CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA

What CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA does

Canalicchio di Sopra is a family-owned Italian winery based in Montalcino, Tuscany, founded in 1962 by Primo Pacenti and currently operated by the third generation of the Ripaccioli family (Francesco, Marco, and Simonetta Ripaccioli, since 2001). The estate spans 60 hectares on the north-eastern slope of Montalcino within the UNESCO Val d'Orcia landscape, of which 19 hectares are planted to Sangiovese vines across two distinct crus — Canalicchio and Montosoli (with approximately 6 contiguous hectares in Montosoli, placing the estate among fewer than 10 producers holding land in this prized subzone).

The portfolio consists of five wines produced exclusively from Sangiovese Grosso: Rosso di Montalcino DOC (entry-level), Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (flagship estate wine), Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casaccia DOCG (single-vineyard, first vintage 2015), Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli DOCG (single-vineyard, first vintage 2018), and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG (limited production in select vintages). Annual production totals approximately 70,000-95,000 bottles across the range. Winemaking follows a traditional Sangiovese protocol — hand-harvested, berry-sorted grapes fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel and aged in large Slavonian oak casks — executed in a gravity-fed underground winery that was fully renovated between 2014 and 2018 for efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Revenue is generated through wholesale wine distribution to a global network of specialized importers and fine-wine distributors spanning more than 35 countries across five continents, targeting fine dining restaurants, sommeliers, and specialty wine retailers. The estate also operates Borgo Canalicchio di Sopra Relais, an on-site hospitality and wine tourism offering at the Montalcino property. Critical acclaim is a core commercial driver: the winery is a founding member of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino (1967), was ranked #15 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2018, and has received multiple 98-100 point scores from James Suckling, Robert Parker/Wine Advocate, Falstaff, and Wine Enthusiast. The company is privately held with no external investors and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA

Legal name

Canalicchio di Sopra

Website

https://canalicchiodisopra.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Canalicchio di Sopra is a family-owned Montalcino winery producing premium Sangiovese-based Brunello wines from two crus, including the prized Montosoli subzone, distributed globally to fine dining, sommeliers, and specialty retailers across 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Italian Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Grape Vineyard Operations (Varietal/AVA Practices, Yield & Quality Targets) (AFAGAJAJ), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Luxury Farmhouses, Country Houses & Vineyard Estates (THAMAEAG)

Keywords

• Brunello di montalcino wine
• Sangiovese winemaking
• Single vineyard wines
• Premium italian wine
• Wine distribution global

Headquarters

HQ city

Montalcino (Località Casaccia)

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wine production and sales: Canalichio di Sopra generates revenue through the production and sale of premium Italian wines, primarily Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, and single-vineyard (Vigna) expressions. The winery sells through a global network of specialty wine distributors targeting fine dining, sommeliers, and specialist retailers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Canalicchio di Sopra is a family-owned Italian winery in Montalcino producing premium Sangiovese-based wines, primarily Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Brunello Riserva DOCG, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, and single-vineyard (Vigna) expressions from the Canalicchio and Montosoli crus. The estate also offers wine tourism experiences, tours, tastings, and hospitality through Borgo Canalicchio di Sopra Relais.

