Cupano

Ornella Tondini and Lionel Cousin's story in Montalcino began in the early 1970s where they spent their Summer holidays at the Giardinello di Frescobaldi, hosting many contemporary artists, actors, musicians and writers. Ornella was a journalist for L' Autre Journal, while Lionel worked as a director and director of photography.

In '90s they moved to Montalcino from Paris with their daughter Orsa. In 1994, they bought the Podere Centine, located South-West of Montalcino near the village of Camigliano. It is extremely pure land, untouched by chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides or any other form of industrial agriculture. 30 km from the Mediterranean Sea whre there is a temperate climate and sea breezes; the Ombrone river flowing under the hill ensures drainage, mineral richness and a wonderful view. Year after year this place proves to be 'un vrai, grand terroir'.

In 1997, 3.4 hectares of vineyards were planted around the South-facing hill, certified organic from the start: 2.4 hectares of Sangiovese; 0.6 Cabernet Sauvignon and 0.4 Merlot. In 2013 another three hectares of vineyards were planted: Sangiovese (2ha), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

Carlo Ferrini helped select the land for the vines and the vine stocks, the training system and the height of the plants. François Bouchet initiated the simple and effective biodynamics of the old gentleman farmer that he was. However, Henri Jayer was a mentor with his firm convictions: few hectares, wine made in the vineyard, no pesticides or chemical fertilisers, limited yields at harvest by still eliminating all traces of unripe or mouldy grapes on the sorting table, indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation on fine lees in medium-toasted French barriques.
Thanks to these masters we hope to succeed in imbuing our wine with a memory, the landscape, a season, the story of our enchantment.