We are pleased to report the article by Tuscany People “Where to taste Chianti Rufina: the most important wineries“, which explores the best wineries where you can taste Chianti Rufina, one of the most representative wines of the Tuscan tradition. The Tuscany People blog is a point of reference for those who love the lifestyle, excellence and beauty of this region, telling unique stories linked to the territory and its protagonists.
Below, the article signed by Tommaso Baldassini, Publisher, Blogger & Ambassador of Tuscany.
Where to taste Chianti Rufina: the most important wineries
Discovering the best wineries where you can have excellent tastings of Chianti Rufina: we know the flavors and traditions of this small Tuscan territory a few km from Florence
Tastings of Chianti Rufina, an area dedicated to wine since the 17th century
In this article we reveal where to taste Chianti Rufina, one of the smallest sub-areas of Chianti. The area derives its name from Rufina, a village about 30 kilometers north-east of Florence. The area has been known for the production of high-quality red wines since the 18th century, when the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III, classified Chianti Rufina in his famous edict among the four best wines produced in Tuscany.
According to the disciplinary, Chianti Rufina DOCG must contain a minimum of 70% Sangiovese grapes, to which other varieties may be added, and is characterized by a garnet red color and a slightly tannic and elegant sensation.
What is the best season to taste Chianti Rufina?
The best period to visit the cellars and organize Chianti Rufina tastings is between spring and autumn inclusive, but winter is also not to be disdained. During Chianti Rufina winery tours you will learn how a small number of producers (21 in total) have managed to build a worldwide reputation thanks to the uniqueness of the terroir and the wine they produce.
So let’s see where to do the best Chianti Rufina tastings.
Marchesi Gondi – Tenuta Bossi
The Tenuta Bossi, immersed in the gentle hills of Chianti Rufina, is a cornerstone of the agricultural heritage of the Gondi family since 1592. The estate, surrounded by picturesque vineyards and olive groves, produces some of the finest Chianti Rufina DOCG wines – including Chianti Rufina DOCG, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT and Vin Santo – as well as a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
The estate’s vineyards, located at higher altitudes, benefit from a unique microclimate that lends elegance and complexity to the wines. The Chianti Rufina wines produced here are known for their structure and aging potential, while the extra virgin olive oil, including the renowned Laudemio, is celebrated for its purity and exceptional flavour.
The estate offers various tastings of its wines with visits to the cellar.
Travignoli Di Conte G.Busi
The history of Travignoli is linked to wine production since 1100.
Travignoli wines enjoy a southern exposure, calcareous soils, and an altitude that ranges from 250 to 400 meters above sea level. Here, 70 hectares of specialized vineyards are cultivated on a 90-hectare estate, focusing mainly on Sangiovese, but also including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, as well as producing extra virgin olive oil.
At Travignoli, producing superb wines is based on a mix of tradition and innovation. The fermentation and winemaking processes are carried out in steel tanks, which help preserve the freshness and vibrant flavours of the red and white wines. This modern approach is complemented by the historic setting of the 16th century cellar, with its vaulted ceiling. The cellar not only ensures the aging of the wines in ideal conditions, but also maintains a connection to the rich winemaking traditions that have been part of the estate’s heritage for centuries.
The estate offers various tastings of its wines with visits to the cellar
Castello del Trebbio
Castello del Trebbio, located in the heart of Chianti Rufina, is a historic estate that combines winemaking, agritourism and sustainable agriculture. Purchased by the Baj Macario family in 1968, the castle has evolved under the vision of Anna Baj Macario and Stefano Casadei into a thriving agricultural business. The estate follows the Biointegrale® philosophy, emphasizing harmony with nature. Visitors can appreciate the estate’s rich history, its scenic beauty, and its diverse offerings, from wine and olive oil production to agritourism and organic products.
Castello del Trebbio’s wine production is rooted in the Chianti Rufina heritage, with a focus on Sangiovese and Trebbiano, as well as Mediterranean varieties such as Merlot and Syrah. The company adopts Biointegrale® methods, ensuring ecological management of the vineyard and combining traditional winemaking with innovative techniques, such as aging in terracotta amphorae. This ancient method enhances the expression of each terroir, variety and vintage, creating elegant wines such as their Chianti Rufina DOCG, which enhances the authentic flavors of the Tuscan landscape.
