Tenute Rubino > Who we are > Tenute Rubino: the estate

The Estates: 200 hectares of vineyards distributed in four different areas.

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 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. In case of water stress the estates are provided with drop-irrigation system, projected to avoid humidity stagnation.

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).

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. Only between August 2000 and 2003 the temperatures rose above the average. Cool temperature during summer 2008 in the following vintage attenuated the overheating phenomena. 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 Uggio and Punta Aquila estates on the Brindisi plain.

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 mm.

Jaddico estate

The 50 hectare 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 international variety of Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyards, almost all trained to the espalier system, have a density that varies between 500 and 6000 plants per hectare. The soil is calcareous and sandy thus favouring good development of the vine’s roots and drainage of exceeding waters.

Marmorelle: young vineyards in ideal terrains.

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 soil is deep with calcareous stones in this 38 hectare estate, all trained to the espalier system with a density of 4000-6000 plants per hectare. The vineyards in this productive area in Brindisi province are particularly vigorous and the grapes ripe precociously. Often the harvest occurs, for the same grape variety, 10 days earlier than in other farm estates. The climate is cool and constantly ventilated by east winds, also thanks to the nearness to the sea.

Uggio: the  International and autochthonous grape varieties on the Salentino Plain.

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 Italian tradition – are  also present; as well as the international Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The vines are trained to the espalier system and have a density of about 5000 plants per hectare. The dark soil of calcareous origin has a good balance of clay and sand. The temperature can reach a difference of 15° C between day and nightime, microclimatic conditions that confer long-living aromatic persistence to the wines.

Punta Aquila: Primitivo grapes in a modern viticultural context

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). This young vineyard is trained to the espalier system in spurred cordon with a planting density of about 6000 per hectare. The soil is of medium consistency, sandy with a consistent presence of micro and macro elements that confer balanced acidity and excellent sugar level to grapes.