Montenisa
In 1905, Antinori was among the first to produce a sparkling wine in Italy with the classic Champagne method. Since that time, the family has always had a special fondness for the challenges and rewards of sparkling wine production. But it was not until the acquisition of the Montenisa estate in 1999, and its first release in 2003, that Antinori began making a sparkling wine which could be exported to the United States.
The Montenisa estate is located in Franciacorta, a sub-region of Lombardia. The area has proven itself as the best in Italy for bottle-fermented sparkling wines, and was granted the prestigious DOCG designation in 1995. Franciacorta is now raising interest in the international market as a “niche,” sophisticated alternative to Champagne.
