Fattoria le Pupille

When Elisabetta Geppetti swapped the lecture hall for work in the wine cellar at the age of just twenty, she dreamed of drawing the international wine world's attention to the potential of the hitherto unnoticed Maremma region. As a result, the family's old farmhouse in the midst of the Grosseto hills - which is depicted on some of their wine labels - was transformed into a modern winery in the mid-1980s.

For the ambitious winemaker, the terroir of southern Tuscany should be reflected in her top wines, which is why she planted mainly Cabernet Sauvignon instead of Sangiovese because of the Mediterranean coastal climate that prevails here. At that time, however, she could never have imagined that thanks to the use of Bordeaux varieties, Fattoria Le Pupille would actually become one of the most famous wineries in Tuscany.

She laid the foundation for her success with none other than the Antinori oenologist Giacomo Tachis, who advised her in 1987 on the vinification of the Super Tuscan Saffredi, named after her father-in-law Fredi, from the varieties Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

A few years later, she created her outstanding Sangiovese wine from the top vineyard Poggio Valente with the Umbrian winemaker Riccardo Cotarella, before proving with her Rosé RosaMati and the oenologist Christian Le Sommer from the Château Latour winery that it is also possible to produce absolutely outstanding Syrah wines in the Maremma. Her wine style is characterised above all by a very multi-layered aroma and an impressive continuity, which run like a red thread through the varied range.

Fattoria Le Pupille has thus become an extremely important flagship for the area, especially since Elisabetta is affectionately referred to as the "Signora del Morellino" and as an ambassador for the entire region because of her typical Morellino di Scansano wines. She also passed on her passion to the family: the two eldest children, Clara and Ettore, have long been important components of Fattoria Le Pupille and, with the same ambition, produce fascinating cult wines that have completely redefined the reputation of the Maremma area. 

I have deep respect for Elisabettha. When she started as a winemaker instead of teaching, this was a move that few women dared and could handle at that time. The courage, strength and courage to pursue her dream is something that is a credit to Fattoria Le Pupille.

Not only that is why I am a big fan, their flagship wine Saffredi has also won a place in my heart. A wine that is one of the best purchases you can make in the field of 'Super Tuscans' in terms of price and quality. And don't forget the Poggio Al Valente! For just over 30 euros you have one of the purest expressions of Sangiovese you can find in Tuscany.

Top Fattoria le Pupille vintages are: 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020.