CRIFO - Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia

CRIFO - Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia is an Italian wine cooperative based in Ruvo di Puglia, in the Apulia region. It was founded in 1960 by 28 vinegrowers during Italy's land reform period, initially producing only musts. Over the decades it grew into a significant winemaking entity in southern Italy, and the CRIFO brand—an acronym for Cantina della Riforma Fondaria—was established between 1960 and 1980. The cooperative specializes in native grape varieties such as Nero di Troia, Bombino Nero, Bombino Bianco, Pampanuto (or Verdeca), and Moscatello Selvatico. Its flagship wine, Augustale Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG, was first created in 2000 as the cooperative's first true cru. By 2020, the winery produced over 3 million bottles annually, distributed through HoReCa and large-scale retail channels in Italy and abroad, claiming leadership in Nero di Troia wine production. In 2021, more than 400 members delivered over 8,000 tonnes of grapes from over 1,000 hectares of vineyards. The cooperative is also part of Apulian wine tourism routes, Le Strade del Vino.

The Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia was founded in 1960 by a group of 28 vinegrowers during the period of Italian land reform (Riforma Fondiaria). Initially, the cooperative produced only musts, but it gradually expanded its operations to cover the entire winemaking process, from grape delivery to vinification. The CRIFO brand, an acronym for "Cantina della Riforma Fondiaria," was created between 1960 and 1980. Early labels of Castel del Monte DOC, featuring the original winery building, were used until 1980. In the 1980s, the winery began participating in national and international trade fairs with a new Castel del Monte DOC label, which incorporated a stylized griffin, a mythological animal found on the facade of Ruvo di Puglia Cathedral. During the 1990s, productivity increased significantly, reaching 204,000 hectoliters of grape deliveries. The cooperative invested in advertising and marketing, allowing CRIFO wines to be listed on the wine lists of many restaurants. BRC-IFS certifications enabled entry into large-scale retail distribution (GDO), and CRIFO wines with Castel del Monte DOP and Puglia IGP denominations reached supermarkets across Italy. In the 2000s, the first true cru, Augustale Murgia IGT from Uva di Troia (now Augustale Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG), was created. A new production facility was inaugurated to handle more advanced processes and bottling demands. By 2020, the winery produced over 3 million bottles (0.75 L format), distributed through HoReCa and GDO/DO channels in Italy and abroad, claiming absolute leadership in the production and sale of Nero di Troia wines in that format. In 2021, more than 400 members delivered over 8,000 tonnes of grapes, 60% of which were native varieties from the Alta Murgia, harvested from over 1,000 hectares of vineyards trained in various systems (espalier, Apulian pergola, and bush vine) in the calcareous territory of the Castel del Monte area, between the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani. The winery is part of the Apulian wine tourism routes, Le Strade del Vino.

• 2021

  More than 400 members delivered over 8,000 tonnes of grapes from over 1,000 hectares.

• 2020

  Produced over 3 million bottles, claiming leadership in Nero di Troia wine production.

• 2000

  First cru Augustale Murgia IGT (now Augustale Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG) created; new production facility inaugurated.

• 1990

  Productivity reaches 204,000 hectoliters; marketing budget increased; BRC-IFS certification enables entry into large-scale retail.

• 1980

  New Castel del Monte DOC label with stylized griffin introduced; participation in trade fairs begins.

• 1960

  Founded by 28 vinegrowers as a cooperative producing musts.

A cooperative winery rooted in the tradition of the Alta Murgia, producing authentic wines from native Apulian grape varieties, with a focus on Nero di Troia.

• Augustale Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG

  Flagship cru wine made from Nero di Troia grapes.

• Castel del Monte DOC

  Range of wines under the Castel del Monte denomination.

• Puglia IGP

  Wines under the Puglia Indicazione Geografica Protetta.

1. 1CRIFO Vini di Pugliacrifo.it
2. 2CRIFO - Cantina di Ruvo di Pugliait.wikipedia.org
3. 3Cantina di Ruvo di Pugliawikidata.org