Winemaking is, after all, an ancient art here in Jaddico: over the years, archaeologists have brought to light a Roman manor house and the kilns where Visellius, the owner of the estate, fired the amphorae used to export his wine to the four corners of the Roman Empire. At the time, this land was home to extensive vineyards and served as an important manufacturing centre for wine containers.

Twenty centuries later, Tommaso Rubino chose this ancient and precious viticultural area as the home of his new company, and here he began planting typical Apulian native varieties such as red-skinned Negroamaro and Primitivo onto pre-existing root stock. Then in the early 2000s,Tommaso’s son Luigi— heir to his father’s vision of Puglia’s viticultural potential and extraordinary resources—continued the advancement of the quality of the wine, bringing the family’s vision to life.

The relationship between Piernicola Tondo – agronomist and technical consultant at Tenute Rubino- and the wine world is deep rooted since his adolescence, among the rows of vines in San Pietro Vernotico, his birthplace south of Brindisi, and in the Surano countryside where, in his family’s small company, he passed hours and hours observing with a child’s curiosity, all the manual production procedures of the grapes. A passion that became a life project after excelling in his agronomy studies which led him to complete a Degree in Agricultural and Forestry Sciences at the University of Bologna in 1983. The call back to his homeland is strong and uncontrollable. Piernicola returns to his Salento and comes into contact with the olive growing and winemaking world, through his first collaborations with wine cooperatives. A few years later, in 1988, he enters the world of Tenute Rubino: a journey which develops in parallel with the evolution of a young and ambitious company that is already looking to the future thanks to the foresightedness of its founder, Tommaso Rubino, with Piernicola they begin to develop a broadly scoped programme with the objective of renewing the company’s viticultural assets.

Intense work meetings which over time will give life to broader ideas, and where a profound friendship will form. Both begin to share the idea that such significant quantities of grapes should be taken advantage of and transformed into a short distribution chain. It is the beginning of a shared journey with Luigi and the oenologist Luca Petrelli and Piernicola will personally contribute to the success of the company and will quickly become not just a trusted team member, but one of the family, in line with the close connection and the story of Tenute Rubino which has become his second home.

In Asia, Japan is without doubt our strongest partner, followed by China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and New Zealand. Continental Europe has always been very receptive to the winemaking style of Tenute Rubino, with Switzerland and Germany being the strongest buyers, followed by Austria, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Recently, the company has expanded its market presence in eastern Europe, particularly Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and, finally, Russia, with Moscow absorbing most of the wine imported in the country.

A frontier region where everything ends and everything can, at the same time, begin again. It’s the land of the Taranta where magic ritual, folklore and music come together on Warm, endless summer nights. A landscape scattered with ancient farmhouses, trulli and some of Europe’s most exquisite Baroque architecture, as symbolised by the visual poetry of a city such as Lecce.

Up until the 7th century the area was under the rule of the Byzantine Empire and later become a frontier
between the Byzantines and the Langobards, and later the Saracens. A land ruled by the Normans, Anjevin, Aragonese, Turks—who erected countless watchtowers along the Salentine coastline—and lastly The Spaniards and Bourbons. A small yet extraordinary sliver of land, the beating heart of the Apulian region, and the soul of a unique viticultural centre such as Brindisi. Here, the vine has found its ideal habitat, a history that Tenute
Rubino wishes to keep alive by producing wines which have renewed the identity of Apulian oenology.

Brindisi entrepreneur, Tommaso Rubino, purchases the first two estates in inland Brindisi: Uggìo and Punta Aquila. The Rubino family gives the go ahead for a re-evaluation of the ancient cultivars typical of the Brindisi area.

Purchasing of the Marmorelle and Jaddico estates north of Brindisi. A unique area, dedicated to viticulture for over 2000 years. The collaboration with the brilliant agronomist Piernicola Tondo begins.

Luigi Rubino finishes his university degree and assists his father Tommaso in the management and development of a company which aims to create a standard of excellence, with nichè products.

Luigi Rubino decides to initiate the grape transformation process: the wine cellar for vinification and aging is born, with its headquarters in Brindisi, strategically located in relation to the 4 family estates.

The collaboration with the promising oenologist, Luca Petrelli, and consultant, Riccardo Cotarella, begins. Visellio is launched—an intense Primitivo with important levels of extraction. The micro experiments with Susumaniello begin—a black-skinned, almost-extinct native grape variety—a true symbol of traditional viticulture in the Brindisi area.

Torre Testa is launched, heading up the Susumaniello Project. An adventure that will become an icon for traditional Apulian oenology. The first vintage is a record breaker: 90 points in Wine Spectator, the first Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso and the first 5 Grappoli from Duemilavini.

Saturnino, Jaddico, Punta Aquila, Giancola, Miraglio, Oltremé and Torre Testa Rosè make their debut, the result of a long and continuous study of the native grape varieties Susumaniello, Privitivo and Negroamaro by the production team.

Tenute Rubino becomes more than just a winery. Romina Leopardi creates a promotional project dedicated to adding value to the area through a series of annual events, the creation of custom-made tourist and cultural experiences, and international educational projects.

Luigi Rubino is elected President of “Puglia Best Wine”, a consortium for the promotion and export of quality wines grouping together five prestigious Apulian wine brands, including Tenute Rubino.

‘Apulia Wine Identity’ is launched, the first international event dedicated to native Apulian grape varieties, created by the Consortium Apulia Best Wine in collaboration with Gambero Rosso and dedicated to specialised wine critics.

Tenute Rubino begins its sparkling wine project: Sumaré 30 months—the first traditional method Susumaniello in the world. The creation of Sumaré proved that even the South can master the art of excellent sparkling wine.

The agronomic management of the Ostuni vineyard begins, used for a rare but extremely typical Salento variety: Ottavianello. The first vintage of Lamo, 100% Ottavianello, is launched.

Tenute Palombara, near Lizzano, is purchased and dedicated completely to the production of Primitivo. The estate is the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC—one of the most well-known Apulian appellations.

The building project for the new ageing cellar gets underway, designed according to the most recent guidelines for eco-sustainability, modernity and environmentally friendly. A multi-functional structure to promote wine culture, immersed in the Jaddico estate vineyards. The opening is expected for 2023.

Acquisition of the Padula di Geremia estate, in the heart of the Valle d’Itria. 5.3 hectares at over 300 meters above sea level are home to Verdeca grapes that give life to Lamiro, 100% Verdeca.

In March of 2022, the company obtains Equalitas— the Sustainable Organization Module Certification that promotes sustainability culture in the agricultural and viticultural industry on an international basis.