The oldest cooperative organization in Tuscany — and one of the most significant in terms of volume — joins Caviro. Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano officially enters the shareholder base of Italy’s largest wine cooperative. The operation, announced on April 29 in Vinci, redefines the production perimeter of Leonardo da Vinci S.p.A., the group company currently engaged in a brand restyling and in expanding its portfolio. This is not a symbolic merger, but an operational integration focused on supply‑chain continuity, protection of the cooperative members, and qualitative consolidation.
“At the heart of this integration is the enhancement of Sangiovese along a territorial axis that connects Romagna and Tuscany, uniting lands and communities,” explains Carlo Dalmonte, president of the Caviro Group. “Romagna has its roots in the area dedicated to selecting the best grapes from Caviro’s members, while Tuscany brings together the involved areas to cover an even broader and more complete territory with its wines.”
Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano: production strength and territorial roots
Founded in 1937, Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano is the oldest cooperative in Tuscany and one of the most important in terms of volume, with over 300 members and a presence extending into Umbria. Its entry strengthens Caviro’s territorial presence in one of the key areas for Sangiovese, with particular reference to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg.
The operation does not alter the cooperative’s identity but places it within a broader system, maintaining the central role of its members and territory.
Leonardo da Vinci S.p.A.: synergies and repositioning
The collaboration supports the development of Leonardo da Vinci S.p.A. – Tenute Caviro, which becomes the industrial hub of the operation.
The goal is to build a more coherent portfolio, enhancing denominations such as Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano along a production axis that unites Romagna and Tuscany.
In this context, Sangiovese takes on a structural role: a versatile grape capable of expressing different identities while maintaining recognizability.
“The Leonardo da Vinci brand is rooted in the places and experimental spirit of Leonardo, starting from Vinci and reaching today all the way to Montepulciano, passing through Romagna. It is an identity that unites different territories under a single vision, transforming a cultural and oenological heritage into a distinctive and recognizable proposition. This narrative thread now becomes a concrete model, where agricultural tradition and contemporary vision meet to enhance the territory and its excellences,” notes Giovanni Lai, General Manager of Leonardo da Vinci S.p.A. – Tenute Caviro.
The perspective of cooperative institutions
“Confcooperative constantly promotes initiatives aimed at developing collaborations and synergies among its member cooperatives, with the goal of supporting their growth and, consequently, enhancing the work of their members,” says Mario Marchi, vice president of Confcooperative Toscana. “Tuscan cooperative viticulture has a long history and deep roots, with important production realities spread across the region — companies with strong traditions yet ready for innovation, capable of promoting relationships and projects of real interest for their members.”
A vision shared by Andrea Rossi, president of Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano:
“This partnership represents a fundamental step in protecting and enhancing the winemaking tradition of this territory and of Tuscan wine as a whole. The entry of Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano into this project — which involves an entire community — is a strong signal of unity and shared vision: together we can ensure the continuity of a cooperative tradition that has always been synonymous with territory, sustainability and excellence. The strength of Tuscan cooperation, combined with that of Caviro, allows us to face the challenges of the global market without losing our identity.”
The restyling of the Leonardo da Vinci brand
Alongside the integration, Caviro is working on the restyling of the Leonardo da Vinci brand, bringing back the Vitruvian Man on the label as a distinctive element. A clear signal of rationalizing the brand’s imagery and strengthening its recognizability in international markets. This work is not narrative but strategic: reducing dispersion and increasing coherence.
The entry of Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano into Caviro is not an image operation. It is a systemic move that responds to needs of scale, stability and competitiveness in an increasingly complex market. The goal is clear: using cooperation as an industrial lever without compromising the identity of the territories.
