Ferrari Sparkling Wine: A Legacy Unrelated to the Car Brand but with a Unique Connection
Sept. 3, 2024 in Travel & Destinations by Julian Everett
While Ferrari sparkling wine may be a sponsor of Formula 1, it has no direct ties to the famous car brand. However, there’s an interesting connection between the two.
The Ferrari wine brand, with over 120 years of history, predates the car company by decades. Founded by Giulio Ferrari in Trento, the capital of the mountainous Alto Adige region, this winery introduced Italy to Chardonnay grapes, crafting sparkling wines using the traditional Champagne method. In the 1950s, the Ferrari wine business was sold to the Lunelli family, well-known wine merchants. It was during this time that Enzo Ferrari, the legendary car manufacturer, expressed interest in buying a stake in the winery. In his proposal, he cleverly played with Italian grammar, saying "la Ferrari e il Ferrari" to highlight the feminine and masculine articles used for cars and wine, respectively. Despite this enticing offer, the Lunelli family declined, wary of the confusion that might arise from associating a wine with an automobile brand. After all, who would trust a good wine made by car manufacturers?
Today, Formula 1 drivers celebrate victories by showering each other with Ferrari sparkling wine, much like they once did with Moet & Chandon. Visitors to the Trento winery are welcomed to explore the dramatic mountain slopes surrounding the estate, with Villa Margon, a 17th-century villa adorned with frescoes, at its heart. The experience is elevated by the Michelin-starred restaurant Locanda Margon, where chef Edoardo Fumagalli curates tasting menus designed to perfectly complement Ferrari’s sparkling wines.
