Riecine

Riecine is an Italian winery producing Chianti Classico and 'Super Tuscan' Toscana IGT wines, predominantly from Sangiovese. The modern estate in Gaiole was founded in the 1970s but the property has a recorded history growing vines and making wine dating back to the 12th century; it had been owned and farmed for hundred of years by the local monastery, Badia a Coltibuono.

The Riecine label was created by John and Palmina Dunkley, who bought the estate in 1971 when it had just over a hectare (2.5 acres) under vine. They restored the stone villa, planted a new vineyard and released the inaugural 1973 Chianti Classico in 1975. The estate has since grown to more than 12 hectares (30 acres) divided between eight vineyards, almost half of which were planted in the new millennium. The vineyards are all organically farmed and have third party certification, with recent moves by the estate to incorporate biodynamic practices. Almost all of the vines are given to Sangiovese, the dominant variety in its IGT wines and the only variety used in its Chianti Classico.

Winemaking follows a broadly minimalist approach, certain lots of grapes are still crushed by foot, followed by a cold maceration of several days and a naturally occuring fermentation from yeast present in the vineyard. The fruit is kept separate based on its source vineyard plots during vinification and maturation, which occurs in open cement vats and French tonneaux oak barrells respectively. The Chianti averages 12 to 18 months in oak, while the Super Tuscans age for up to two years.