A new generation has taken the reins at Bellavista, making careful changes to this iconic estate. Founded in 1977 by Vittorio Moretti, Bellavista has grown from a small hobby vineyard to a production of 1.5 million bottles a year. For 40 years from 1981, Moretti worked alongside oenologist Mattia Vezzola to become one of the leading producers in Franciacorta. When Vezzola retired in 2021, a new era began with Moretti’s daughter, Francesca, taking over as winemaker, under the consultancy of family friend and mentor, Richard Geoffroy, the former chef de cave at Dom Pérignon.
The Bellavista winery was founded in 1977 in Erbusco by the Moretti family. Extending over 207 hectares of land, the Bellavista winery produces 1,500,000 bottles a year, according to organic viticulture principles.
This new leadership has been implementing micro changes at Bellavista, looking to increase quality in both the vineyard and winery. I was invited to visit the winery for a tasting with Francesca Moretti to discover more about this current era at Bellavista.
In the vineyard, adapting to climate change has been a key consideration. Moretti views this as “climate evolution not revolution,” approaching change thoughtfully. One significant decision has been to stop irrigating established vines, even in emergencies. This was not easy given its 210 hectares of vineyards, Moretti explains, but they believe dry farming forces roots deeper, ensuring long-term survival. The team has also stopped leaf stripping (a common practice in Franciacorta) in order to shade the fruit, and experiments with mulching for temperature and moisture control are now being rolled out across all vineyards.
Francesca Moretti has taken over as winemaker, under the consultancy of family friend and mentor, Richard Geoffroy, the former chef de cave at Dom Pérignon.
Moretti comments that it is the work in the winery which is really making the difference to the quality of the wines, by focusing on the differences in plots and vintages for blends. While old oak is still used to give the most “truthful expression” of the wines, they are continuously experimenting.
Moretti says the wines are now linked more than ever to “our Franciacorta and our sense of place.” Sense of place has become Bellavista's mantra, with Moretti keen to highlight the richness of Franciacorta's terroir. She describes Alma Assemblage as a “photograph” of their land.
Since the 1970s Bellavista has owned parcels of land in almost every town throughout Franciacorta, giving the estate the opportunity to showcase the region's diversity through the three main varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco. For Moretti, this means capturing “the best expression of the places,” through understanding each individual plot: its soils, its microclimate, whether it is influenced by a certain breeze or by heat reflected from ancient villa walls. “Interpreting these small differences is key,” she explains.
6.5 million bottles are stored in the cellars
After a tour around the cellars, where 6.5 million bottles (impressively all hand-riddled) are stored in over a kilometre of tunnels, we start the tasting with the new interpretations of the non-vintage wines. Alma Assemblage 1 is based on harvest 2021 and made from 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Nero. A linear and precise wine with zero dosage, showing an expressive nose of ripe yellow apple and brioche.
The newly released Alma Assemblage 2 is based on harvest 2022 and is the first since Richard Geoffroy started working with the team. Ripe apples and citrus mingle with white flowers, building to a toasty finish. Moretti comments that she feels the florality and freshness are better preserved in this incarnation of Assemblage.
Satén 2020 is made from 100% Chardonnay, harvested from vineyards in hilly areas. Elegant and long with a soft, fine mousse, the wine shows bright citrus and crisp apple alongside floral notes, finishing with a subtle nuttiness.
Teatro alla Scala Brut 2020 is dedicated to a partnership with La Scala theatre in Milan. When the opera season opens each December, Bellavista releases the new vintage, a cuvée Moretti refers to as Bellavista’s most harmonious and elegant wine, “uniting the two souls of Franciacorta: Chardonnay and Pinot Nero.” The nose shows plenty of red apple alongside white flowers and lime, underpinned by toasty notes.
The Rosé 2020 is still majority Chardonnay, but “represents the strength of Pinot Nero.” With a fuller body, redcurrants and berries combine with vanilla, biscuit and a hint of spice, and a high proportion of oak adds texture.
Vittorio Moretti 2016 is dedicated to Bellavista’s founder and is only produced in the best vintages. Aged on the lees for seven years it offers a savoury, smoky nose with complex layers of citrus, toast, nuts and baked apple skin.
In 2018 the family took over management of the monastery and have turned it into a boutique hotel
As well as Franciacorta sparkling wines, Bellavista’s commitment to expressing terroir extends to a still Curtefranca DOC from Convento Santissima Annunciata in Rovato. The monastery itself dates back to the fifteenth century and there is evidence that vines have been cultivated on the site for over 1000 years. The Moretti family took over management of the vineyard in 1980, followed by management of the monastery in 2018, after which it carried out an enormous renovation project on the dilapidated building, turning it into a boutique hotel which maintains the spirit of the monastery.
The 3-hectare vineyard on the hills at the monastery is south facing and of older origin than other parts of Franciacorta. Despite its small size, there are certain differences across the plot, with the southeast providing fruit which is fresher and more aromatic, and the rest giving structure and body.
Recognising those nuances, the team at Bellavista has now started making separate vinifications for different plots in the vineyard. They are also experimenting with a proportion of new oak, and different yeasts. Convento Santissima Annunciata 2023 is a rich and age-worthy Chardonnay with almond blossom, ripe stone fruit and hints of Mediterranean herbs on the finish, well-balanced and elegant.
The careful adjustments made under Moretti and Geoffroy's partnership are bringing incremental but meaningful improvements to Bellavista's wines. By focusing on individual plots, experimenting thoughtfully, and embracing Franciacorta's diverse terroirs, this new generation is building on Vittorio Moretti's legacy while looking to the future with their own vision.
Bellavista wines are available in the UK through Hallgarten & Novum which is a commercial partner of The Buyer. To discover more about them click here.
