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.
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| Ruffino's present owners |
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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.
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Greppone Mazzi estates in
Montalcino | |
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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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