In 1877 when cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino embraced their passion for winemaking by establishing a small winery in the town of Pontassieve near Florence, the region already had a centuries-old tradition of growing exceptional wine grapes.
Even so, the two Tuscan natives felt certain that much of the area's greatness had yet to be revealed. Tuscany had been heaped with good fortune--mineral-laden soils, the cooling influence of the Mediterranean Sea, the dry summers that wine grapes favor. And all those luscious, sun-drenched hills.
As word grew about the quality of Ruffino's wines, the winery flourished. The cousins honed their expertise, and soon Ruffino became known for clean, balanced wines, adopting the motto "here we make ideal wine."
Ruffino's status was firmly established both nationally and internationally when its Chianti won a Gold Medal at the 1881 Milan Wine Exhibition, a prize at the 1884 Nice Exhibition, and another Gold Medal at the 1885 Antwerp Exhibition.
Intrigued by the winery's reputation, in 1890, the Duke of Aosta braved a long journey to taste the Ruffino wines he had heard so much about. He was so impressed by the wines that he appointed Ruffino as the official supplier to the Italian royal family. In 1927, Ruffino returned some of the honor bestowed upon its wines by releasing its first vintage of Riserva Ducale--named after the Duke of Aosta as an acknowledgement of his esteemed patronage.
The reputation of Ruffino wines continued to spread, and Ruffino soon began to export its wines to the United States and other countries. In fact, the first Chianti imported to the U.S. was Ruffino.
After the Second World War, Ruffino purchased the first of its Tuscan estates, the Villa di Montemasso in the Chianti Classico region.. Ruffino continued to invest in new vineyards and became one of the first major wineries with vineyard estates in Italy's three most renowned wine-producing regions – Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Ruffino has established itself as a leader in Chianti, renowned for consistency and quality, and Ruffino Chianti has become a global ambassador of Tuscan wines around the world. Not surprisingly, when Chianti first became recognized as a DOCG wine in 1984, Ruffino Chianti DOCG was awarded the first warranty strip #AAA00000001.
Today, more than 135 years after its founding and over 85 years after the release of Riserva Ducale, Ruffino continues to express the history and heritage of Italy with every bottle of wine released.
"Crisp, clean and delicate with fine bubble caressing the palate. Intense sensations of apples and peaches drive a pleasant aftertaste, that is reminiscent of fruity
16b
Italy » Toscana IGT
Wine Advocate 92 "This is a well-priced blend of 39% Sangiovese, 35% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2016 Modus opens to a darkly enriched and
"50% Grechetto, 30% Procanico, 10% Verdello, 10% Canaiolo Bianc "Straw yellow in color, Ruffino Orvieto Classico Abboccato is fresh and fragrant, with delicate flowery notes of
100eItaly
"Straw yellow in color with copper overtones. On the nose this wine exhibits intense floral notes followed by aromas of pears and green apples. Refined
16cItaly » Chianti Classico
Wine Spectator 91 “This is bright, featuring iron, loamy earth and sweet spice notes flanking the core of berry fruit. Shows tension and fine length, with
87cItaly » Prosecco di Conegliano
"Crisp, clean and delicate with fine bubble caressing the palate. Intense sensations of apples and peaches drive a pleasant aftertaste, that is reminiscent of fruity
"Pale ruby red in color. Ruffino Chianti expresses a delicious bouquet, with floral and fruity notes leading to lightly spicy scents of white pepper and
62bItaly
"Straw yellow color. Notes of meadow flowers, pears, and golden apple. The bouquet is fresh and complex, showing refined notes of sage andmint accompanied by
16cItaly » Chianti Classico
“Fruity and harmonious, this wine reveals velvety tannins and an elegant texture. A long finish with hints of plums and violet characterizes this wine.”~winery notes
“Ruffino sparkling rose is fresh and fragrant with notes of strawberry and slight hints of rose petals. On the palate this wine has elegant bubbles
17aItaly » Orvieto Classico
“This wine's smooth, refreshing flavors balance beautifully with its structure and acidity. Orvieto also offers a unique mineral character that comes from the chalky limestone
47bItaly » Montalcino
Wine Enthusiast 95 “Aromas of underbrush, tilled soil, iris, new leather and red-skinned berry take shape in the glass. It's full in body yet shows a
"Chianti Superiore is a well-structured, medium-bodied wine with elegant tannins and a lingering finish. It has rich flavors of plums, cherries and blueberries as well
"Pale ruby red in color. Ruffino Chianti expresses a delicious bouquet, with floral and fruity notes leading to lightly spicy scents of white pepper and
Italy » Prosecco di Conegliano
"Crisp, clean and delicate with fine bubble caressing the palate. Intense sensations of apples and peaches drive a pleasant aftertaste, that is reminiscent of fruity
“Ruffino sparkling rose is fresh and fragrant with notes of strawberry and slight hints of rose petals. On the palate this wine has elegant bubbles
16bItaly » Toscana IGT
"Il Ducale shows notes of cassis, cherries, plums, and chocolate, which then fade into aromas of vanilla, tobacco, vanilla, eucalyptus, and spice. The wine opens
16cItaly » Chianti Classico
“This complex wine is characterized by cherry and violet notes with delicate hints of tobacco, white pepper, and a touch of flint. Riserva Ducale Chianti
70aItaly » Moscato d'Asti
" The bouquet is very fragrant and displays aromas characteristic of the Moscato varietal. Hints of sage and citrus fruit give way to distinct notes
62cItaly » Friuli-Venezia Giulia
"Fresh and fragrant with bright notes of pineapple, white peach, and tropical fruits accompanied by delicate scents of white flowers and sage. The acidity is
“The Riserva Ducale is an intense ruby red color. This complex wine is characterized by sweet cherry and red berry fruit notes with delicately spiced
"Il Ducale shows notes of cassis, cherries, plums, and chocolate, which then fade into aromas of vanilla, tobacco, vanilla, eucalyptus, and spice. The wine opens
"Fresh and fragrant with bright notes of pineapple, white peach, and tropical fruits accompanied by delicate scents of white flowers and sage. The acidity is
Wine Enthusiast 93 "Lovely floral scents of violet and iris mingle with dark fruit and a whiff of exotic spice. The elegant, structured palate offers fleshy
"Chianti Superiore is a well-structured, medium-bodied wine with elegant tannins and a lingering finish. It has rich flavors of plums, cherries and blueberries as well