Cupano
Summary
Cupano is a small family-run estate on Montalcino's southern slopes, where husband-and-wife team Lionel Cousin and Ornella Tondini cultivate 7 hectares of primarily Sangiovese vineyards on galestro and alberese soils for their Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino. Their commitment to biodynamic viticulture, hand-harvesting, indigenous yeast fermentation, and aging in traditional large Slavonian oak casks reflects their minimal-intervention philosophy that prioritizes terroir expression over commercial expansion.
Heritage & Leadership
Cupano was established in the late 1990s when Ornella Tondini and Lionel Cousin acquired a property on the southern slopes of Montalcino. Lionel, originally from France, and Ornella, an Italian native, purchased the estate in 1997. The property had no existing vineyards at the time of acquisition, allowing the couple to develop their vision from the ground up. Prior to founding Cupano, Lionel worked with renowned Burgundian winemaker Henri Jayer, whose influence shaped Cupano's approach to viticulture and winemaking. The estate produced its first commercial vintage in 2000, focusing initially on small-scale production of Brunello di Montalcino. Over the subsequent two decades, Cupano has maintained its status as a small, family-operated winery with Lionel directing winemaking operations and Ornella managing the business aspects of the estate.
Vineyards & Wines
Cupano's vineyards span 7 hectares (approximately 17.3 acres) situated on the southern slopes of Montalcino at elevations ranging from 160 to 190 meters above sea level. The estate benefits from a Mediterranean climate with maritime influences from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. The vineyard soil consists primarily of galestro (schistous clay) and alberese (limestone), providing good drainage and mineral content. Sangiovese comprises the majority of plantings, with smaller parcels dedicated to Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The estate received organic certification in 2003 and biodynamic certification in 2005. Cupano's production focuses on four main wines: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (100% Sangiovese), Rosso di Montalcino DOC (100% Sangiovese), Sant'Antimo DOC "Ombrone" (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc), and a pure Cabernet Sauvignon labeled as IGT Toscana. Annual production remains limited at approximately 25,000 bottles across all wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Cupano adheres to biodynamic farming principles, employing only organic compounds and biodynamic preparations in the vineyard. The estate follows the lunar calendar for vineyard operations including pruning, soil preparation, and harvesting. All grapes are hand-harvested and undergo rigorous selection both in the vineyard and at the sorting table. In the cellar, Lionel employs traditional winemaking techniques with minimal intervention. Fermentation occurs in small concrete vats using indigenous yeasts, with gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit purity. The Brunello di Montalcino ages for a minimum of 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks (25-30 hectoliters), while the Bordeaux varieties see time in French oak barriques. Cupano practices minimal filtration and low sulfur additions before bottling. The estate's commitment to quality over quantity is evidenced by their limited production and meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process. Their approach combines Burgundian winemaking philosophy with Tuscan terroir, emphasizing site expression and vintage character in their wines.