Azienda Agricola Massussi Franciacorta:
A legacy of passion and excellence
Nestled in the heart of the Franciacorta region, Azienda Agricola Massussi is a small but mighty winery with a rich history that spans generations. Located at one of the highest points in the area, at 400 meters above sea level, the vineyards cover just under two hectares. This small-scale operation, dedicated to producing high-end Franciacorta sparkling wines, is a hidden gem that embodies the essence of terroir, where the land, climate, and human passion converge to create something truly exceptional.
A journey through time: From Ruggeri to Massussi
The story of Azienda Agricola Massussi began in 1985 when Giuseppina Ruggeri and her husband, Vittorio Massussi, established the winery with the invaluable support of Giuseppina’s father, Agostino. The initial years were shaped by hard work and a deep love for the land, which was passed down from generation to generation. The family’s passion for viticulture traces back to the late 19th century, when Vittorio’s great-grandfather, Luigi, was already making red wine in the region.
Originally named Ruggeri, after Giuseppina’s maiden name, the winery received significant national recognition in 2011, with features in prestigious guides like Veronelli and Slow Food. However, the similarity to the name of a well-known Prosecco producer led to confusion, prompting the family to rebrand as Massussi, honoring both the current family manager, Luigi Massussi, and his great-great-grandfather Luigi, who shared the same unwavering dedication to the craft.
The Winemaker: Luigi Massussi
Today, Luigi Massussi stands at the helm of the winery, carrying forward his family’s legacy with a singular focus on producing exceptional Franciacorta sparkling wines. His journey into winemaking was inspired by his ancestors, whose love for the land and the vine was deeply ingrained in him from a young age. Luigi’s approach to winemaking is both artisanal and innovative, reflecting a deep respect for tradition while embracing modern techniques that enhance the quality of his wines.
Luigi is renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, particularly in his unique approach to blending. Each year, he carefully assembles his wines from various selections, interpreting the nuances of the season and the characteristics of his grapes. This method, driven by intuition and experience, allows him to craft wines that are a true expression of the terroir, with each vintage offering something new and exciting.
Marco’s personal notes
At Porcalorca, we proudly promote high-quality, small, and exclusive winemakers whose stories we love to share with our customers. When Jeanette and I met Luigi for the first time, we immediately realized he was the perfect winemaker who fit our philosophy, and we are proud to introduce his wine to our Danish customers.
Luigi Massussi is the smallest winemaker in Franciacorta, the renowned Italian excellence known for its sparkling wines. His vineyards are the highest in the area, covering only 1,5 hectares of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. Luigi assembles his wine differently each year, blending wines uniquely to best interpret the season based on his experience and deep understanding of his grapes (by the way, he was unaware that a famous Champagne house follows the same philosophy). He truly embodies what we call “terroir”: the union of human effort and passion, climate and soil conditions, traditions, and history of the region. Luigi speaks about how he crafts his wine, the challenges posed by climate change, his philosophy, and the characteristics of this terroir.
Luigi is deeply committed to the health of his vineyards, maintaining organic production certification until 2023, although in practice, his methods remain organic to this day. The soil and climate at this altitude allow for winemaking that requires no artificial interventions in the cellar, resulting in excellent acidity and minerality. Very little sugar is added in the wine, as Luigi aims to preserve the true character of his grapes without altering them. He uses indigenous yeasts in the fermentation of the base wine and neutral yeasts in the second fermentation, always staying true to his philosophy where the grapes themselves are the primary voice in the wine.
We are proud to exclusively present to our Danish wine lovers the finest expression of Luigi’s Franciacorta, the “Cuvée del Lago Millesimato 2018.”