In 1877, in Pontassieve, few kilometers from Florence, Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino, two Tuscan gentlemen with a great passion for their land and the great wine of Chianti hills, founded a wine company which they called with their surname. Thanks to their commitment, seriousness and to the research of quality, their winery - at the end of the nineteenth century - become one of the most famous Italian wine companies, acquiring fame abroad, too. In 1913, Ruffino was acquired by the Folonari family, which transformed Ruffino from a little company to a modern, dynamic and organized business, therefore becoming one of the most important Italian wine companies. In the course of years, Ruffino acquired estates and vineyards in the most prestigious wine areas, basing on them the success of their wines, result of continuous investments in vineyards, in cellars and in human resources.

	Ruffino's present owners

 Today, Ruffino is property of Marco and Paolo Folonari families, respectively president of Ruffino and president of Tenimenti Ruffino: brothers Luigi and Adolfo, Marco's sons, personally run the company, promoting both innovation and experimentation. Luigi is the Managing Director of the Italian market, whereas Adolfo is in charge of the same role for foreign markets. The main factors for the winery's success are: Ruffino style, that is the main role which - in the course of years - the company was capable to acquire, in relation to the evolution and the changing of wine culture; Ruffino team, that is the human resources on which the company decided to invest in order to obtain innovation and experimentation. And last, but not the least, Ruffino estates, located in the most prestigious and important wine areas. In the estates, Ruffino also produces extra virgin olive oil - although in limited quantity - of good characteristics, such as the one from Tenuta Poggio Casciano and Laudamio from Tenuta Santedame.

 Ruffino follows two different paths - but parallel at the same time - for viticulture and the style of their wines: the company is focused on the continuous revaluation of Tuscan traditional grape varieties, such as Sangiovese for the production of Chianti Classico, Brunello and Vino Nobile, and the rediscovery of local grape varieties, such as Colorino used in Romitorio di Santedame, a full bodied red wine, produced in Santedame estates. The company is also focused on the valuation of Tuscan wines, produced with international grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which although they are cultivated in the Tuscan territory, they recently become successful in the foreign markets. From the youngest wines, easy to drink, such as Chianti Ruffino or Leo Chianti Superiore, to the wines produced in Ruffino's estates, such as Brunello di Montalcino Greppone Mazzi, Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico or Romitorio di Santedame, Ruffino is capable of guaranteeing the high quality of its wide range of wines, intended to a broad target of consumers.

Greppone Mazzi estates in Montalcino

 Ruffino's goal is the production of high quality wines, cleverly and globally distributed. The company exports in more than 80 countries, and its brand - especially known with Riserva Ducale and Riserva Ducale Oro - is now very successful. In the United States of America, Riserva Ducale Oro has become an icon wine known as Ruffino Gold Label therefore transcending its category of Chianti Classico Riserva. Since many years, the North-American market is one of the key markets for Ruffino, in particular for the so called Supertuscan wines, such as Chianti Classico, Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as other IGT wines (Typical Geographic Indication, Indicazione Geografica Tipica). Ruffino's strategic choice to be present in the USA and to pursue a widespread distribution for their wines in global markets, has also been a necessity and a precise business choice in order to contrast the strong competition. To pursue these objectives, in 2004 Ruffino signed a partnership agreement with Franciscan Estates, famous Californian company being part of Constellation Brands, which owns 40% of Ruffino's company. Franciscan Estates, Ruffino's new importer, will help the Tuscan company to consolidate its leadership in the segment of Italian wines in the USA as well as to explore new markets.

 In Tuscany, the main Ruffino's estates are seven, for a total of 1,500 hectares, 600 of which cultivated in prestigious areas. It is important to consider Tenuta Borgo Conventi, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, located in the famous area of Collio, acquired in 2001. In Tenuta Poggio Casciano, near Florence, 62 hectares of vineyards are mainly cultivated with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir, a rare grape variety in Tuscany. Nero al Tondo (first released vintage has been 1985) was created in this estate, produced with 100% Pinot Noir grapes and it is considered one of the most prestigious Tuscan wines. Here is also produced Modus (first vintage released in 1997), a Supertuscan from Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, separately vinified. Tenuta Poggio Casciano represents the heart where all Ruffino's public relations and hospitality activities take place. Tenuta di Montemasso spreads for 140 hectares, 29 of which cultivated with Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Even in this estate there is an activity of public relations. Tenuta di Santedame, in the province of Siena, spreads for 246 hectares, 70 of which partially cultivated with Sangiovese and partially with Merlot and Colorino. In 1990, Ruffino has released Romitorio di Santedame, in which it is being used Colorino grape, a rare variety in Tuscany.

 In the province of Siena, Tenuta Solatia spreads for 84 hectares, 44 of which cultivated with Chardonnay, 34 with Sangiovese and 6 with Pinot Gris. Here, in 1998, after a long experimentation, Chardonnay La Solatia was born. Other wines produced here include Casata, 100% Pinot Gris grapes. Gretole, in the heart of Chianti Classico territory, is an estate of 282 hectares, cultivated with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot and Malvasia. Here it is being produced the famous Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico, synonym in the world of great value Chianti. In Montepulciano, south from Siena, in the Tenuta Lodola Nuova, spreading for 159 hectares, Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Lodola Nuova Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are being produced. In Tenuta di Greppone Mazzi, spreading for 157 hectares, in the heart of Montalcino area, are being produced: Brunello Greppone Mazzi and Brunello Riserva Greppone Mazzi, made in the best vintages only. Borgo Conventi, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, spreads for 42 hectares cultivated in the DOC areas of Collio Goriziano and Isonzo. The Borgo Conventi Collio DOC range includes Colle Russian Friulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Ribolla Gialla, Merlot, Schioppettino and Braida Nuova, while “I Fiori del Bosco Isonzo DOC” range includes Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon, Tocai Friulano, Merlot, Refosco and Cabernet Franc.

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