The "Tenimenti Ruffino S.R.L." group consists of a number of wineries, cellars and a trading house. The headquarters are located in the town of Pontassieve, east of Florence in Tuscany. The company was founded in 1877 by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino with the aim of creating an "ideal winery". In 1913, the business was acquired by Italo and Francesco Folonari. It is said that the composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was one of Ruffino's regular customers. Subsequently, the estate expanded enormously. Today, the company is run by Luigi and Adolfo Folonari.
In 2000, the estate was divided. The former ancestral estate Nozzole near Greve is now owned by Ambrogio Folinari. Of Ruffino S.R.L., 40% belong to the US group Constellation Brands. The company employs 229 people and achieved a turnover of € 101 million in 2022. The estate comprises six wineries in Tuscany (Greppone Mazzi, Gretole, La Solatia, Montemasso, Poggio Cvasciano, Santedame) and two in Veneto (Ca' del Ducia, La Duchessa) with around 40 labels.
The protection of the environment and biodiversity with the help of sustainable cultivation and production methods in the vineyard and winery is a fundamental part of the company's philosophy. In 2018, the wineries were awarded the "Biodiversity Friend Certification of the "World Biodiversity Association". By 2025, all own vineyards (25% production share) are to be converted to organic viticulture. The product range includes red wines, white wines, rosé wines, sparkling wines, spirits, dessert wines and olive oil. Around 30 million bottles are produced annually.
The premium wines include above all various versions of the Chianti Classico from the Montemasso, Gretole and Santedame estates. The famous "Ducale" is blended from 90% Sangiovese, as well as Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The "Riserva Ducale Tradizionale" has been produced for over 100 years, and the "Riserva Ducale Oro", produced since the 1946 vintage, comes from the best sites. Other wines are the DOCG "Chianti Classico Santedame" and "Chianti Ruffino", as well as the IGT wines "Anteprima" (Sangiovese, Gamay), "Casalta" (Pinot Grigio), "Libaio" (Chardonnay), "Nero del Tondo" (Pinot Nero), "Romitorio di Santedame" (Prugnolo Gentile, Colorino) and "Torgaio" (Sangiovese), among others.
