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| The two-tier Tasting Room |
A
modern and open-look winery: The reception
area is expansive and open, with a lot of glass all
around. As you enter the lobby, you face a huge counter
full of books and wine literature, reminding you of
a library. Behind the counter is a very comfortable
and private sitting area with plush furniture. On the
right side of this lobby you come across a huge, contemporary
2-floor tasting area, the higher one with white, upholstered
chairs giving a pleasant contrast to the bigger, red
chaired tasting room at the ground level. The left of
the lobby facing the tasting rooms, hundreds of yards
away showcases the 2-floored offices, transparent behind
the glass doors and walls, with the busy staff giving
the impression of chefs working in a modern kitchen
of a new age restaurant.
Wine Shop and Tasting: The wine shop
annexed to the main building is another example of the
contemporary feel and relaxing the visitor. Open 7 days
a week except winter, visitors can taste on their own
and also book for tutored tastings.' We charge a small
fee for tasting but when the customer buys something,
we waive that off,' informs the Baron taking us through
the shop'.
'So you are following the Napa Valley' model, I put
to him. 'Yes, but with warmth and personal attention,'
he quips.
Does Ricasoli make good profits from the wine shop
and the tasting? 'We do very little business at the
shop,' he confides. 'But it is the best form of communications.
People come for a visit, taste the wines, have lunch
and perhaps visit the Castle. But they remember the
name. After all we are exporting to 50 countries including
USA, UK etc. where we enjoy a good brand image and recall.'
Challenges, challenges ahead: With
the annual sales of 2 million bottles and revenues of
€ 14 million which he wants to take to € 22
million soon, he has his work cut out. But he is a man
who 'loves challenges. That is why I like to take risks
and open up new markets all the time.'
'We have a small number of labels. We have big quantity
but few products. Our idea is to keep the heritage of
the winery and yet push forward. We have to be dynamic
in the viticulture and the cellar. New products have
to be thought of.'
An echo of sentiments, also expressed by some of the
other well known wine producers like Giovanni Manneti
of Fontodi, Filippo Mazzei of Fonterutoli, and Emanuella
Stucchi of Badia a Coltibuono
Asian market is interesting: I find
Asian market is more important than other Chianti Classico
producers feel, for sure and are making more focussed
efforts in that area.
What about India, I ask, where Brolio has been present
for a couple of years but not visible. 'We are very
much interested in the Indian market. We have an importer,
Mohan Exports. But I must say the results have not been
too encouraging, perhaps because of high taxes. We are
willing to support the market and hope the market will
have something more encouraging for us. I would love
to come to India and see our wines selling there.'
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