Luca Ferraris (Castagnole Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy)

In the rolling hills of Castagnole Monferrato, north-east of Asti, Ferraris Agricola has become one of the leading names behind the extraordinary revival of Ruchè, one of Piedmont's rarest and most distinctive indigenous grape varieties. What began as a small family winery has developed into a reference estate for Ruchè, with Luca Ferraris playing a decisive role in demonstrating that this relatively obscure grape can produce wines of remarkable aromatic complexity, structure and, surprisingly, ageing potential.

The Ferraris family has been cultivating vines in Castagnole Monferrato for generations. The story of the modern estate began in 1999, when Luca, after completing his agricultural studies, returned to the family winery and completely renovated the old cellar. He was among the first producers in the area to introduce rigorous green harvesting and to focus on producing high-quality bottled wines rather than selling grapes or bulk wine. Production grew rapidly, but the philosophy remained firmly centred on expressing the character of the local varieties. 

Ruchè became Luca's great passion. Historically grown almost exclusively around Castagnole Monferrato, the variety is extraordinarily aromatic, combining rose, violet, ripe red berries, herbs and exotic spice with a surprisingly firm tannic structure. Luca's work helped transform Ruchè from an almost forgotten local speciality into one of Piedmont's most exciting indigenous wines. In 2016, he acquired the historic Vigna del Parroco, the 1.4-hectare vineyard planted in 1964 by Don Giacomo Cauda, the priest widely regarded as the father of modern Ruchè. The vineyard is now the source of one of Ferraris' most prestigious wines and the only officially recognised Ruchè cru. 

The pinnacle of the estate is Opera Prima, Luca's interpretation of Ruchè as a serious, age-worthy fine wine. Inspired partly by his experiences with great Burgundy, he gives the wine extended maturation in large used tonneaux, followed by further bottle ageing. The result is a remarkably complex expression of Ruchè, combining its characteristic floral perfume with concentration, structure and longevity. The 2021 Opera Prima recently received 93 points from Vinum and was included among its Top 10 wines of Piedmont 2026, a particularly notable recognition for such a rare indigenous variety. 

For Wine Provision Shop, Ferraris is closely connected to Merum. Hannes Hentze first discovered Luca's Ruchè through a Merum Degubox, and was immediately blown away by the wine's extraordinary combination of perfume, freshness, spice and depth. What began as a tasting discovery developed into a personal relationship: Luca has visited Singapore repeatedly over the years, allowing Hannes and Wine Provision Shop to maintain a direct connection with the man behind one of Piedmont's most fascinating indigenous wines.

Today, Ferraris produces several interpretations of Ruchè, including Clàsic, Vigna del Parroco, Sant'Eufemia and Opera Prima, alongside Barbera, Grignolino, Viognier and other Piedmontese varieties. Yet Ruchè remains the heart of the estate — and Luca Ferraris one of the people most responsible for giving this rare, aromatic and wonderfully individual Piedmontese grape a place on the international wine map.