Hospitality at Tenuta Ruffino Poggio Casciano revolves around welcoming wine lovers to a unique Tuscan location in the Chianti hills near Florence. Tasting Ruffino’s fine wines at the Tre Rane restaurant is elevated to another level through delicious culinary pairings in a singular and unconventional sensory experience.
Roses, irises and cypress trees: the lush Italian gardens greet guests to the Renaissance estate as the spring’s rain elicits all the vitality of nature against the backdrop of verdant vineyards. Beneath the loggia with its refined symmetry, expertly positioned plants bring the greenery outdoors-indoors as tables are laid with weighty linens, stylish flatware and design-driven glasses handpicked for the restaurant. Spring flowers in a delicate vase add grace to the occasion as waiters attired in contemporary white cotton shirts explain the menu options.
Only sustainable Tuscan produce is used by the skilled kitchen team that vaunt long-standing relationships with local producers to ensure freshness and quality. At Tre Rane, organic and seasonal ingredients are front and centre out of respect for the environment and in a drive to support the local economy. As an appetizer, we try the artichoke filled with shrimp tartare and cheese, a daring and brilliant flavour combination that’s as beautiful to behold as it is to devour. Elegant without being ostentatious, the cacio e pepe spaghetti is presented as a tower of pasta tailed between a foundation of braised artichokes and topped with a few fried carciofo hearts. Aqua di Venus, a Vermentino, Chardonnay and Sangiovese blend, is poured into hand-blown Arche’ glasses as we sip and converse, while American holidaymakers in the prettiest of summer dresses emerge, all smiles, from a tour of the historic wine cellar. We resist, although we are tempted by the main courses of classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina, which pairs perfectly with Ruffino’s fine reds, such as Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG and Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, the catch of the day from along the Tuscan coast and vegetarian delights like pink hummus and a summer garden of vegetables. Dessert is irresistible, however, as our spoons dip into a striking pistachio semifreddo enclosed in a chocolate shell as well as a ricotta and pollen mousse with strawberry jellies.
Indoor dining has been fully restyled at Tre Rane. A design-led bar with unusual wicker stools serves drinks, providing an opportunity to try Ruffino’s own gin, vermouth and bitters, while taking in the contemporary artworks by the likes of Rachel Lee Hovnanian and Chiara Lorenzetti, among others. The “golden visions” were inspired by Ruffino’s flagship Riserva Ducale Oro wine and were recently exhibited as the ORObyRUFFINO project during Milano Design Week. This intense focus on design continues in the glamorous ground-floor dining room complete with terracotta painted walls, precious inlay tables and black lacquered rattan chairs. Wine lovers enjoy tastings in the upstairs lounge, where contemporary yellow and grey sofas are arranged around an exquisite square vintage table, while the eye is drawn to the estate’s coat of arms set in a gilded frame.
The spring day means dining beneath the loggia proved the ideal choice. When the summer heat finally arrives or if it becomes chilly in the evening, indoor dining has been fully restyled at Tre Rane. A self-standing design-led bar with unusual wicker stools serves drinks, providing an opportunity to try Ruffino’s own gin, vermouth and bitters, while taking in the contemporary artworks by the likes of Rachel Lee Hovnanian and Chiara Lorenzetti, among others. The “golden visions” were inspired by Ruffino’s flagship Riserva Ducale Oro wine and were recently exhibited as the ORObyRUFFINO project during Milano Design Week. This intense focus on design continues in the glamorous ground-floor dining room complete with terracotta painted walls, precious inlay tables and black lacquered rattan chairs. Wine lovers enjoy tastings in the upstairs lounge, where contemporary yellow and grey sofas are arranged around an exquisite square vintage table, while the eye is drawn to the estate’s coat of arms set in a gilded frame.
No visit to Tenuta Ruffino Poggio Casciano is complete without stopping at the Enoteca to stock up on your preferred bottles and a walk through the historic cellars, where Ettore Marinelli’s impressive Oro Fuso sculpture now occupies pride of place by the newly painted bottle room with upgraded lighting, where diners can choose past vintages and large formats. The gently sloping barrique tunnel leads to an oval travertine marble table for tastings topped by a white cylinder chandelier highlighting the age-old inscription on the wall: La vite, che tanto volentieri invita ognuno alla sua coltivazione per lo giocondo, grato, soave, e dilettevole e amato frutta, che ella produce. (The vine that so happily entices each of us to cultivate it for the jocund, grateful, agreeable, and delightful and beloved fruit, which it produces.) These closing words during a visit to Ruffino’s centre of hospitality serve as a reminder of the historic company’s core mission since 1877: the production of fine wine exported and enjoyed worldwide.
Tours + tastings
Ruffino Style: Visit the rooms of the Renaissance villa and the historic winery complete with tastings of Modus Toscana IGT, Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG and Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
Ruffino Style Ultimate: In addition to the above tasting experience, savour a meal at the Tre Rane restaurant with two courses paired with Aqua di Venus Toscana IGT and Romitorio di Santedame Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG.
Tradition Reinvented: Delve into the tradition of great Sangiovese wines with a visit to the vineyards, a stroll around the historic cellar and a tasting of Modus Toscana IGT, Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Modus Primo Toscana IGT.
Tradition Reinvented Ultimate: The Tradition Reinvented tasting experience is elevated with a three-course meal at the Tre Rane restaurant matched with Aqua di Venus Toscana IGT, Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG and Romitorio di Santedame Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG.
Mastery Since 1877: Take a journey back in time with Ruffino’s best vintages with exclusive tastings of Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Modus Primo Toscana IGT and the iconic Alauda Toscana IGT. The experience culminates in a tasting of one of Ruffino’s historic riserva wines.
Tailor-Made: Contact hospitality@ruffino.it for an exclusive Ruffino experience tailored to your taste, such as vertical tastings of past vintages, cooking classes on the Montemasso estate or a masterclass to elevate your wine knowledge on topics like organic winemaking, sustainability and wine marketing for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Stay at Casa Ruffino
Book a stay at Casa Ruffino this summer and beyond to enjoy a tranquil escape ensconced in greenery a short drive from Florence. The eight rooms with vineyard and garden views have been restyled in natural tones with modern comforts for 2024.