Product overview

Canalicchio di Sopra is a traditional Brunello di Montalcino winery with a portfolio of five wines produced from Sangiovese Grosso across two distinct crus. The portfolio spans from entry-level (Rosso di Montalcino DOC) to premium single-vineyard expressions (Brunello Vigna La Casaccia and Vigna Montosoli DOCG), plus the flagship estate Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and the Riserva tier for select vintages. All wines share Sangiovese as the sole grape variety, with differentiation achieved through vineyard site selection, soil composition, and aging protocols.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG The estate's flagship DOCG red wine, a classic expression of Sangiovese from Montalcino, sourced from vineyards in both the Canalicchio and Montosoli crus with vines over 10 years old. Targeted at fine dining establishments and specialty wine retailers worldwide.
• Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casaccia DOCG A single-vineyard DOCG Brunello produced from the La Casaccia vineyard within the Canalicchio cru, planted in 1990, characterized by brown clay soils rich in calcium carbonate and magnesium. Targeted at collectors, fine dining, and premium wine retailers.
• Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli DOCG A single-vineyard DOCG Brunello crafted from the Filari Lunghi vineyard on the Montosoli hill, featuring galestro (clay-schist) soils and northwest-facing vines. Targeted at high-end collectors and premium wine retailers.
• Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG The estate's top-tier DOCG Riserva, produced only in select vintages from the oldest vines, typically from Vigna Vecchia Mercatale and/or Vigna Casaccia, aged 36+ months in Slavonian oak casks. Targeted at collectors, fine dining, and auction buyers.
• Rosso di Montalcino DOC An entry-level DOC red wine sourced from the estate's youngest vines, aged in a combination of large Slavonian oak casks and small French oak barrels, offering immediate approachability with cellar potential. Targeted at restaurants and everyday consumers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Single-vineyard Brunello La Casaccia 2019 scored 98/100 by James Suckling
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• SAGNA S.P.A.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian national wine and spirits distributor headquartered in Moncalieri (TO), distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines throughout Italy to fine wine retailers, restaurants, and specialty shops.
• Vinifera Imports LtdmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS wine importer based in Ronkonkoma, New York, distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines throughout the United States to fine dining and specialty wine retailers.
• Le Sommelier Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian wine importer based in Toronto, Ontario, distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines in Ontario to fine dining and specialty wine stores.
• International CellarsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVancouver-based Canadian importer distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
• Vinexus LtdmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based wine importer distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines in the United Kingdom to fine dining establishments and specialist wine merchants.
• Joval Wine GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian wine and spirits importer based in Abbotsford, VIC, distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines throughout Australia.
• Superiore.de GMBHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman wine importer based in Coswig, distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines in Germany.
• ENOTECA Shanghai Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChinese wine importer based in Shanghai, distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines in mainland China.
• Overseas Co., LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese wine importer based in Tokyo's Setagaya-ku, distributing Canalichio di Sopra wines in Japan.
• Borgo Canalicchio di Sopra RelaiscoreOthersWine resort and hospitality facility adjacent to the estate, managed as a separate entity (canalicchiodisoprawinerelais.it), offering accommodation and wine experiences for visitors to the Montalcino estate.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Castello Banfi: Largest Montalcino estate and a major international fine-wine brand with broad Brunello and Super Tuscan portfolio. Comparable Brunello category presence but materially larger scale, broader product range, and greater marketing investment than family-owned Canalicchio di Sopra.
• Marchesi Antinori: One of Italy's largest and most prestigious wine dynasties with Brunello (Pian delle Vigne), Tignanello, and Sassicaia-adjacent holdings. Comparable in heritage and prestige tier, but with vastly greater scale and portfolio breadth.
• Gaja: Iconic family-owned Piedmont/Tuscany producer known for Barbaresco, Barolo, and Ca'Marcanda. Comparable as a multi-generational, family-controlled Italian luxury wine estate with global fine-dining presence and collector franchise.
• Marchesi de' Frescobaldi: Major Tuscan wine group with Brunello and broader Italian portfolio including CastelGiocondo. Comparable Brunello production but with diversified holdings across multiple Tuscan regions and stronger institutional distribution.

Emerging players

• Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia): Bolgheri estate producing Sassicaia, the flagship Super Tuscan. Comparable as a premium collectible Italian red wine with allocation-constrained supply, but operates in a different Tuscan terroir (Bolgheri vs. Montalcino) and varietal mix (Cabernet-based vs. Sangiovese).

Direct peers

• Casanova di Neri: Premier Brunello di Montalcino producer consistently ranked among the top estates by Robert Parker and Italian critics. Comparable in portfolio structure (estate Brunello, single-vineyard Cerretalto, Riserva), terroir-driven philosophy, and global fine-dining distribution.
• Biondi-Santi: Historic Brunello di Montalcino producer (founded 1865), widely regarded as the original Brunello estate. Directly comparable as a multi-generational, single-Sangiovese, single-Montalcino winery with allocation-driven demand and collectible Riserva library.
• Tenuta Il Poggione: Family-owned Sant'Antimo/Montalcino estate producing benchmark Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino at meaningful scale. Comparable portfolio structure (Rosso entry-level, Brunello, Riserva), global fine-dining distribution, and traditional Sangiovese winemaking approach.
• Caparzo: Montalcino winery with holdings across multiple crus including the famed La Casa single-vineyard. Comparable in cru-differentiated Brunello portfolio, traditional approach, and export-driven distribution to specialty retailers and sommeliers.
• Altesino: Montalcino winery producing traditional Brunello and the pioneering single-vineyard Montosoli Brunello. Highly comparable as a Montalcino-focused Sangiovese estate with single-vineyard Montosoli bottlings that directly compete with Canalicchio di Sopra's Vigna Montosoli.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canalicchio-di-sopra

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA