About Ranchelle
The Ranchelle winery has been started in 2014 with the aim to contribute to the conservation of the heritage of traditional Maremma grape varieties and producing wines according to the philosophy of natural winemaking.
Our Story
The concept of the winery was developed by the ampelographer (expert in grape varieties) Enrico Bachechi, who today is running the natural wine distribution “Vinifero” at Vienna. Since 2016 the enological consultancy is done by Marco Giordano who runs the biodynamic winery “Podere Erica” in the Chianti region near Florence.
Our Philosophy
Ranchelle took over over one of the few old vineyards left in Maremma and planted 3 hectares of vineyards with indigeneous varieties – half white, half red grapes. All vineyards are located on an altitude of 350m with a southeastern exposure and a quite balanced soil composition (shale with silt and clay).
The winemaking is following the philosophy of natural winemaking aiming to express grape and soil with minimum intervention: No synthetic substances in the vineyards, only small amounts of copper sulphate and sulfur. In the cellar no additives during the wine making process. The wines produced in this manner are a sincere and natural expressions of the territory.
The People Behind Ranchelle
Ranchelle’s work is led by a small team of growers, harvesters, and friends of the winery who share a passion for native vines and natural winemaking.
Christoph Fischer –
Founder & Winemaker
Christoph Fischer founded Ranchelle in 2014 with a clear mission: to protect and revive the ancient viticultural heritage of the Maremma by producing native-grape, natural wines true to terroir.
A German expatriate who had spent many years living in Italy, Christoph turned his attention to the hills of Poggio Murella-Maremma, recognising the value of old vineyards and native grape varieties that were being abandoned.
Today, he leads a small estate of 4 hectares, including a 60-year-old vineyard, planted and managed with organic and biodynamic principles. In the cellar at Ranchelle, his philosophy is simple: minimal intervention, spontaneous ferments, no additives, and wines that speak of place.
Marco Giordano –
Oenological Consultant
Marco holds a graduate degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of Florence and completed specialised training in biodynamic viticulture through APAB Florence (Demeter collaborator) and additional modern biodynamic courses.
He gained hands-on experience through apprenticeships in several Tuscan wineries during and after his studies.
Since joining Ranchelle in 2016, Marco has guided the winemaking with a focus on native yeasts, minimal intervention, and the authentic expression of Maremma’s native grape varieties.
Enrico Bachechi – Ampelographer & Partner-Producer
Enrico Bachechi is an Italian ampelographer and natural-wine advocate who has dedicated his career to exploring, identifying and revitalising rare grape varieties. Originally from Livorno, Tuscany, he studied forestry and later switched to viticulture, drawn by a love of farming and biodiversity.
He has collaborated with historic vine collections in Montpellier and worked as a consultant for wineries throughout Italy. At Ranchelle, Enrico’s vision and expertise shape our commitment to native vines, massal selection and the preservation of the Maremma’s viticultural heritage.
Peter Klingspies –
Vineyard & Cellar
Peter Klingspies is a dedicated and tireless presence at Ranchelle, often the first to start work and the last to stop. Practical, reliable, and hands-on, he is the person everyone turns to when a piece of machinery needs fixing or a problem needs solving.
Through years of hands-on experience in the vineyards and cellar, Peter has learned the craft of winemaking from the ground up. He is deeply committed to Ranchelle’s natural winemaking philosophy and plays a key role in carrying out the daily work that allows the wines to be made with care, patience, and respect for nature.
Maya Martens
Maya Martens has been part of Ranchelle’s story from the very beginning. Growing up alongside the vineyards, she spent her summer holidays helping wherever needed, from watering young vines to long days in the fields during harvest. Time in the cellar taught her the care and patience behind natural winemaking, and she continues to support Ranchelle’s vision of preserving indigenous grape varieties and traditional methods.
Mukta Martens
Mukta Martens has supported the Ranchelle project since its early days, learning the rhythms of vineyard and cellar life through hands-on experience. From assisting with daily vineyard tasks to harvest work and keeping the cellar in order, she has grown up immersed in the values of natural farming and respect for the land. Being part of a project dedicated to safeguarding native grape varieties remains close to her heart.
Poggio Murella & the Maremma
The Maremma region, located in the South of Tuscany, is home of wine since the time of the Etruscans. Here quite a wide range of native grapes have been grown since centuries: most commonly the red varieties Ciliegiolo and Alicante and the white variety Ansonica.
But other varieties like Procanico, Nocchianello, Duropersico and Verdello have already almost completely disappeared. These indigenous grape varieties are dying out since most of the old vineyards during the last 50 years have been replaced with international varieties (such as Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonney, Syrah, Sauvignon and Viognier) or with the rather common Italian grape varieties like Sangiovese and Vermentino.
The Cellar
Ranchelle’s cellar occupies a former village grocery shop in Poggio Murella, now transformed into a simple, functional space designed for natural winemaking.
Grapes are destemmed directly above the fermentation tanks so that must and skins fall by gravity, avoiding pumps. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts, often with skin contact depending on the grape and style.
Transfers are done by gravity or by a gentle diaphragm pump.
Aging happens in used oak tonneaux, stainless steel, or fiberglass vats, and the wines are bottled without filtration.
Sulfur is not added; instead, wines are protected with nitrogen, an inert gas, during racking and bottling.
Discover Our Wines
Ranchelle produces six natural wines; each one reflecting a vineyard, a grape variety, and a piece of the Maremma’s history.