Tua Rita Archivi — Enoteca di Piazza

In 1984 Rita and Virgilio realized their lifelong dream purchasing the property that became Tua Rita. The landscape and buildings on this property were a mere setting for living in contact with nature whilst farming their beloved land. Their overwhelming passion for wine actually changed their plans. The original two hectares of vineyards have been cultivated meticulously since the beginning, this rigorous and passionate care collocated Tua Rita among the most successful producers labeled as vins de garage. In less than a decade they had extended the property up to nine hectares, then twenty; nowadays the totality of the planted vines includes thirty hectares. Growth has been driven by Rita and Virgilio’s enduring enthusiasm and an ever-deepening awareness of the potential of this estate in the area, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Colline Metallifere, known as Val di Cornia. On one hand the estate and the cellar had being steadily growing driven by Rita and Virgilio’s extreme commitment. On the other hand thanks to Stefano Frascolla, married to the owners’ daughter Simena, the winery’s brand awareness was expanding rapidly. Simena also got involved in the family-run business after Virgilio’s death in 2010. The estate’s name derives from the inversion of Rita Tua’s first and last name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Tua Rita winery located and in what area does it produce?

Tua Rita is located in Val di Cornia, in Tuscany, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Colline Metallifere, in the province of Livorno. This territory became renowned starting in the 1990s thanks to results achieved by wineries like Tua Rita, which showcased an area then little known for quality viticulture, proving the suitability of these soils — halfway between coast and hills — for growing international varieties such as Merlot.

Who founded the Tua Rita winery? Is it a family business?

Yes: Tua Rita was founded in 1984, when Rita Tua and her husband Virgilio Bisti bought what was meant to be simply a place to live close to nature. Their passion for wine led them to plant the first 2 hectares of vineyard, which have grown over the years to the current 30 hectares. The winery's name comes from reversing Rita Tua's first and last name. After Virgilio's death in 2010, management continued with their daughter Serena and her husband Stefano Frascolla, who also oversees the brand's image and foreign markets.

What wines does Tua Rita produce? What is its most famous wine?

Tua Rita's flagship label is Redigaffi, a pure Merlot first made in 1994 that quickly established itself as one of Tuscany's great wines, repeatedly winning Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri; the 2015 vintage was included by James Suckling among the world's top 100 wines of 2020. Alongside Redigaffi, the range includes other Tuscan red labels, consistent with the international style and pursuit of concentration that made the winery famous from its earliest days in the so-called 'vin de garage' model.

Is Tua Rita internationally renowned?

Yes: Tua Rita is considered one of Italy's benchmark examples of the 'vin de garage' model, small, extremely high-quality productions from limited vineyards. Its flagship wine, Redigaffi, has repeatedly won Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri and placed among James Suckling's top 100 wines of the year for the 2015 vintage, results that have cemented the winery's reputation well beyond the Val di Cornia.

Can you visit the Tua Rita winery? Do they offer tastings?

Yes, the winery organizes cellar tastings ('Degustazione in Azienda') with direct sale of its wines. It's an experience designed for those who want to get to know the Val di Cornia territory up close, and the journey that took Tua Rita from just 2 hectares in 1984 to one of the area's most recognized wineries. For up-to-date hours and booking details, it is best to contact the winery directly.

Are Tua Rita wines distributed abroad?

Yes: the winery has an established international presence, overseen by Stefano Frascolla, the founders' son-in-law, who has long managed the wines' image and export around the world. Redigaffi in particular is sought after by collectors and distributed through specialist retailers outside Italy as well, in addition to being available at Enoteca di Piazza for the Italian market.