Rufina has always been a land of wine, ever since Cosimo III de' Medici officially named it one of Tuscany's four best areas for the production of fine wines. The ideal climate and excellent location have also contributed to the achievement of the DOCG Chianti Rufina designation.
On the last weekend of September, to mark the arrival of autumn, Rufina pays homage to this excellence of its with the Bacco Artigiano event.
The whole village comes together for grand celebrations that include the reenactment of the ancient tradition of the Carro Matto, a large agricultural vehicle that, with skill and care, was loaded with new wine and brought to the center of Florence.
A firm pyramid of 1,500 skillfully arranged flasks is built on the cart, in which the ruby red of these vines ripples; early in the morning the cart, drawn by mighty Chianina oxen, sets off toward the center of the city, escorted by a procession of ladies and noblemen, as in a sacred procession. The barroccio is brought to Piazza Signoria and welcomed with open arms by the Gonfaloniere of the Republic and the Florentine people, to toast the city and its lands.
In Rufina, the tradition of the Carro Matto, still very much felt, is accompanied by the celebrations of Bacco Artigiano, an entire weekend of events, exhibitions, workshops and concerts to celebrate the food and wine excellence of the area. Among the places covered by the event is Villa di Poggio Reale, where the Museum of Vine and Wine is based.