Vigne Marina Coppi
2023
Fausto Timorasso, Vigne Marina Coppi
View details →£39.25
The SommPills Cellar
Vigne Marina Coppi
1 wine on the Vigne Marina Coppi shelf, chosen one at a time.
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Vigne Marina Coppi
1 wines on the shelf
Vigne Marina Coppi is a small family estate in Castellania, south-eastern Piedmont, founded in 2003 by Francesco Bellocchio and his wife Anna. The estate works four hectares of vineyard with a clear philosophy: focus on indigenous Piedmont varieties—Barbera, Timorasso, Favorita, Nebbiolo and Croatina—made with modern techniques yet rooted in regional tradition. The result is small-production wines of real definition and finesse, available in the UK with consistent scores from major critics.
About Vigne Marina Coppi
In 2003, Francesco and Anna established the estate by acquiring vineyard land in Castellania and have built the operation on quality over quantity. The family works closely with Francesco's parents Marina and Giovanni, applying sustainable vineyard methods and modern winemaking expertise. The vineyards benefit from Castellania's sheltered mid-slope positions, often planted at 400 metres above sea level on calcareous soils that give the wines mineral definition and concentration.
Their winemaking approach is distinctly modern yet respectful of Piedmont tradition. The flagship Fausto Timorasso—named after the cycling legend—is made in stainless steel, a resolutely contemporary choice that preserves the variety's green, flinty character while delivering concentration and length. The Grand Fostó Timorasso, produced in very small quantities, receives 12 months on its lees to build texture and complexity. Their Sant'Andrea Barbera shows vibrant precision; the I Grop Barbera Superiore from their highest vineyard site displays layered spice notes alongside pomegranate and plum character, with sweet undertones throughout. The Marine Favorita, aged in tank on lees for six months, adds texture while maintaining clear varietal definition—a signature of the house.
What distinguishes Vigne Marina Coppi is scale and consistency. Four hectares is genuinely small, which means quality control is personal and exacting. Francesco and Anna have chosen to work with native varieties almost exclusively, avoiding the temptation to add international grapes. This commitment to place and restraint is what makes these wines recognisable as a set: they have family resemblance and a consistent level of refinement that comes from deep knowledge of the vineyard and the fruit.
Vigne Marina Coppi Wines in Our Collection
The estate's reputation rests on three core wines, all scoring 89–91 points with major critics. The 2021 Fausto Timorasso scored 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and represents the house style at its clearest: mineral, concentrated, green-fruited and built for food. The 2022 Fausto Timorasso (89 points, James Suckling) is the current vintage from the Colli Tortonesi appellation. The 2016 and 2020 Grand Fostó Timorasso (both 91 points) are the limited-production reserve: richer, more structured, worth cellaring.
In red wine, the 2022 Sant'Andrea Barbera (91 points) is their flagship—vibrant, savory and immediately rewarding with food. The 2018 I Grop Barbera Superiore (91 points) is the more serious expression, from the high-altitude vineyard, with layers of spice and concentration. For white wine outside Timorasso, the 2021 Marine Favorita (91 points) offers a different tempo: tropical fruit, texture, and balance—ideal as an aperitif or with lighter dishes. All are available in recent or current vintages.
Food Pairing
Sant'Andrea Barbera and I Grop pair perfectly with Piedmont's food canon: braised beef, vitello tonnato, mushroom risotto, and aged cheeses. The Fausto Timorasso works with seafood, white fish, and creamy pasta dishes. Marine Favorita suits lighter appetizers, prosciutto, fresh cheese, and summer salads. The Grand Fostó Timorasso, being richer and more structured, demands roasted poultry, rabbit, or soft cheeses with complexity. All the reds gain depth alongside slow-cooked meat and rich broths.
What makes Vigne Marina Coppi different from other Piedmont producers?
They focus exclusively on indigenous varieties (Barbera, Timorasso, Favorita, Nebbiolo, Croatina) on just four hectares, applying modern winemaking—stainless steel for whites, lees aging for texture—while staying rooted in regional tradition.
Which wine should I try first from Vigne Marina Coppi?
Start with Sant'Andrea Barbera (91 points) for a vibrant, food-friendly red, or Fausto Timorasso (91 points) for a mineral, concentrated white. Both show the house style clearly at current release.
Is the Grand Fostó Timorasso worth the premium?
Yes. Aged 12 months on lees in limited quantities (91 points), it is richer and more structured than the standard Fausto, with greater cellaring potential and complexity.
Who makes Vigne Marina Coppi wines?
Francesco Bellocchio and his wife Anna founded the family estate in 2003 in Castellania, south-eastern Piedmont. They work closely with Francesco's parents Marina and Giovanni, applying sustainable methods and modern winemaking expertise across four hectares.
What style of wine does Vigne Marina Coppi make?
Vigne Marina Coppi focuses on indigenous Piedmont varieties: Barbera, Timorasso, Favorita, Nebbiolo and Croatina. Their reds are savory and classic; whites are green, flinty and mineral. The 2021 Fausto Timorasso scored 91 points and exemplifies their concentrated, food-friendly house style.
How much does Vigne Marina Coppi wine cost?
Vigne Marina Coppi wines range between £22.25 and £85.40. Standard releases like Sant'Andrea Barbera start at £22.25; core Fausto Timorasso bottles are £39.85–£40; limited Grand Fostó reserves reach £78–£85.40.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.