February 19th: Tua Rita with Giovanni Frascolla
At Vinonueva | 5145 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, 33137 | 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Click HERE to get tickets
In partnership with Vias Imports
We are pleased to welcome Giovanni Frascolla, the third generation of the Tua Rita family in Suvereto. Born among the vineyards, Giovanni grew up immersed in the world of wine alongside his father, grandfather, and grandmother, Rita Tua herself — the visionary behind the estate’s name.
This will be our second Walkthrough tasting with Tua Rita — the first took place in 2022 — and we are excited to welcome Giovanni back to Vinonueva. If you weren’t able to join us then, this is a perfect opportunity to experience the wines for the first time; and for those who did, a chance to revisit them with fresh perspective and a few more years of evolution behind them.
Photo: Giovanni Frascolla at Vinonueva Sept 2022
BACKGROUND
Perched roughly 300 feet above sea level in the hills of Suvereto — a small medieval town in the Tuscan province of Livorno, just south of Bolgheri — Tua Rita is a family estate that began as a dream rather than a grand commercial project. In 1984, Rita Tua and Virgilio Bisti purchased a modest property simply as a place to live closer to nature and cultivate their own land. What began as a retirement vision quickly evolved into a passionate pursuit of winemaking, guided by curiosity, patience, and a deep respect for the Tuscan Maremma.
For years, the couple carefully studied their soils and climate, selling grapes to notable Maremma wineries such as Sassicaia before deciding to bottle their own wines. Following its inaugural vintage in 1992, the estate quickly began receiving praise and accolades for its rich, full-bodied reds. From humble beginnings — just a few hectares of vineyards — the estate steadily grew, always maintaining a meticulous, hands-on approach.
By the late 1990s, Tua Rita had already captured the attention of wine lovers worldwide. Within just a few years, its 100% Merlot, Redigaffi, achieved cult-like status, with Robert Parker famously describing the 1999 vintage as “as close to perfection as a wine can get.” The estate’s defining moment arrived when Parker awarded the 2000 Redigaffi a perfect 100-point score — the first Italian wine ever to reach this milestone — firmly placing Tua Rita among the great names of modern Tuscany. Perfect scores would follow in later years, including a 100-point rating for the 2016 vintage from critic Susan Hulme.
Following this international recognition, the estate invested thoughtfully in its vineyards and cellar while preserving its artisanal spirit. Though the property has expanded to over 55 acres, production remains limited—roughly 3,400 cases per year—making these wines among the most sought-after from Italy.
While Redigaffi remains its most iconic wine, Tua Rita’s identity extends far beyond Merlot. The estate produces a diverse range of wines, including a Syrah — said to have been a personal favorite of Virgilio — as well as blends such as Rosso dei Notri, combining Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Among its most beloved expressions is the pure Sangiovese Perlato del Bosco, offering a more accessible yet deeply authentic window into the estate’s style.
Family has always been at the heart of Tua Rita, and that spirit continues today. After Virgilio’s passing in 2010, leadership transitioned to daughter Simena and her husband Stefano Frascolla, with Giovanni — the third generation — now playing an increasingly important role in shaping the estate’s future. Though Rita Tua is said to feel most at home in the kitchen these days, her presence and vision remain an essential part of the winery’s identity, ensuring that the artisanal philosophy that launched Tua Rita to fame continues to guide it forward.
Today, production remains small and intentional, reinforcing Tua Rita’s reputation as one of Italy’s most coveted and collectible estates.
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Tua Rita Perlato Del Bosco Bianco 2024
- Tua Rita Rosso Dei Notre 2024
- Tua Rita Keir Syrah 2023
- Tua Rita Syrah Per Sempre 2023
- Tua Rita Giusto Di Notri 2023
- Tua Rita Redigaffi 2023
Photo credits: Tua Rita