The Ruffino winery was founded in 1877 by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino. Since neither of the Ruffinos had children, in 1913 they decided to sell their already quite successful winery to the Folonari family, which had been making wine since the 1700s.





Riserva Ducale was first released in 1927 under the name of Riserva Ducale Chianti Stravecchio. Its 'Ducale' name comes from the fact that Ruffino Chianti was the Duke of Aosta's preferred wine, and so Ruffino made a Chianti especially for the Duke (the 'Duke's Reserve'). Ruffino joined the Chianti Classico Consortium, and in 1947, a second Riserva Ducale, the newly named Riserva Ducale Oro (Gold Label) Chianti Classico, was first released.





The heart of all Chianti, including the Gold Label, is the Sangiovese grape variety. But the composition of Gold Label has changed throughout the years (The 1955 contained 75 percent Sangiovese; the percentage went up to 90 percent in the 1980s, while current Gold Label vintages are 85 percent Sangiovese). But more importantly, the Sangiovese variety itself has changed greatly during this time due to development of different clones. The Sangiovese clones being used by most Chianti producers today are darker in color and more intensely flavored than the typical Sangiovese grapes of 30 years ago.





Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Gold Label remains a benchmark for Chianti wines. Its high quality is even more admirable when you consider its considerably large production.

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