About Us…

Marco Gigliucci

Marco Gigliucci is Sicilian and has lived in the UK for more than twenty years. With a passion for food and wine, he worked with Cuculo as a supplier for many years, before joining the team in 2022 as Sales Director.

He has a strong creative side which manifests itself in the kitchen and in his ability to bring the wine and other products to life.

Carla Cianciaruso

Carla Cianciaruso hails from Gaeta, a beautiful coastal village between Roma and Napoli, where she spent many years running a popular central bar with her husband.  

A warm personality with a love of cooking, Carla is loved and respected by customers and colleagues alike, and is now the Director of Customer Services.

Cinzia Long

Cinzia Long is a whirlwind. Growing up in the dramatic scenery of the Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps, she learned the secrets of Italian cuisine at her mother’s kitchen table. Her love of cheese began with Saturday trips to the local market, where a friendly stall-holder would sneak her a chunk of parmesan.

As well as food and wine she loves skiing and the outdoors, and graduated in Forestry and Environmental Science at the Università degli Studi di Torino.

It is Cinzia’s vision, drive and quest for perfection that shaped Cuculo and built its formidable reputation since 2010.

In 2021 Cinzia passed the Italian Wine Scholar Guild Prep course with a 96% score.

In 2022 she and James moved back to her home town in Piemonte b ut she still takes an active interest in the

James MacNay

Now an Italian national, James MacNay’s deep and enduring love of that country’s wine began in his twenties, when, as a walking tour guide, he organised winery visits for clients. This experience led James to build Cuculo’s extensive portfolio of single estate Italian wines.

A history and literature graduate and occasional actor, James never bores of talking and writing about wine and winemakers. Ever mindful that wine is about people, he organises guided and self-guided holiday itineraries in the Italian wine regions, in which his customers can get to know the inspirational personalities and places behind the labels.

James is WSET Level 3 and Italian Wine Scholar qualified. In addition, in 2024 he achieved the prestigious Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador qualification with the top-scoring group video project, essay paper and overall grade.

Nick

As a photography graduate and horticultural student, Nick embarks on an annual journey to Italy, where he immerses himself in the captivating landscapes and vibrant culture that inspires his work at Cuculo. Since volunteering in Italy’s agricultural sector in 2023, he now loves sharing the essence of Italy’s delights with you.

Ged

Freya

Freya has worked at Cuculo since she was 14. She was a Saturday stalwart but now returns to work in holiday times around her University studies in Bristol.

Alessia

Alessia is Marco’s daughter and you can find her in the shop on Saturdays and for events like wine tastings and the pizza night.