Ruffino winery
Ruffino is a Tuscan winery with large vineyard holdings and was the first to be imported into the USA. Among Ruffino s holdings in the Chianti, zone is Poggio Casciano near Florence, the principal source for Alauda and Modus; the 70ha Santedame near Castellina, the source of Romitorio; and the 110ha Gretole, where Riserva Ducale Oro comes from. It is also developing property near the Tuscan coast to produce Morellino and other wines. Ruffino is serious about its farming practices, and many of the estates are being converted to organic viticulture. Its celebrated Riserva Ducale bottling is named in honour of the Duke of Aosta who, in the 1920s, appointed the property as a supplier to the Italian royal house. A grander Riserva called Oro is from grapes given a longer maceration and aged in small French oak, as well as traditional casks. In recent years it has been produced as one of Ruffino s two Gran Selezione wines. The other of Ruffino s Gran Seleziones is Romitorio. Originally this was a striking blend of around 60% Colorino and 40% Merlot, but today the blend is more traditional, with 90% Sangiovese. Until 2000, it was a stronghold of the Folinari family, but brothers Alberto and Ambrogio Folinari left to create a new property and pursue other interests. It now owns or controls 1,500 hectares, with six estates in Tuscany, including Il Greppone Mazzi in Montalcino, and two in the Veneto, where it produces Prosecco and Pinot Grigio.