Copper is a base metal active in hydrogenation reactions, but it is difficult to disperse on mesostructured supports by conventional methods, with adverse consequences on the catalytic properties. Incorporating aluminium into ordered mesoporous SBA-15 silicas via a simple two-step pH-adjustment route allows solving the Cu dispersion and activity problems jointly. The incorporation of 20 wt.% Al2O3 in the SBA-15 host structure leads to an increase of the copper metallic surface area by a factor 6 compared to the pure siliceous SBA-15-supported catalyst. The support also displays a high stability upon exposure to aqueous solutions, such as the impregnation solution, unlike ordered mesoporous alumina. Besides, Al introduction provides Lewis-acidic sites that favour the transformation of cinnamaldehyde into cinnamyl alcohol. As a consequence, the catalytic activity of materials prepared following this route is enhanced compared to a silica-supported system, while the chemoselectivity towards the unsaturated alcohol appears to be similar to that of a mesoporous alumina-supported system.