Francesco Ricasoli

'To all those who knew him Gianni was an inspiration, a force of nature, and of course an excellent winemaker and a good friend,' said Francesco Ricasoli, CEO of Barone Ricasoli. 'It's a tragedy.'

Hosting the event was Barone Ricasoli CEO Francesco Ricasoli himself and TT Resources Bhd Western Division executive chef Federico Michieletto.

Francesco Ricasoli, the 32nd Barone Ricasoli, descending from a noble lineage of feudal landowners is the man behind the new Castello di Brolio image, responsible for launching the brand back on its feet.Francesco is the owner and CEO of one of Chianti Classico's most historic estates.
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Francesco Ricasoli no doubt inherited many of the qualities of his Great - Great - Great Grandfather.In 1990, braced with a combative spirit and plenty of determination he decided to take over the management of the family's 1,200 hectares of land.As a professional photographer by trade specializing in still-life shots for publicity, Francesco admits he was a little daunted at the enormous responsibility.

‘ It was a challenge,' admits Francesco. ‘I started managing the production side in 1990 and finally after some tough legal battles with the previous owners (Hardy) we bought back the Barone Ricasoli brand in 1993.'

It was a turning point ‘It wasn't just a question of courage.We required enormous investments, especially in re-planting vineyards,' explains Francesco, who admits he had little know-how of the commercial side of marketing and selling wine. ‘This is probably what saved me, ‘I really hadn't the faintest idea what I was getting into and therefore had no pre-conceived ideas.'

When Francesco took over there were two fundamental concepts which he put into practice. ‘The first: clear, concrete ideas, the second to engage a team of valid people.'
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Francesco Ricasoli, now in his mid fourties is the youngest of the new Ricasoli generation.He has two older sisters, who have chosen not to take part in the management of the family estate.Francesco is pragmatic and determined in his philosophy and strategy as to what Barone Ricasoli should be doing and where it is going.

‘It was frightening at first but I believed in what I was doing.It was like being in the middle of a ford - you need to swim over to the other side.There's no time to think, you just have to swim in order to survive.The stronger the current, the harder you have to swim - it was a bit like that,' admits Francesco.
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Leaving behind the difficulties brought about by new eras, Francesco is a man with a vision who looks to the future, aware of necessary changes. ‘My aim was to save a patrimony and to relocate our wines at the top.The first has been achieved while the second may take a life time.We've come a long way since 1993.It would be too presumptuous to say we're at the top - that's not for me to say,' comments Francesco.

Barone Ricasoli's philosophy can be summed up in one word: ‘quality, quality and quality', repeats Francesco.
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Francesco believes in classic tradition where quality prevails.He believes that the future of Tuscany is Chianti Classico, from selected vineyards and grapes.
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When Francesco is not traveling round the globe promoting his wines - he flew 240,000 miles in 2003 - his hobbies are focused on the sea.He has a world-wide collection of Cowrie shells which he often dives for himself.When possible he skives off sailing with his wife, Charlotte and their ten year old daughter, Sofia.

Francesco Ricasoli, MD of Castello di Brolio and president of Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico agrees that it is the duty of the Consorzio to ensure and push for quality by updating the present legislation."We need to persuade producers to re-plant old vines," says Ricasoli.