Not all great sparkling wine comes from Champagne.
Italy, it turns out, can do sparkling just as well — and Cantina della Volta is proof. Based in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, this trailblazing estate made its name with Lambrusco but turned heads with its traditional-method whites, like Il Mattaglio.
The story? Winemaker Christian Bellei smuggled Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier cuttings from Champagne across the French-Italian border — risking it all to plant something extraordinary back home. Those vines laid the foundation for Il Mattaglio, a méthode champenoise Brut aged 40+ months on the lees and bursting with citrus zest, white flowers, and elegant brioche.
Refined. Risky. Rewarding.
Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Farming: Sustainable
Method: Metodo Classico (Champagne method)
Style: Dry, mineral, and classically structured
Not all great sparkling wine comes from Champagne.
Italy, it turns out, can do sparkling just as well — and Cantina della Volta is proof. Based in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, this trailblazing estate made its name with Lambrusco but turned heads with its traditional-method whites, like Il Mattaglio.
The story? Winemaker Christian Bellei smuggled Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier cuttings from Champagne across the French-Italian border — risking it all to plant something extraordinary back home. Those vines laid the foundation for Il Mattaglio, a méthode champenoise Brut aged 40+ months on the lees and bursting with citrus zest, white flowers, and elegant brioche.
Refined. Risky. Rewarding.
Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Farming: Sustainable
Method: Metodo Classico (Champagne method)
Style: Dry, mineral, and classically structured
The first producer in Modena to champion metodo champenoise production for Lambrusco grapes. Christian Bellei and his father both spent time in Epernay, learning the champenoise method and deciding to apply it to their native Lambrusco. Their family winery has become one of Italy's most prestigious sparkling winemakers, producing all forms of Lambrusco while also working with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
