(Ripani Hills Winery)
The company was established by a group of farmers, who could no longer bear to submit to the oppressive conditions of many local private wine firms. Their primary aim was to preserve and improve their own wine production.
It started up in 1969 with the name of “CANTINA SOCIALE DEI COLLI RIPANI” as a cooperative company after numerous bureaucratic and economic problems. The first winemaking from its members’ grapes took place in 1977, under very prohibitive conditions.
In the beginning, 150 people worked for the company, and processed approximately 4,000 tons of grapes. The winery has been growing dramatically since 1977. Currently, there are 450 members, a global vine-growing surface of about 1,150 hectares, and an average productive capacity of 15,000 tons of grapes, (approximately 100,000 hectoliters).
Although it still remained a cooperative company, it had changed its name to “LA CANTINA DEI COLLI RIPANI” and, over the years, it has become competitive in the international wine market. Whereas at the beginning it sold almost its entire production in bulk, at present, more than the 50% of the production is sold retail, in bottles, or in 5-liter jugs, etc.
The first real revolution, and the most important improvement, occurred many years ago when several outlets were opened. This generated a way to sell its wines directly to the consumer.
At present, the winery has got 11 outlets in the Marches Region, as well as exclusive agents in Milan and in other areas in Italy.
The distribution network also includes customers (i.e. restaurants, wine bars and various dealers) located in regions such as: Lazio, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, etc.
In terms of exportation, which at the moment still represents a small percentage of the entire turnover, the firm sales are mainly concentrated in countries such as: USA, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Japan and China.
During the year 2007, the Colli Ripani winery established an affiliated company in Poland in order to take advantage of the huge growth in demand.
With the exponential growth of the direct sales (especially over the last few years), the firm has achieved two main objectives. First of all, it has brought about an increase in each member’s annual income. Also, there has been a dramatic overall improvement in the company and its product image.
Considerable financial and organizational resources have been required, and above all, shrewd and precise marketing programs based on various factors.
For example, higher product quality is assured due to the improvements in each stage of the manufacturing process. This includes a meticulous control of the yields per hectare, the reorganization of vineyards, and a careful selection of the best grapes. Furthermore, modern and highly specialized technology is used in the winemaking, whereas the fermentation of wine takes place in large oak barrels. The bottling procedure occurs in a modern plant, whose production capacity is equal to 3,000 bottles per hour.
Also, assurance of the quality standard of the products is maintained according to ISO 9002 VISION certification. Excellent quality/price ratio for the entire range of products is guaranteed.
Moreover, new and original styles for all products have been employed through sophisticated and refined packaging, and updates of labels and packs. Advertising and promotional campaigns have also been targeted to the specific needs of the distribution network.
The firm has divided the entire production into two different product lines for wines sold by the bottle:
Medium-high quality line called “COLLI RIPANI”, including the following wines:
High-quality, premium line, obtained from a selection of distinctive vineyards owned by a few select vineyards of members called “PHARUS” (meaning “lighthouse” in Latin), including the following wines:
The excellent quality of these wines is confirmed by several prizes and awards achieved over the years, both in Italy and abroad.