October 14th: Ca'del Bosco with Maurizio Zanella
At Vinonueva | 5145 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, 33137 | 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Click HERE to get tickets
In partnership with Herita USA
Join us for Walkthrough Tasting guided by Maurizio Zanella.
Maurizio Zanella, was born in Bolzano, Alto Adige, he is widely recognized as the visionary behind Ca’ del Bosco and one of the driving forces in Franciacorta’s rise as a fine-wine region.
Zanella pursued studies in enology in Beaune and Bordeaux in the 1970s, bringing new ideas and a global perspective back to Franciacorta. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ca’ del Bosco was producing wines that would put the region on the map.
From 2009 to 2018, he also served as president of the Franciacorta Consortium, helping to guide and promote the appellation during a key period of its growth.
Photo: Maurizio Zanella - Credits: Wine Spectator
BACKGROUND
Origins and History
Ca’ del Bosco is one of the defining names in Franciacorta, Italy’s premier region for traditional-method sparkling wines. The story begins in 1964, when Maurizio's mother, Annamaria Clementi Zanella bought a small house with a few hectares of land in Erbusco, at the time a remote area of overgrown woods and abandoned plots. Her husband, Albano, pictured a smallholding with animals and orchards, and under the guidance of Franco Ziliani of Guido Berlucchi, a first vineyard was planted in 1968. The aim was modest—grapes for Berlucchi and a little wine for family use—reflecting a period when Italy’s fine wine culture was still in its infancy. Franciacorta had only just been recognized as a DOC in 1967, and most of the region’s early production was led by Berlucchi, which dominated sparkling wine locally.
After a few unruly years, Maurizio Zanella was sent to Ca’ del Bosc to keep him out of mischief and enrolled in accounting at the local college in Iseo. He spent his free time riding his motorbike through the hills and woods, with little sense of direction beyond that passion. Everything changed when, he joined a trip to Burgundy and Champagne. What began as an excuse to travel soon became a turning point: inspired by what he saw, and with the support of his parents, he set out to transform the family’s small farm into one of Italy’s most important sparkling wine estates.
By the mid-1970s, Ca’ del Bosco had released its first spumante, and in 1989 its prestige cuvée—named Annamaria Clementi in honor of the founder—became a benchmark for the region. Today, Ca’ del Bosco is part of the Santa Margherita group but continues to be led by Maurizio Zanella.
Vineyards and Farming
From the beginning, Ca’ del Bosco has pushed the boundaries of viticulture in Italy. In 1979, they planted vines at a density of 10,000 per hectare, a practice that was unusual at the time in the country. Over time, the estate expanded to more than 450 hectares, with 280 hectares planted to vine. Since the late 1980s, it has been farmed organically, officially certified since 2014. Vineyards are interspersed with woods, meadows, and olive groves, creating a diverse ecosystem. The main grapes are Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco, though the local Erbamat has also been introduced to blends to strengthen regional identity and resilience. Chardonnay is the backbone, with many plantings now 30 years or older.
Innovation – The Ca’ del Bosco Method
In the cellar, Ca’ del Bosco is equally known for technical precision. Grapes are hand-harvested, kept in small crates, cooled, and carefully selected. Since 2008, every bunch passes through what the estate calls the “grape spa,” a gentle washing and drying system that removes dust and microorganisms. Fermentations are handled with minimal oxygen contact, allowing the winery to reduce sulfite use—so much so that exact sulfite levels are printed on the back labels. Individual vineyard plots are often vinified separately, preserving nuance and giving the team flexibility in blending.
The wines and style
The wines reflect both the estate’s commitment to nature and its embrace of innovation. The flagship Cuvée Prestige is a multi-vintage blend that captures the house style with consistency and finesse, drawing from reserve wines to add depth. In contrast, the Cuvée Annamaria Clementi is made only in the best years, aged extensively in barrel and then for many years on the lees—often around eight—before release. Each bottle is individually numbered, underscoring the care and traceability behind it. The Vintage Collection offers dated expressions of Franciacorta. Adittionally Ca' del Bosco produces a range of still red and white wines.
Taken together, Ca’ del Bosco represents a balance between respect for tradition and bold innovation. The wines are precise, pure, and consistent, showing the richness of Franciacorta while maintaining finesse. Through Maurizio Zanella’s vision, the estate helped shape Franciacorta into what it is today: not just Italy’s answer to Champagne, but a fine-wine region with its own identity and style.
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Ca' del Bosco - Cuvée Prestige Franciacorta NV
- Ca' del Bosco - Franciacorta Cuvée Annamaria Clementi 2015
- Ca' del Bosco - Franciacorta Rosé Cuvée Annamaria Clementi 2016
- Ca' del Bosco - Dosage Zero Millesimato Franciacorta 2020 (Vintage Collection)
- Ca' del Bosco - Maurizio Zanella 2020 (Red)
- Ca' del Bosco - Selva della Tesa 2020 (white)
Photo credits: Ca' del Bosco