Piemonte, Italy
‘Vigna del Parroco’ takes its name from the historic vineyard planted in 1964 by Don Giacomo Cauda, the parish priest of Castagnole Monferrato and the man credited with rescuing Ruchè from near extinction. Today, Ferraris continues his legacy, producing a Riserva that honours both the vineyard and the variety he so passionately championed. Intensely aromatic notes of dried rose petals, black cherry and wild berries are woven with hints of sweet spice, liquorice and balsamic herbs. The palate is richly textured yet beautifully poised, with supple tannins, vibrant freshness and a long, savoury finish. An ideal companion to slow-cooked game, braised meats or mature hard cheeses. A profound and historic expression of one of Piedmont’s most distinctive native grapes.
Founded in 1923, Ferraris has become the benchmark producer of Ruchè, the captivating and aromatic native variety of Castagnole Monferrato in the hills of northern Piedmont. For generations, the family has championed this once-forgotten grape, helping to secure DOC status in 1987 and, later, DOCG recognition in 2010. Today, under the stewardship of Luca Ferraris, the estate cultivates some of the denomination’s finest vineyard sites, where limestone-rich soils and a continental climate give Ruchè its distinctive perfume and poise.
Often described as Piedmont’s most beguiling red, Ruchè combines the haunting aromatics of rose petals, violets and exotic spice with the structure and savoury character for which the region is famed. Ferraris produces a range of expressions, from vibrant and approachable examples to single-vineyard bottlings of remarkable depth and complexity. Silky yet structured, fragrant yet unmistakably serious, these are wines that challenge expectations and reward discovery – equally at home alongside charcuterie and aged cheeses as they are with rich game dishes and slow-cooked ragù.