriano del Colle Marzemino Berzamì 2022 - Lazzari
• Capriano del Colle Riserva degli Angeli 2020 - Lazzari
• Capriano del Colle Rosso Adagio 2020 - Lazzari

Anna Botti is the heir to a long family winemaking tradition dating back to 1870, although her father Ugo founded the modern company in 1982. We are in the Monte Netto area of Brescia, a small plateau suitable for viticulture thanks to soils of marine origin rich in clays, silt, and sands, with temperatures generally cooler than the nearby plain. Here, with the collaboration of her husband Marco Zizioli, an oenologist and respected consultant to numerous companies, she produces a well-crafted range of territorial wines from 9 hectares of vineyards managed with sustainability in mind. Among the reds, special mention goes to the Rubinera '21 and the Riserva Monte Bruciato '20.

• Capriano del Colle Monte Bruciato Ris. 2020 - Tenuta La Vigna
• Capriano del Colle Rosso Rubinera 2021 - Tenuta La Vigna

Elena and Mario Danesi, cousins, produce a well-crafted range of wines from the grapes of their 16 hectares on Monte Netto, in the Capriano area. Notable wines include the robust Superiore 1884 from '18 and the Carme '21, rich in fruit and smoky tones. The soft Marzemino is always interesting.

• Capriano del Colle Rosso Carme 2021 - San Michele
• Capriano del Colle Rosso Ris. 1884 2018 - San Michele