Rufinaannual, a Thursday to Sunday core around the last weekend of September (29 September to 2 October in 2022; 26 to 29 September in 2024; 25 to 28 September in 2025, the 50th edition, when the Carro Matto reached Florence on Saturday 27 September)4 days, Thursday to Sunday
Rufina, the Chianti Rufina wine town east of Florence, holds a long weekend of wine and food events, exhibitions, workshops and concerts, centred on Villa Poggio Reale, which houses the Museo della Vite e del Vino. In the 2024 programme the Consorzio Chianti Rufina ran tastings in the villa's main hall on Saturday and Sunday and a Friday dinner, and wine bars opened in Piazza Umberto I and at the villa. The Carro Matto, an ox-drawn cart carrying a pyramid of wine flasks, travels to Florence in a costumed procession through the historic centre.
Florenceannual, second or third week of February2 days
More than 200 Chianti Classico producers pour the new annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione vintages from over 680 labels at Stazione Leopolda in Florence. The opening day is trade-only, the second opens to consumers.
Tip: Tickets release late January; the consortium prioritises trade and press on day one and consumers on day two.
Vernaccia di San Gimignanoannual, mid February2 days
The Consorzio della Vernaccia presents the new vintage of Tuscany sole DOCG white inside the Museo Civico in San Gimignano, with 40-plus producers pouring annata and Riserva.
Tip: The historical centre of San Gimignano fills quickly on tasting day; reserve a stay in Pancole or the Castagno area five minutes out.
Vino Nobile di Montepulcianoannual, third weekend of February2 days plus 2 press days
A record 57 producers pour Vino Nobile annata, Riserva and the newly introduced Pieve sub-zone tier inside the Fortezza di Montepulciano. Two press days precede the public tasting and assign vintage stars.
Tip: Combine the Anteprima with a walk through the Cantina Contucci and Cantina De Ricci, both carved into the medieval cellars beneath the town hall.
Brunello di Montalcinoannual, third or fourth week of November5 days
Tasting of the freshly released Brunello (five-year-aged) and Brunello Riserva (six-year-aged) inside the cloisters of Sant'Agostino and the Montalcino fortress, with a vintage-rating ceremony assigning a star count from one to five. Since 2018 the consortium holds Benvenuto Brunello in November (previously late February).
Tip: Plan three days minimum: the consortium walk-around, an estate cellar visit, and a vertical lunch at one of the historic Montalcino enoteche.
Region-wideannual, last weekend of May2 days
Around a thousand Italian estates and roughly two hundred Tuscan members of Movimento Turismo del Vino open their cellars to visitors with vineyard hikes, paired meals and harvest-machinery demos. The 2026 edition runs 30 and 31 May.
Tip: Most cellars accept walk-ins but star Brunello and Bolgheri estates require advance booking through the Movimento Turismo del Vino regional site.
