HISTORY:

“Ricasoli literally wrote the book on how to make Chianti Classico”
- James Suckling, Wine Spectator, January 2009”.


Barone Ricasoli is the oldest winery in the world, producing wine at the estate since 1141. The current owner, Barone Francesco Ricasoli, is the 32nd generation Baron of the family.

Geremia and Ridolfo were the original Ricasolis, but it was in the year 1000 that the Ricasoli family was granted the highest degree of power over their feudal land, the title of “Baron” decreed directly from the King. This title signified full autonomy over their lands and those who inhabited them.

After centuries of defending their land and people, the Ricasoli family was the first to utilize their farmland and vineyards, producing and selling their best wine production. It has been documented from as early as the 16th century that Brolio had exported wine to Amsterdam and England and from the beginning of the 20th century, Brolio wine had become renowned and exported all over the world.

BELIEFS:

"One may be impressed by our size.
But our motto is quality, quality and
only quality." - Francesco Ricasoli

NOTES:

The Italian wine most well known in the world is a result of the research and experiments of the Baron Bettino Ricasoli. Born in 1809, the "Iron Baron" was the first to transform the territory of Brolio into not only a large, modern wine-producing business, but also one of great admiration and respect. Relocating to the castle when he was just twenty years old from his family’s villa in Florence, Bettino Ricasoli divided his time between his political responsibilities as the Prime Minister and those of an innovative entrepreneur and researcher. He is credited with establishing the formula of Chianti Classico wine. Taken from the best quality vineyards of Brolio, the elaborate blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and a small percentage of Malvasia (only when producing wine not intended to age) emerged. Recently, the formula has been slightly modified with Sangiovese as the main grape and a maximum 20% of other varieties.

REGION DESCRIPTION:

Tuscany is without a doubt one of those wine regions that produce some of the most important reds in the world. It is a region full of tradition, but it is in continuous evolution since the introduction of international grape varieties and the use of French barriques that became common in the 1970s. Beginning in the 80s and through the 90s, the new wines, the Super Tuscans, were a peak for Tuscan wine producers growing wines with an international taste that gave Tuscany a very good reputation as a wine producing area.