About an hour outside of Florence, nestled between the quaint town of Vicchio di Mugello and the picturesque Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, lies Il Rio Winery, founded in 2003 by Paolo Cerrini and his partner Manuela Villimburgo. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, Il Rio has become a beacon of excellence in a region not traditionally known for its viticulture.

Paolo, who spent his childhood cycling through the rolling hills of Mugello, found his calling in agriculture and winemaking in 1992, when he planted just 350 vines for family consumption. He began experimenting with northern grape varieties, betting on the unique pedoclimatic characteristics of the region such as clayey soil and continental climate with significant temperature variations between day and night that proved ideal for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Paolo and Manuela's hobby soon blossomed into a full-fledged business, supported by positive feedback in the late 1990s.

Vineyard management at Il Rio aims to minimize interventions in the cellar, focusing particularly on achieving excellent acidity and freshness in the wines. Fertilization is carried out using manure, and the ground is maintained with perennial grass and spontaneous herbs. Green pruning is strategically employed to balance the foliage and fruit, ensuring the grape bunches are not overly exposed to direct sunlight. Organic treatments are used throughout.

Such meticulous approach extends to the cellar, where minimal intervention techniques are employed to preserve the quality of the grapes. Must is transferred by gravity flow to minimize pump usage, and bottling involves vacuum corking with high-quality corks to prevent oxygen contact. Pinot Noir ages for about a year in wood, followed by another year in concrete tanks and 10-12 months in bottles. The white wines spend approximately 8 months in barriques and 10 months in bottles.

Il Rio’s dedication to non-invasive winemaking techniques and their focus on vineyard work ensures that each bottle reflects the true essence of Mugello’s terroir, making it a must-visit destination for wine (and motorsport) enthusiasts.