Riecine

Riecine was founded in 1971 by Englishman John Dunkley and his Italian wife Palmina Abbagnano in Gaiole in Chianti, in the northern reaches of the Chianti Classico zone. The estate's name derives from Etruscan origins, referencing its position between two rivers (ri meaning "between"). The first vintage, a 1973 Chianti Classico, was released in 1975. Dunkley remained at the helm until 1998, followed by the Baumann family from 1998 to 2011, then Lana Frank from 2011 to 2024. Alessandro Campatelli, who joined as director and winemaker in 2015, became owner in July 2024.

• Founded 1971 by John Dunkley (English) and Palmina Abbagnano (Italian)
• First vintage was 1973; released to market in 1975
• Name has Etruscan roots referencing location between two rivers
• Located near the historic Badia a Coltibuono monastery

Riecine farms over 20 hectares of vineyards in the northern part of Gaiole in Chianti, within the Province of Siena. The vineyards sit at elevations between 480 and 600 meters, providing a continental climate moderated by altitude. Soils are dominated by Macigno, an iron and mineral-rich sandstone, alongside Albarese sandstone. These well-drained, mineral-dense soils are ideally suited to Sangiovese. The estate has been 100% certified organic since 2006.

• Vineyards at 480-600 meters elevation in northern Gaiole in Chianti
• Macigno (iron and mineral-rich) and Albarese sandstone soils
• Continental climate tempered by high-altitude positioning
• 100% certified organic farming since 2006

Riecine grows Sangiovese, Merlot, and Trebbiano Toscano, producing Chianti Classico DOCG, IGT Supertuscan, and rosé wines. Every Chianti Classico wine is made from 100% Sangiovese, a commitment the estate maintained when most producers were blending in Bordeaux varieties. The flagship Riecine di Riecine ages for 36 months in concrete Nomblot tanks. Across all wines, the approach favors low sulfur additions, natural yeasts, and long fermentation. Total production runs to approximately 80,000 bottles per year. Organically farmed wines are not labeled as organic, a deliberate choice by the estate.

• Chianti Classico wines made exclusively from 100% Sangiovese
• Riecine di Riecine aged 36 months in concrete Nomblot tanks
• Natural yeasts, long fermentation, and low sulfur additions throughout
• La Gioia (1982 vintage) was among the earliest Sangiovese-based Super Tuscans

Riecine holds a notable place in the history of Chianti Classico. Dunkley championed 100% Sangiovese at a time when the appellation was dominated by producers blending in international varieties. La Gioia, first produced from the 1982 vintage, was among the earliest Super Tuscans to be based on Sangiovese rather than Bordeaux grapes, making it an outlier within that movement. The estate's long-standing commitment to organic farming, its concrete-tank aging philosophy, and its focus on site-specific Sangiovese expression place it among the defining voices of the Gaiole terroir.

• Pioneer of 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico in an era favoring Bordeaux blends
• La Gioia among the first Sangiovese-based Super Tuscans (1982 vintage)
• Organic certification since 2006; one of Chianti Classico's early organic adopters
• Concrete Nomblot tanks used for extended aging, preserving freshness and minerality