About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Chardonnay grows at La Solatia, a Ruffino estate in the hills around Siena, near the medieval village of Monteriggioni. The vineyards lie at 190–250 m above sea level. Trials begun in the 1980s showed that the estate’s soils and microclimate were particularly suited to white-wine production.
Vinification
In 2009, the grapes reached optimal ripeness by mid-August. They were harvested by hand, selected, chilled and gently pressed. After cold filtration, the must fermented without skin contact for three weeks in Allier and Tronçais oak barrels, half new and half in their second year of use. Fermentation took place at 18 °C under controlled humidity.
Ageing
The wine matured on its lees for four months, with bâtonnage twice weekly. After separation from the lees, it spent a further three months in French oak barrels and then three months ageing in bottle in the winery’s cellars.
Label / history
The estate takes its name from solatia, a Tuscan dialect word meaning “bathed in sunlight” or “on the sunny side.” In the 1980s, Ruffino became the first company in the area to carry out successful trials with Chardonnay.
