Ruffino eyes up transformation with acquisition of Bolgheri estate

Italian wine company Ruffino has acquired 15 hectares of estate vineyards in Maremma on the Tuscan coast, where it is planning to build a state-of-the-art wine cellar and hospitality centre. 

The new vineyards are split across two subregions, with four hectares in Bolgherese and 11 hectares in Sondraie on the Maremma coast. The company says the acquisition will build on its 140 year old winemaking history and marks “a bold first step in the brand’s transformation to establish Ruffino as the ultimate Tuscan fine wine house”.

The first vintage made from the new estate will be 2023 vintage, which the Pontassieve-based wine company hopes to release in 2025. It is in the process of converted the estate to organic production and is planning to build a state-of-the-art wine cellar and hospitality centre on the new site.

Ruffino’s president and CEO Sandro Sartor said it was “a pivotal moment” for the brand as it looked to become “the ultimate Tuscan fine wine house”.

“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,” he said. “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.”

The company said it would continue to invest in cutting-edge technology to support ongoing experimentation with both traditional and innovative winemaking techniques.

Maurizio Bogoni, Ruffino estates director said the goal was to express “the best of Bolgheri terroir with lush and structured wines, combined with the signature Tuscan elegance”, with protection of the environment and nurturing biodiversity through sustainable practices being “core” to Ruffino’s philosophy.

The winery has been moving towards organic production for a number of years – last year just over half (56%) of the company’s vineyards employed organic practices, and by 2025 all Ruffino wines will be certified sustainable, with all estate level wines certified as organic.

“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,” Bogoni added.
The new wine tasting centre comes in addition to Ruffino’s existing tasting room, restaurant and overnight accommodation at  Poggio Casciano outside Florence.

Ruffino was founded in 1877 by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino, and established itself as a producer of elegant Tuscan wines. I40 years later it exports to 80 countries worldwide.