The Rufina wine zone lies about 20 km north east of Florence in the steep balcony of hills that climbs towards the upper reaches of the Apennine mountain range that separates Tuscany from Emilia-Romangna. Although in proximity to the city of Florence, it is an area of wild grandeur and beauty, and has long been a favorite retreat of nobles and wealthy Florentines families alike. This small zone is the source of not only Chianti Rufina but also of superlative wines from the tiny delimited vineyard of Pomino.

Chianti can be confusing since it can be produced in 7 different sub-zones. The central heartland, the Chianti Classico, is rightly regarded as the most important, and its symbol of the gallo nero is viewed as a guarantee of quality. The Rufina zone is the smallest of the Chianti zones and takes its name from the town of Rufina that lies along the Sieve River.