Investment in burgeoning coastal region marks first step in ambitious brand transformation to solidify Ruffino’s place as a wine and cultural icon
Florence, Italy (March 29, 2023) — Ruffino today announces the acquisition of estate vineyards and the intention to construct a state-of-the-art wine cellar and hospitality center in the highly regarded wine region of Bolgheri. Building upon a strong presence in the top winemaking regions of Tuscany and leveraging over 140 years of winemaking mastery, the acquisition is a bold first step in the brand’s transformation to establish Ruffino as the ultimate Tuscan fine wine house.
Ruffino has acquired a total of 15 hectares of vineyards across two subregions, with four hectares in Bolgherese and 11 hectares in Sondraie. Located in the area of Maremma on the Tuscan coast and with just 69 producers present, the prestigious Bolgheri region has quickly become one of Italy’s most important wine regions, famous for producing stunning red wines made from Bordeaux grape varieties.
“We are at a pivotal moment for Ruffino as we embark on a mission to elevate the brand to stand as a beacon of pioneering innovation, uncompromising quality and Italian savoir faire,” says Sandro Sartor, president and CEO of Ruffino. “Much like Italy itself, and specifically the Bolgheri region, reinvention is at the heart of Ruffino, and this investment in the brand’s future builds on our commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality.”
Ruffino’s commitment to quality, innovation and hospitality will come to life with a new winery and wine tasting space on the newly acquired property, to be built over the next few years. Investments in cutting-edge technology will support ongoing experimentation with both traditional and innovative winemaking techniques. Protecting the environment and nurturing its biodiversity through sustainable practices are core to Ruffino’s philosophy—by 2025 all Ruffino wines will be certified sustainable and all estate level wines will be certified organic—including the newly purchased Bolgheri DOC vineyards, which are in the process of being converted to organic. The first vintage made from the new estate will be 2023, with the intention to release the first wine in 2025.
“Our goal is to express the best of Bolgheri terroir with lush and structured wines, combined with the signature Tuscan elegance,” says Maurizio Bogoni, Ruffino Estates Director. “As proud stewards of the land, we’re committed respecting each vineyard’s distinct terroir and the complex ecosystem of which it is a part. This acquisition is an important step in Ruffino’s sustainability and winemaking journey.”
The wine tasting center will embody Tuscan conviviality, iconic Italian design, and Ruffino’s winemaking mastery. It will complement Ruffino’s existing consumer experiences offered just outside of Florence at Poggio Casciano—which includes a tasting room, restaurant and overnight accommodations—and bring to life Ruffino’s signature style in a new and desirable destination for lovers of wine, food and Italian culture.
RUFFINO
Ruffino was founded in the heart of Tuscany in 1877 by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino, who dreamed of bringing the “ideal wine” to tables around the world. For more than 140 years, Ruffino has been devoted to this dream, producing elegant, time-honored wines that set the standard for Tuscan fine wine and today are imported and enjoyed in over 80 countries worldwide.
Looking to the future, Ruffino is embarking on a momentous transformation to stand as a beacon of creative bravura, Italian savoir faire, pioneering innovation and uncompromising quality that will elevate Ruffino and secure it as a cultural icon for generations to come. The transformation encompasses every aspect of the brand, from the vineyards and wineries, to marketing and hospitality, to a multi-year brand separation journey to establish Ruffino Estates as the ultimate Tuscan fine wine house and introduce Lumina as a leader in Italian sparkling wine and Pinot Grigio.
To learn more about Ruffino, visit www.ruffino.com or follow @ruffinowines on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
