Cupelli of San Miniato: Sparkling Wines From Indigenous Tuscan Grapes

Step into Cupelli Winery, where every glass captures the vibrant essence of Tuscany. As one of the few wineries dedicated exclusively to Metodo Classico sparkling wines made from indigenous Tuscan grapes, Cupelli stands apart for its unwavering commitment to tradition, quality, and craftsmanship.

The story began in the 1950s, when Amelio Cupelli and his family moved from Marche to Tuscany, building a thriving agricultural estate. Over the years, their vineyards became renowned for producing grapes with remarkable acidity, freshness, and depth, qualities that would later define Cupelli’s signature sparkling wines. In the early 2000s, the next generation, Ivana Cupelli and her children, Marco and Sara revitalized the vineyards with a bold vision: to craft world-class Metodo Classico sparkling wines that celebrate Tuscany’s rich terroir. By 2008, Cupelli fully embraced this traditional winemaking method, unlocking the potential of their unique grape varieties. Today, Ivana leads the winery, with Marco and Sara ensuring the legacy flourishes, one bottle at a time.

"Our bubbles are born from the intention of enhancing, without modifying the natural organoleptic characteristics of the grapes, keeping them clearly recognizable."

Sara, explaining the vinification process at Cupell

The Vineyards & Winemaking Process

Cupelli’s vineyards span 8 hectares in San Miniato, flourishing in ancient silt-sandy soils rich in marine fossils and clay. The nearby Arno, Egola, and Elsa Rivers, along with coastal currents, create a mild microclimate that enhances grape quality while also supporting the region’s famed white truffle production.

At the heart of Cupelli’s sparkling wines is Trebbiano Toscano, carefully selected from the estate’s historic vineyards and cultivated using Guyot pruning for optimal strength and vigor. Canaiolo, typically a blending grape in Chianti, is uniquely vinified solo here, producing a vibrant, fresh sparkling wine.

In 2007, the winery modernized its temperature-controlled cellar, preserving tradition while enhancing efficiency. The metodo classico process starts with meticulous hand-harvesting in August, gentle pressing, and fermentation at 18°C in vitrified cement tanks. Only the finest cuvées are selected, undergoing secondary fermentation in bottles and aging on lees for 9 to 60 months for depth and complexity before disgorgement and final refinement.

Cupelli Metodo Classico Sparkling Wines

Atmosfere Brut VSQ
Made from 100% Trebbiano Toscano, aged on lees for 9 months. Pale yellow with green reflections and a fine perlage, it offers fresh notes of pear, green apple, white flowers, and crisp yellow fruit. The palate is clean, fresh, and harmonious, with a bright, elegant finish.

Erede Brut Rosé
Crafted from 100% Canaiolo, aged on lees for 36 months, with an additional 4 months in bottle after disgorgement. Soft salmon with onion skin reflections, it features a fine perlage and an intense bouquet of red berries, currants, raspberries, and strawberries, enhanced by citrus and spice. The palate is velvety, well-structured, and lively, with a long, elegant finish.

Erede Brut Nature Millesimato
A Millesimato Brut from 100% Trebbiano Toscano, aged on lees for 60 months, with 6 months of additional bottle aging. Straw yellow with golden reflections and a persistent perlage, it reveals yellow fruit, candied citrus, and hints of fresh bread, underscored by minerality. The palate is crisp and structured, with vibrant acidity and a long, refined finish.

Erede Rosé Pas Dosé
Made from 100% Canaiolo, with 4 hours of skin contact and aged on lees for 60 months. Salmon-light amber hue and delicate perlage, it showcases bold character, vibrant acidity, and a well-defined structure. The finish is long and expressive, with layers of red berries, citrus, and spice.

Erede Rosso VSQ Demi-Sec
A red sparkling wine made from 60% Ciliegiolo and 40% Sangiovese, aged on lees for 30 months, with a gentle pressure of 4.9 bar for a light, silky perlage. Brilliant ruby red with an intense bouquet of cooked cherry, ripe red fruits and dried sweet spice, it offers a smooth, slightly sweet palate, balanced by lively acidity and a lingering tea leaf finish.

Cupelli

Address: Viale Marconi 203, 56028 San Miniato Pisa (PI), Italy
Tel: +39 345 5120371
Website: https://cupellivini.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantinacupelli