Quality control at the Lodola Nuova Estate is paramount.

The quality of the grapes which are destined to become Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is guaranteed by a triple selection process. The first one takes place in the vineyards during the manual picking. The second one, bunch by bunch, is performed on a vibrating selection table before the destemming process, and the third one, grape by grape, on a rotating selection table between destemming and crushing. Such scrupulous attention to quality is especially important in difficult years, where a severe grape selection is essential for obtaining quality wines.

The fermentation tanks are state-of-the-art, divided in 3 levels in order to effectively manage temperature control, wine exposure to oxygen, and the extraction of the substances deriving from the skins of the grapes. This is of utmost importance when one works with Sangiovese, a variety which demands a lot of work to express its many virtues. 

For the ageing of the estate wines only 30/60-hectolitre French oak casks are used. Ruffino believes that a traditional ageing technique in medium-large casks is the best choice for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. In a larger cask the aromas and flavours of the oak have a very subtle impact on the wine; we believe that it is important to leave the Sangiovese time and space to develop the full substance and sweetness of its fruity flavours. They are, in fact, the unique characteristics of this variety cultivated on Montepulciano soil.