Vigne Marina Coppi

Francesco Bellocchio and his wife Anna founded Vigne Marina Coppi in 2003, taking over a small plot of vines in Castellania, a village in south-eastern Piemonte. Castellania is significant to Francesco, being the birthplace of his grandfather, legendary cyclist Fausto Coppi, the first man ever to win the Giro d‘Italia and the Tour de France in the same year. Named after Francesco’s mother, Marina, the estate now focuses on the indigenous varieties of Barbera, Nebbiolo, Croatina, Freisa, Favorita and Timorasso to make vibrant and well-defined wines.

Their Timorasso, named ‘Fausto’ after the great man himself, is their flagship wine and one of the best examples of the variety produced. It is resolutely modern in style, having been fermented solely in stainless steel, yet is concentrated, long and mineral. Their Timorasso ‘Grand Fostó’ pays homage to this variety, produced in very small quantities and aged for 12 months on its lees before release. The Barbera ‘Sant’ Andrea’ is vibrant and pristine, a paradigm of good Barbera.

The grapes for ‘I Grop’ Barbera Superiore hail from a cru vineyard planted 400 meters above sea level on calcareous soil. The wine is intensely scented with aromas of plum, pomegranate and sweet spices. The delicious ‘Marine’ Favorita, aged in tank on its lees for six months to augment texture and complexity, shows a clear varietal definition allied to Vigne Marina Coppi’s signature finesse.