Villa La Ripa

Villa La Ripa, a stunning Renaissance villa situated on the hill of Pecognano, boasts a centuries-old tradition of winemaking. Its history traces back to the 2nd century A.C., when it was first owned by Marco Peconio, whose name is linked to Pacho, the Etruscan god of wine. Over time, the villa passed through the hands of prominent families such as the Ricoveri, Gualtieri, Ubertini, Bucchi, and Luzzi families, each leaving their mark on the estate. The Gualtieri family, poets and cardinals, were responsible for shaping the villa's current architectural design during the Renaissance and registering it in the Order of Saint Stephen’s name.

After Napoleon’s troops invaded Arezzo in the 19th century, Villa La Ripa was confiscated and auctioned. The Ubertini family, notable for their leadership in the famous Battle of Campaldino, acquired the estate, further expanding its vineyards and olive groves. The Bucchi family later planted the estate's oldest vineyard, which still thrives today. The Luzzi family, the current owners, continue to follow the ancient tradition of wine production, focusing on high-quality wines that reflect the rich history and character of the estate.

Villa La Ripa's vineyards are in the Chianti dei Colli Aretini area, on a gentle slope, with southwest exposure. The soil is moderately loose-packed, quite windy, set between two torrents. The oldest vineyard of Villa La Ripa was planted at least 50 years ago with the traditional variety of Sangiovese, Canaiola, Trebbiano, Malvasia, and, oddly enough, Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vines are planted at a distance of two meters while the rows are three meters far. Today they seem enormous distances, but this was the traditional planting of Tuscan vineyards, which they try to maintain in their originality. The new vines of Villa La Ripa (planted in 2001-2003) have a completely different spacing: 80 cm between the plants and a distance of 220 cm between the rows (Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay). This way, the winery aims at producing two kinds of wines: one is more traditional and closer to the classic Chianti while the other is more innovative, and closer to the concept of the Great Super Tuscans.