OUR PHILOSOPHY
Villa Santo Stefano is a special place. Nestled in the gentle hills north of Lucca, it unfolds within a landscape of quiet strength, rich history, and natural beauty. When Wolfgang Reitzle and Nina Ruge discovered this estate, it was not only the expansive view reaching to the sea that impressed them. Above all, it was the unique atmosphere – a harmony of calm, authenticity, and the promise of nurturing something truly valuable. What began as a private retreat quickly blossomed into a passion. The desire arose to understand, care for, and express the uniqueness of this soil through exceptional olive oil and characterful wines. Thus, from a holiday home emerged a philosophy rooted in mindfulness, high standards, and deep connection to Lucchesia. From the very start, it was clear: quality arises from experience, dedication, and the collaboration with the right people.
“The biggest enemy of quality is haste.”
HENRY FORD
For the extra virgin olive oil, Wolfgang Reitzle enlisted the Pruneti brothers – a family from Chianti Classico renowned for generations of outstanding oil and uncompromising craftsmanship.
The same high standard applied to winemaking. Today, Attilio Pagli serves as head winemaker, responsible for the continual refinement of our wines. Together with agronomist Alessandro Garzi and oenologist Alessio Farnesi, a quiet precision takes shape here, built on knowledge, respect, and intuition – both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Our work is driven by a deep desire not to reshape the essence of this place, but to reveal it. We cultivate organically out of conviction. Every step, every intervention is guided by trust in nature’s balance. The vines grow as they are meant to, the olive trees follow their own natural rhythm. This approach lays the foundation for a quality that comes from within – focused, clear, and at peace with itself.
"Quality is the product of attention to detail."
HENRY FORD
“Loto” – The Lotus Blossom as a Symbol of New Beginnings
One morning, on the small lake belonging to the estate, a lotus flower opened – powerful, serene, and perfect. This rare event became a symbol of the new beginning embodied by Villa Santo Stefano. The lotus flower, a sign of purity, transformation, and blossoming beauty in many cultures, reflects the very essence of our place. “Loto,” the Italian word for lotus, became the name of our first and most significant wine. It carries the connection to this special moment and the spirit of our estate – a union of nature, origin, and timeless elegance. This wine represents an attitude that goes far beyond craftsmanship: shaped by respect, patience, and the quiet strength of growth. Since 2006, LOTO has accompanied our journey, a silent ambassador of what is possible when one approaches a place with dedication and vision.
The Wing Emblem – A Quiet Promise
Several of our wines from Lucca bear a delicate wing emblem on their label. It represents what lies at their core – a fusion of elegance, freedom, and the lightness with which great wines tell their stories. The wings also symbolize a mindset: staying open to what wishes to unfold. To think new paths without losing sight of one’s origins. In every drop lives this tension between heritage and future, craft and vision. Villa Santo Stefano is a place that endures. Not only in memory but in experience itself. Visitors quickly sense that this is not about fleeting impressions. It is the quiet beauty of the moment that gains meaning here – in the landscape, the encounter and the glass.
