Ferrari Trento
Italian producer of Trentodoc sparkling wines made using the traditional method.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Ferrari Trento, also known as Cantine Ferrari, is an Italian sparkling-wine producer based in Trento and the principal wine brand of the Lunelli Group. The company specializes in Metodo Classico, the traditional bottle-fermentation method associated internationally with Champagne-style sparkling wine. Its wines are produced under the Trentodoc designation, a regulated appellation for traditional-method sparkling wines from Trentino. The business traces its origins to Giulio Ferrari, who was born in 1879 in Calceranica al Lago, then part of the Austrian County of Tyrol. In 1902, Ferrari began developing sparkling wine in Austria and Italy using a method that involved extended aging, generally for four to five years. His work established the technical and commercial foundation for the winery that later carried his name. Ferrari had no children and, as he became older, selected Bruno Lunelli as his successor in 1952. Lunelli owned a wine shop in Trento and took over a small operation producing approximately 9,000 bottles annually. Under the Lunelli family, Ferrari developed from a small local producer into a major Italian sparkling-wine house. Bruno Lunelli transferred responsibility to his children in 1969, beginning the family's second generation of management. The business subsequently passed into a third generation that includes Matteo Lunelli, identified as president and chief executive, together with Camilla Lunelli, Alessandro Lunelli, and Marcello Lunelli. Ferrari Trento is now described as the largest company within the Lunelli Group, whose wider portfolio includes wine, bottled water, grappa and spirits, and hospitality activities. The brand's production is centered on long maturation in its cellars. The referenced company description states that more than 24 million bottles are stored there at different stages of fermentation and aging, with cellar time ranging from at least two years to as much as fifteen years. This emphasis on bottle aging, Alpine origin, and the Trentodoc appellation supports Ferrari Trento's positioning as a premium Italian alternative within the traditional-method sparkling-wine category. Its portfolio includes Brut and Rosé expressions, while the brand's public identity extends beyond retail wine through high-profile event partnerships. Beginning with the 2021 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Ferrari Trento became the official toast of Formula One, replacing Carbon champagne. The arrangement was renewed in 2022 for a further three years, giving the brand an international platform connected with motorsport hospitality and podium celebrations. In 2022, the Ferrari Trento vineyard also entered William Reed's World's Best Vineyards ranking, reportedly moving up 50 positions in that edition. The combination of Italian heritage, Trentodoc certification, extended aging, family ownership, and global event visibility defines Ferrari Trento's current market profile.
History
Ferrari Trento began with Giulio Ferrari, a Trentino-born winemaker whose work connected the region with traditional-method sparkling wine. Ferrari was born on 9 April 1879 in Calceranica al Lago, at that time within the Austrian County of Tyrol. In 1902, he set out to make sparkling wine in Austria and Italy using a production approach based on bottle fermentation and prolonged aging. The method, later associated with Ferrari's name, was essentially comparable to the traditional Champagne method. The wines were held for several years, with the historical description identifying an aging period of approximately four to five years. The early winery remained small. By 1952, Giulio Ferrari was elderly and had no children to whom he could transfer the business. He therefore chose Bruno Lunelli, a Trento wine-shop owner with five children, to take over the winery. At that time, production was approximately 9,000 bottles per year. Lunelli's arrival created the ownership and management continuity that shaped the modern Ferrari business. Giulio Ferrari died in Trento on 14 January 1965, while the winery continued under the Lunelli family. In 1969, Bruno Lunelli, then 63, stepped back from direct responsibility and handed management to the second generation: Franco, Giorgio, Gino, Carla, and Mauro Lunelli. The family structure allowed Ferrari to develop beyond its original small-scale operation while retaining its connection with Trentino and its traditional production method. The third generation later assumed leadership, including Matteo Lunelli, who is identified as president and chief executive, as well as Camilla Lunelli, Alessandro Lunelli, and Marcello Lunelli. Ferrari Trento became the leading company within the broader Lunelli Group. The group has interests in wine through Ferrari and Tenute Lunelli, sparkling wine through Bisol, bottled water through Surgiva, and grappa and spirits through Segnana. It also operates Locanda Margon, a restaurant described in the reference material as holding two Michelin stars. Ferrari therefore functions both as an individual wine brand and as the central beverage business of a diversified family-owned group. The company is a member of the Trentodoc consortium. Trentodoc regulates the production of traditional-method sparkling wine from Trentino, with the designation serving a role comparable in principle to a French controlled appellation. Ferrari's production identity is consequently built around geographic origin as well as process. Its cellars contain more than 24 million bottles at different stages of fermentation and maturation. According to the cited description, bottles remain in the cellars for periods from at least two years to as long as fifteen years, underscoring the house's emphasis on maturation. In the twenty-first century, Ferrari Trento expanded its international profile through sports and destination branding. Starting with the 2021 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, it became Formula One's official toast, taking the place of Carbon champagne. The agreement was renewed in 2022 for another three years. The brand also received recognition in William Reed's World's Best Vineyards ranking in 2022, entering the list and reportedly advancing 50 places in one edition. These developments reinforced Ferrari Trento's position as a premium Italian sparkling-wine house with both regional credentials and international visibility.
- 2022Formula One agreement renewed
The Formula One partnership was renewed for three years.
- 2022World's Best Vineyards recognition
Ferrari Trento's vineyard entered William Reed's World's Best Vineyards ranking and reportedly climbed 50 positions in that edition.
