Cupertinum receives the European Award for Tourism

Cupertinum, Ancient Winery of Salento 1935, was acnknowledged the 34th edition of the prestigious European Award for Tourism and Hospitality as the oldest cooperative winery in the province of Lecce and one of the oldest in Italy, as well as for the commitment shown in the Valorization of the tourism, of the territory of Copertino and for its project “the Vineyard on the Castle of Copertino”. The ceremony took place in Solin, a gorgeous tourist village in Split, Croatia, under the 19th International Tourfilm Festival. In addition to Cupertinum, this year the Prize went to two other Apulian companies: the GAL Terra d’Arneo, chaired by Cosimo Durante, and the Enoic Art of Arianna Greco. A good result for Salento, no doubt!
 
We are proud of remind you that in previous editions, the European Award for Tourism and Hospitality has been given to distinguished personalities such as chefs Paul Bocuse, Gualtiero Marchesi and Domenico Maggi, directors such as Franco Zeffirelli and Krzysztof Zanussi, and famous hotels such as Bernini Bristol and the Grand Hotel in Rome. The event was organized under the patronage of the Croatian Tourist Board and of the cities of Solin and Split, and with the High Patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
 
Francesco Trono and Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi, respectively Cupertinum President and Winemaker, emphasize the social and cultural value of this recognition: “The Copertino Castle, which we have proudly as emblem on the labels of our wines with Copertino Doc, aswell as the Vineyard project on Castle have become a keystone for the future of the territory. Our wines are true ambassadors of Copertino and Salento in the world. Wine quality, land-use and artistic beauty, remind us that (agriculture) culture and culture have the same root. With this awareness, we look confident to the future”, “and add:”Winery members and call citizens from Copertino have to be actors of a major renewal, which affects agriculture in general and our small business in particular. We need to create links with other local values, and institutions, to make our involvement felt, from promotion to the exploitation of the soil and its agriculture. Create synergies. We start from our microcosm and therefore, first of all, from quality wine production and then from the many indigenous geniuses, the spiritual richness of St. Joseph from Copertino, the Angioin Castle, the natural and cultural beauties, inserting our specific features into the most general of Salento and Puglia. The future is in the soil! 

“I see confirmation and surprises in the new 2026 wine guides for our wines. With these awards, Cupertinum confirms its status as a company of excellence, reliable over time, dynamic in identifying new goals and achieving them,” says Francesco Trono, president of Cupertinum. Winemaker Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi, now accustomed to the awards that come flooding in year after year, is also satisfied: “The focus on quality and modern winemaking that respects tradition is understood and rewarded. These awards reward the members, the winery’s workers, and the territory.”

 Here is a brief list of recent awards and prizes received by Cupertinum wines:

  • Cupertinum has been included among the best Italian wineries in Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book guide to wines from around the world. The renowned guide, edited by Margaret Rand, recommends: Copertino Riserva, Settantacinque, Spinello dei Falconi, and Negroamaro!
  • Danielle Callegari of Wine Enthusiast award: 92 points to Copertino Riserva DOC; 91 points to Primitivo Salento IGT: “two fantastic deals from this winery that confirm the high quality of the company’s labels.”
  • Wine Spectator awards Copertino Riserva DOC 2015: 89 points and Aldieri Primitivo Salento IGT 2021: 89 points (“well-elevated reds, medium-bodied, with light tannins,” says expert Eric Guido).
  • As far as international recognition is concerned, another great result is worth mentioning: the Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Awards for COPERTINO RISERVA and POGGIANI Negroamaro.
  • Guida essenziale ai vini d’Italia (DoctorWine Daniele Cernilli )awards Copertino Riserva 92 points and Spibello dei Falconi 90 points.
  • The VITAE guide published by the Sommelier Association awards 4 VITI to Settantacinque Copertino and 3 VITI to Copertino Doc, Copertino Riserva, Poggiani Negroamaro, and Spinello dei Falconi. The sommeliers write: “wines of recognized and appreciated quality; the Negroamaro, in its various forms, represents the jewel in the crown.”
  • SlowWine: Cupertinum is featured in the SlowFood guide with the TopWine award for Spinello dei Falconi and a beautiful description that highlights the advantageous quality/price ratio, with accurate and complimentary organoleptic descriptions of all the wines.
  • The Touring Club’s Vinibuoni d’Italia guide awards our wines 4 stars to Copertino DOC Riserva, Copertino DOC and Spinello dei Falconi and 3 stars to Squarciafico Rosato and Settantacinque.
  • Bibenda, the guide published by the Italian Sommelier Foundation, awards Settantacinque, Copertino DOC Riserva, Aldieri Primitivo, and Poggiani Negroamaro with 4 Grappoli.
  • The Veronelli Guide awards 3 Red Stars to Settantacinque Copertino DOC and 2 Stars to all wines, with special mention to Spinello dei Falconi and all Copertino DOC wines.
  • The Il Golosario guide by Gatti/Massobrio names Primitivo as a Top Wine.

“Wine is the song of the earth to the sky” wrote the master of food and wine criticism Luigi Veronelli. It is worth repeating this for the awards given to Cupertinum wines!