Puglia Best Wine English version > Enoworld > Tenute Rubino

The history

In the mid 80s the Rubino family founded the winery through the acquisition of a number of estates that, within a decade, formed Tenute Rubino, an important productive reality, which today is fully active, counting more than 500 hectares in production, 200 of which are devoted to viticulture of excellence. In the mid 80s Tommaso Rubino started acquiring estates in the Salento territory, creating the basis for the future development. In the 90s, inspite of a period of deep crisis for the sector, further investments to implant new vineyards were carried out. This was an unconventional choice, which was rewarded by excellent results achieved in a very short time. A path towards the research for extreme quality and for enhancement of the native grape varieties, aimed at the creation of wines of territories that express the intense characteristics of the Mediterranean vineyards.

It was the beginning of a productive course that, in 2000 resulted in the construction of a new vinification and refining cellar, located in Brindisi, and in the realization of an entrepreneurial project, based on quality-wine production in a territory – that of Northern Salento – which is particularly suitable for wine-growing. An entrepreneurial development, which – vintage after vintage – has given birth to great wines, focussed on the idea of enhancement of the native grape varieties and on modern oenological methodologies, aiming at protecting the organoleptic heritage of the grapes.

Architect of this new challenge of production and marketing maturity is the young Brindisian entrepreneur Luigi Rubino, who, in the enhancement of the territory and of the indigenous species of vine of Apulian tradition, recognizes the key for the 'oenological renaissance of the region' that could not be postponed any longer. Years of painstaking work and strong commitment but also of great appreciation began, allowing this young company to gain experience and productive awareness, enabling it to deal with new and  more distant markets, as well as with more and more demanding quality-wine consumers.

The vineyards

The vineyards cover 200 hectares out of the 500 owned by the property. They are located along the Adriatic shore towards the Brindisi hinterland. The four estates (Jaddico, Marmorelle, Uggìo and Punta Aquila) form together a continent in miniature: wines with strongly different features are derived from the same grape variety implanted in different places, giving full expression to the territorial identity which so deeply characterizes the unique and unrepeatable organoleptic profile. Two of the estates are situated a few metres from the sea, in a wonderful, breathtaking, natural scenario.

The average planting density varies from 4000 to 6000 vines per hectare; the vines are trained in the counter-espalier system and pruned in spurred cordon. Yields  per hectare vary according to each vineyard site and to each grape variety: from yelds under 50 quintals per hectare with maxima that do not exceed 80 quintals per hectare. The agricultural procedures in Rubino estates are partly mechanized (ploughing, application of fertilizers, trimming and when strictly necessary, spraying) and partly manual (winter and spring pruning, thinning, grafting and part of the harvest).

The Women's harvest

A particularity is that most of the vine-workers are women in the respect of a long tradition of Salento that hands down their manual expertise and precision from generation to generation. The microclimatic conditions of the four farm estates of Tenute Rubino are the typical ones of the Mediterranean area characterized by 1000 hours more sun exposure than the annual national average. Mild winters and hot summers are typical of the South Italian seasons. Another important factor concerns the temperature range between day and night favoured by constant sea ventilation (Jaddico and Marmorelle) and exposure of the vineyards in Uggìo and Punta Aquila estates on the Brindisi plateau. Rainfall normally concentrates during winter and spring, thus favouring the best conditions for perfect ripening of the vines. The average annual rainfall fluctuates between 500 and 800 milimetres.

The 50 hectares Jaddico estate, situated along the Adriatic shore, 8 km North from Brindisi, houses the native varieties of Negroamaro, Black Malvasia, Susumaniello, Montepulciano and Primitivo and the international variety of Sauvignon Blanc. The soil is calcareous and sandy thus favouring good development of the vine’s roots and drainage of exceeding waters. This is the place, with its ideal climatic and soil conditions, where the Susumaniello project of Tenute Rubino took shape.

The "Susumaniello"

The Susumaniello is the grape variety on which Tenute Rubino has carried out large investments in order to enhance the value of its natural richness and fragrance. Precious grape, rich in sugar and anthocyans with a good level of total acidity. The English translation for Susumaniello is 'donkey', probably referred to its initial yield, so abundant it was possible to load a donkey with it. The yield decreases consistently in the following vintages reaching an average of one kg per plant. The vineyards in the Jaddico estate, placed along the shore, benefit from constant ventilation and sun exposure. The vines of Susumaniello grew out of the selection of a 75 year-old vineyard. The plants are constantly monitored according to a specific and rigorous procedure aimed at obtaining grapes of outstanding quality. The result is Torre Testa by Tenute Rubino, 100% Susumaniello, an emblematic wine, of territory, a perfect combination of complexity and elegance. The recognition and the awards received worldwide from the most demanding markets attest its excellent quality.