- 2021Formula One official-toast partnership begins
Ferrari Trento became the official toast of Formula One beginning with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
- 1969Second generation assumes responsibility
Bruno Lunelli transferred responsibilities to his children Franco, Giorgio, Gino, Carla, and Mauro Lunelli.
- 1965Death of Giulio Ferrari
Giulio Ferrari died in Trento on 14 January 1965.
- 1952Bruno Lunelli takes over the winery
With Giulio Ferrari aging and without children, Trento wine-shop owner Bruno Lunelli became the winery's successor. Annual production was approximately 9,000 bottles.
- 1902Giulio Ferrari begins sparkling-wine production
Giulio Ferrari began making traditional-method sparkling wine in Austria and Italy, establishing the foundation of the Ferrari winery.
Products and positioning
Premium Italian traditional-method sparkling wine from Trentino, emphasizing Trentodoc origin, extended bottle aging, family heritage, and international visibility.
Ferrari Trento BrutTraditional-method sparkling wine
A core Ferrari Trento Brut offering within the house's Trentodoc portfolio. It represents the brand's standard premium sparkling-wine expression, made using the traditional method and associated with the winery's Trentino origin.
Ferrari Trento RoséRosé traditional-method sparkling wine
A rosé expression in the Ferrari Trento range. It extends the house's traditional-method and Trentodoc identity into a pink sparkling-wine style while retaining the brand's premium positioning.
Flagship businesses
- Ferrari Trento Brut
- Ferrari Trento Rosé
- Ferrari Brut
- Ferrari Rosé
Marketing campaigns
- 2022World's Best Vineyards visibility
International
Ferrari Trento's vineyard entered William Reed's World's Best Vineyards ranking, combining destination-winery recognition with the brand's premium positioning.
Outcome. The vineyard reportedly rose 50 positions in a single edition of the ranking.
- 2021Formula One official toast
International · Formula One race markets
Ferrari Trento became the official toast of Formula One, beginning with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The partnership placed the brand's sparkling wine in podium and race-event ceremonies and replaced Carbon champagne in that role.
Outcome. The agreement was renewed in 2022 for three years, extending Ferrari Trento's international sports-marketing platform.
Brand decisions
- 2022Renewal of Formula One agreementOther
The initial Formula One official-toast arrangement had established Ferrari Trento as a visible global event partner.
What changed. The sponsorship contract was renewed for three years.
Aftermath. Ferrari Trento retained its Formula One association beyond the initial agreement.
- 2021Formula One partnership launchOther
Formula One sought a new official sparkling-wine toast partner after its relationship with Carbon champagne.
What changed. Ferrari Trento became the official toast of Formula One beginning with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Aftermath. The partnership increased the brand's visibility in international motorsport and was renewed in 2022 for three years.
- 1969Second-generation management transitionStrategy
Bruno Lunelli decided to step down at age 63 after leading the winery following the 1952 succession.
What changed. Responsibilities were transferred to Franco, Giorgio, Gino, Carla, and Mauro Lunelli.
Aftermath. The transition preserved family control and prepared the business for later third-generation leadership.
- 1952Transfer of ownership to Bruno LunelliStrategy
Giulio Ferrari was aging, had no children, and needed a successor for the winery, which was producing about 9,000 bottles annually.
What changed. Ferrari selected Bruno Lunelli, a Trento wine-shop owner, to take over the winery.
Aftermath. The Lunelli family became the long-term owner and managerial force behind Ferrari Trento.
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Matteo Lunelli | President and Chief Executive Officer | — |
| Carla Lunelli | Second-generation family managerformer | 1969– |
| Carla Lunelli | Second-generation family leaderformer | 1969– |
| Franco Lunelli | Second-generation family managerformer | 1969– |
| Franco Lunelli | Second-generation family leaderformer | 1969– |
| Gino Lunelli | Second-generation family leaderformer | 1969– |
| Gino Lunelli | Second-generation family managerformer | 1969– |
| Giorgio Lunelli | Second-generation family managerformer | 1969– |
| Giorgio Lunelli | Second-generation family leaderformer | 1969– |
| Mauro Lunelli | Second-generation family leaderformer | 1969– |
| Mauro Lunelli | Second-generation family managerformer | 1969– |
| Bruno Lunelli | Owner and successor to Giulio Ferrariformer | 1952–1969 |
Recent events
- 2022Formula One partnership renewed
The Formula One sponsorship arrangement was renewed for three years, extending the brand's association with podium celebrations and racing hospitality.
Campaign - 2022Ferrari Trento enters World's Best Vineyards ranking
The Ferrari Trento vineyard made its first reported appearance in William Reed's World's Best Vineyards ranking and rose 50 positions in that edition.
Other - 2022Ferrari Trento enters the World's Best Vineyards ranking
The winery made a notable entrance in William Reed's World's Best Vineyards ranking, reportedly rising 50 positions in a single edition.
Other - 2021Ferrari Trento becomes Formula One official toast
Ferrari Trento replaced Carbon champagne as the official toast of Formula One, beginning with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
CampaignOther - 2021Ferrari Trento becomes the official toast of Formula One
Ferrari Trento replaced Carbon champagne as the sparkling-wine brand associated with Formula One podium celebrations, beginning with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
CampaignOther
Sources
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