Chianti Rufina in Medieval Setting and Villa | Wine Tour from Florence
7-Hour Small-Group Chianti Rufina Wine Tour from Florence (Max 8 Guests, Villa Estates, Sommelier Guide & Lunch)
- Duration
- 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Group
- Small group · 2–8 travelers
- Transport
- A/C minivan included
- Lunch & Tastings
- Seated lunch & wines included
About This Tour
Italy and Wine operates a 7-hour small-group Chianti Rufina castle and villa wine tour from Florence (strictly capped at 8 guests, €220 per person), departing from central Florence (Lungarno Cellini 33) to the historic noble estates just 30 minutes east of the city. Guided by an English-speaking sommelier and wine tour expert, you explore two medieval castles and Renaissance villas, tour centuries-old underground aging cellars, and taste Chianti Rufina DOCG, Riserva, and Super Tuscan wines alongside a traditional Tuscan lunch.
For over five centuries, Florentine noble families built fortified castles and country villas across the cool, high-altitude hills of Chianti Rufina at the foot of the Apennines. Walking through historic vineyards and subterranean barrel vaults with your sommelier guide, you learn how Rufina’s rocky limestone soils and mountain breezes shape some of Tuscany’s most elegant, age-worthy Sangiovese Riserva and Super Tuscan blends.
At the second historic property, sit down for a multi-course traditional Tuscan lunch featuring seasonal local dishes and estate-pressed extra-virgin olive oil paired with the winery’s flagship reds. With only a 30-minute drive back to Lungarno Cellini in Florence, this 7-hour small-group experience offers deep wine education and historic architecture with minimal travel time.
Highlights
- Visit renowned Chianti wine estates within historic medieval castles and villas
- Guided tastings of Chianti Classico Regular, Reserve, and Super Tuscan wines
- Traditional Tuscan light lunch featuring fresh local ingredients
- Learn the region's winemaking traditions from an expert local guide
Itinerary
Pickup
Meet your guide at the tour's meeting point and head into the Chianti Rufina countryside.
Historic estate — vineyard walk & tasting
Visit a wine estate set within a medieval castle or villa, with a guided tasting of Chianti Rufina wines.
Second estate — Reserve & Super Tuscan tasting
Taste Chianti Classico Reserve and Super Tuscan wines at a second historic property, followed by a traditional Tuscan lunch.
Countryside views
A scenic stop to take in the castles and vineyards that define the Chianti Rufina landscape.
Return
Drop-off back at the meeting point.
Your Wine Expert Guide
Boutique Family Wineries across Chianti Rufina
Meeting Point
Lungarno Cellini 33, Florence
Tour Area
Cancellation Policy
| Notice before departure | Charge |
|---|---|
| More than 14 days | No charge |
| 48 hours – 14 days | 50% of tour price |
| Less than 48 hours | 80% of tour price |
| No-show | 100% of tour price |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Chianti Rufina different from Chianti Classico?
Rufina is a much smaller subzone northeast of Florence, at higher altitude with cooler temperatures and rockier soil. Its wines tend to be more acid-driven and elegant than the fuller-bodied style of Chianti Classico.
Are the wineries really inside a castle or villa?
Yes — this route specifically visits historic estates set within a medieval castle or villa, combining the wine tasting with a bit of Tuscan architecture and history.
Will I be sharing the tour with other travelers?
Yes — this is a small-group tour with a maximum of 8 participants, typically a mix of couples, friends and solo travelers. It is a good option if you would rather not book an entire private vehicle.
Reviews
★ 5.0 · 33 verified reviews
Lory Strickland
Our wine tour with Matteo was a real highlight. He was full of knowledge and a wonderful host to share the day with. We especially enjoyed how different the wineries were from one another and everything we learned along the way. It was a genuinely fun day and we'd recommend it to anyone.
Lauren Graham
Matteo and the winery hosts we met along the way were both knowledgeable and welcoming — a genuinely lovely day out. We would recommend it to anyone keen to learn more about Tuscan wine.
Kristin Thompson
We had an excellent tour with Matteo. His knowledge of Italian wine is exceptional, and he is simply a genuinely lovely person.
Susanne B.
My husband and I have been on many winery and vineyard tours over the years and none came anywhere near this experience. It is the perfect itinerary: 35 minutes outside the city, two beautiful family-run farms with unbelievable architecture hundreds of years old. Our lunch stop was a hidden gem, a pretty little restaurant that was delicious and charming, with quirky artwork everywhere. Our driver and guide, the marvelous Matteo, was beyond competent and informative, and funny and charming too. I highly recommend this tour.
Odassis Ibarra
Matteo was our guide and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. His knowledge and enthusiasm for wine and the history was contagious! We highly recommend anyone visiting the area to book a tour. We very much enjoyed the wineries selected, delicious lunch, and appreciated the time spent at each location. Not rushed, very well-paced.
Chris Collins
This wine tour was absolutely phenomenal. From the breathtaking vineyards to the expertly guided tastings, every detail was perfectly curated. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made the whole experience fun and engaging. We sampled exceptional wines and learned a great deal about the winemaking process. A must for anyone visiting the region, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