The estate offers various tastings of their wines with visits to the cellar.
Fattoria Di Grignano
The history of Tenuta di Grignano spans the centuries. Today Tommaso Inghirami leads the company, focusing on innovation, quality and organic farming. The estate includes 50 hectares of vineyards, 200 hectares of olive groves, 100 hectares of arable land and 250 hectares of woods. The heart of the estate is the Cantina di Grignano, where tradition and modernity meet.
The estate focuses on the cultivation of high-quality grapes such as Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo Nero, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; and white varieties such as Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Chianti and Chardonnay. The wines are organic and the estate has been certified since 2008.
The winemaking philosophy of Grignano revolves around sustainability. The microclimate, the southern exposure and the soils rich in limestone and galestro contribute to the elegant character of their wines, in particular the Chianti Rufina Riserva Poggio Gualtieri, based on Sangiovese: known for its long aging potential, this wine highlights the company’s dedication to quality and tradition.
The estate also produces high-quality organic extra virgin olive oil. In addition to wine and olive oil production, Grignano offers a unique experience thanks to its historic buildings, including the Villa di Grignano, equipped with an elegant hall with a capacity of 500 guests, ideal for events and ceremonies.
The estate offers various tastings of its wines with a visit to the cellar.
Selvapiana
In the Middle Ages, Selvapiana was one of the watchtowers along the Sieve River. In the Renaissance, the building was expanded and transformed into a villa, as a summer residence for noble Florentine families and the bishops of Florence. Most of the vineyards of the estate are located around the Villa. The property extends over a surface area of 250 hectares of which 58 are cultivated with vines, 36 with olive groves and 140 with woods, in the municipalities of Rufina, Pontassieve and Pelago.
Selvapiana is a certified organic winery. The new winemaking cellar was inaugurated with the 2005 harvests. The winemaking takes place in stainless steel with temperature control and partly in concrete barrels. Fermentation has taken place without the use of selected yeasts since 1992. The refinement is carried out in oak barrels in the old cellar under the villa and partly in barriques in the new cellar. The result is wines that have a fresh acidity, great finesse and elegance, silky tannins and a long aftertaste.
In the old Selvapiana cellar you can find all the vintages of Riserva and Riserva Vigneto Bucerchiale (their flagship wines) produced since 1948. A vertical tasting is a fascinating event that also recalls the history of Selvapiana and Chianti Rufina.
The estate offers a tasting of its wines with a visit to the cellar.
Nipozzano Castle
Ancient fortress defending Florence since the year 1000, Nipozzano Castle is the most famous and historic property of the Frescobaldi family, the one that houses the wines of the “Private Collection” of each individual member of the noble lineage.
According to popular tradition, Nipozzano means “without a well”, a testament to how the area was poor in water, an ideal circumstance for growing vines. The first evidence of the quality of Nipozzano wine dates back to the Renaissance, when even great artists such as Donatello and Michelozzo Michelozzi used to buy this wine.
A unique feature of the territory is due to the foresight of an enlightened ancestor of the Frescobaldis who, in 1855, invested 1,000 silver florins to start cultivating varieties that were then unknown in Tuscany, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot: after more than a century, the care of these magnificent vineyards allowed the production of the estate’s great wine, Mormoreto.
At Castello Nipozzano you can stay in 4 exclusive rooms, visit the vineyards, taste their wines and eat at their restaurant, all for a complete and high-level proposal.
Azienda Agricola Colognole
Azienda Agricola Colognole extends for approximately 650 hectares within the DOCG Chianti Rufina. The 27 hectares of vineyards go up the right bank of the Sieve river at altitudes ranging from 250 to 520 meters above sea level, on mainly clayey soils with plenty of galestro. The Chianti Rufina produced in Colognole distinctly expresses the characteristics of Sangiovese grown at high altitudes and close to the Apennine mountains: great finesse and elegance in the aromas combined with a marked longevity due, in particular, to the presence of abundant mineral tannins.
Over the past 30 years, the company has renovated some rural farmhouses, giving life to a hospitality project that can count on apartments, villas, and even rooms in B&B service. In 2008, a restaurant was opened inside the village, with typical “zero km” cuisine.