The present work describes the characterization of a chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for electrochemical investigation of caffeic acid (CA). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were used to characterize the properties of the electrode. There was an obvious enhancement of the current response and a decreased over potential for the oxidation of CA. The interfacial electron transfer rate of CA was studied by EIS. Under optimal conditions, the CRGO displayed a linear response range of 1 x 10(-8) to 8 x 10(-4) M and the detection limit was 2 x 10(-9) M (S/N = 3), with a sensitivity of 192.21 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2) at an applied potential of +0.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl reference), which suggests that the CRGO is a promising sensing materials for the electrochemical investigation of CA. The results showed the good sensitivity, selectivity and high reproducibility of the CRGO modified electrode. Moreover, this modified electrode was further applied to investigate the CA in real samples of wine with satisfactory results. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.