Montina, a summer of events in France

Montina, a family-owned winery located in Monticelli Brusati, is gearing up for a busy summer season filled with cultural and culinary events, alongside ongoing investments in sustainability and expansion. The estate, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2027, has scheduled several key activities throughout July and September, including the annual "Cena sotto le Stelle" dinner under the stars, an exhibition dedicated to artist Mariano Carraro, and participation in the Franciacorta Wine Festival. The summer begins on Saturday, July 25, with the traditional "Cena sotto le Stelle" event at Villa Baiana. This year’s theme is "Scintillante," highlighting sparkling wines. Attendees will begin with a guided tour of the winery, followed by a dinner featuring live music, cooking demonstrations, and six themed food stations offering everything from seafood and meat dishes to vegetarian options and freshly prepared desserts. The evening will include tastings of Montina's flagship Franciacorta wines, with advance reservations required. From September 1 to October 11, the estate’s contemporary art gallery will host an exhibition titled "Vedere Oltre," showcasing works by Mariano Carraro, a local artist known for his contributions to glasswork and painting. The exhibition explores themes of vision and portraiture, emphasizing materiality and the influence of glassmaking techniques. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the exhibit during guided tours of the winery. In September, Montina will participate in the 30th edition of the Franciacorta Wine Festival. The winery plans to offer a range of experiences over two days, starting with guided visits through vineyards, historical galleries, and production areas to explain the Franciacorta method and the work behind the wine. On the second day, visitors can sample the entire range of Montina’s wines, enjoy food stalls featuring regional specialties, and end the weekend with a DJ session among the vines. Behind these events lies a period of transformation within the company. Since 2025, Montina has been recognized as an Agricultural Company, reinforcing direct control over the grape-growing process and production. That same year, Raoul Bontempi joined the management team as CEO of Bontempi Vibo, through the family’s holding company Finan Service, with an investment aimed at supporting the winery’s growth initiatives. Simultaneously, the estate has continued expanding its vineyard holdings. A new 10-hectare planting was completed in Gussago, additional land was acquired within the Franciacorta region, and new plots were purchased for future plantings. These efforts aim to increase self-sufficiency in production and ensure the quality of the grapes used. Environmental improvements include the installation of photovoltaic systems to meet much of the winery’s energy needs, while new roles have been created in administrative, production, and hospitality departments. Commercially, the 2025 season concluded with stable results compared to the previous year. Export growth offset a slight decline in the business channel, with the Satèn and low dosage labels being particularly sought after.