WORKING OFF OF 2 HECTARES OF VINEYARDS ON A HILL WHICH MARKS THE EXACT BORDER OF FRANCIACORTA, MATTIA CORBELLINI PRODUCES FOUR SPARKLING METODO CLASSICO THAT RESPOND TO THE STALENESS OF THE FRANCIACORTA AN APPELLATION WHICH HE EXPERIENCED AS A SOMMELIER IN HIS FAMILY’S RESTAURANT. THE HILL WHERE MATTIA’S VINES ARE LOCATED IS PART OF A NATURAL RESERVE, WHICH PROTECTS HIM FROM THE THREAT OF OUTSIDE INTERVENTION ON THE LAND. MATTIA LIVES ON THE PREMISES OF HIS AZIENDA AGRICOLA WITH HIS WIFE AND THEIR TWO TWINS, IN A CASCINA HE BOUGHT IN 2011 BUT WAS BUILT IN 1965. IN THOSE YEARS, BEFORE THE RUSH TO MAKE FRANCIACORTA HYPER-PRODUCTIVE, VINEYARDS WERE STILL PLANTED ON STEEL SLOPES (IMPOSSIBLE TO FARM MECHANICALLY) AND NOT ON THE FLAT LIKE IS NOW COMMON PRACTICE AT THE EXPENSE OF QUALITY AND WITH AN EYE TO EVER INCREASING YIELDS. HIS OLDEST VINES ARE FROM 1965, OTHERS ARE 30 YEARS OLD. HIS WORK IS ALL MANUAL, FROM THE VINEYARD TO THE DEGORGING AND LABELING. HE HAS 52 BARRELS IN A VERY LITTLE CELLAR, WHERE HE WORKS ARTISANALLY. ONLY HIS BASE WINE TAKES VERY LITTLE SULFUR WHEN NEEDED AT BOTTLING AND HE USES INDIGENOUS YEASTS IN THE FIRST FERMENTATION.