The Marmorelle estate, 10 km North-West from Brindisi, is home of the young vineyards of Tenute Rubino. Here the native grape varieties are cultivated: Negroamaro, Black and White Malvasia, Montepulciano – which is a famous red-berry variety of Southern Italy – as well as the international French Chardonnay. The Uggio estate, which covers 100 hectares of vineyards, is located on the Salentino plateau, 80-100 metres above the sea level, 14 km South-West of Brindisi. The indigenous varieties implanted are Primitivo, Negroamaro, Aleatico, White and Black Malvasia; Montepulciano, Aglianico, Vermentino – which are of Italic tradition – are  also present; as well as the international Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The Punta Aquila Estate, which covers 15 hectares of vineyards, extends South-West from Brindisi, housing exclusively Primitivo grapes, the variety of Brindisi par excellence (together with Negroamaro).

The Cellar

Tenute Rubino’s beating heart is the modern cellar, an avant-garde structure for the precision oenology. The vinification apparatus is the most advanced and reductive-cold technology is used in the different phases of the vinification process. The works for the construction of the cellar, which began in 1999 and ended in 2004, gave life to a structure with consistent productive capacity and on line with the growing expectations of the company. The wine-making procedures are sensitive to the peculiarities of each varietal located in its specific vine-site. All the viticulture practices are carried out according to specific policies respectful of each single variety. It is a complex process that requires efficient organization. Tenute Rubino utilizes small and medium-sized fermentation tanks in order to allow a regular pumping over and obtain a satisfying extraction of tannins and of the varietal aroma. Slow fermentation is carried out at a temperature not exceeding 25°C in order to prolong the yeast action and complete sugar transformation. After the drawing off and the soft pressing of the skins, the wine starts ageing either in steel tanks or French (300) or American (100) wood barrels. Each label has a different ageing period. The wines are constantly tasted and monitored to assure a balanced evolution.

The Wines

The wines are conceived right from the vineyards. The distinctive features that make them unique and different depend on pedoclimatic factors and soil characteristics typical of that productive area and from the complex, attentive cultivation procedures carried out during the year. No secret alchemy, only great dedication and attention. One single, fundamental rule is observed: Respect and enhance the quality of the grapes in order to obtain elegant and competitive wines of territory, able to catch custormers’ taste. The production consists of a range of 11 wines, most of which are monovarietals. They give light to a high quality company production and are sold at the correct price for the market. The pleasantness of its floral notes, the harmonious flavour of ripe red fruit and the aromatic power of its indigenous varieties make Apulia a benchmark for quality wine.

Wine tourism

Salento is a land of wine and welcome. Such cultural and productive identity can be experienced at Tenute Rubino, in a setting of warm hospitality, through a guided visit to the Jaddico or Marmorelle farm estates – located in Brindisi’s countryside, along the Adriatic shore – as well as of the cellar in the town of Brindisi. From the lively voice of whom has undertaken a quality wine project, you can follow step by step every processing phase in the vineyard and in the vinification and ageing cellar and also assist to the screening of the pictures shot during the last harvest. And finally – the most passionate moment – you can take part in the professional wine tasting, living a unique and unrepeatable experience of senses. The winery is open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 h. to 13.00 h. and from 15.30 h. to 17.30 h. Visitors can purchase wines of Tenute Rubino, which are available in the cellar. Foreign language spoken: English. The vinification cellar (welcome point for wine tourists) is situated in Brindisi, via Enrico Fermi, 50 (see the map to reach the winery). For the visit to Tenute Rubino reservation is required, by phone (tel. 0831- 571955) or by e-mail (info@tenuterubino.it ).

Annual events not to miss at Tenute Rubino
• Cantine Aperte (Open cellars ) – Last Sunday in May
• Calici di stelle (Goblets of Stars)– 10th August
• Club Tenute Rubino -  Every second Sunday in the month – Theme dinner in a selected restaurant;