The Antinori family has been making wine for over 600 years, ever since Giovanni di Piero Antinori became part of Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri in 1385. For 26 generations the family has always personally managed the business making innovative and courageous decisions, always with unwavering respect for tradition and the land. Solaia was first produced, almost fortuitously, in 1978 in that vintage, the Cabernet to be utilized for Tignanello (the pioneering Super Tuscan created by the Marchese Antinori firm) was of excellent quality and more substantial in quantity than usual. Marquis Piero Antinori, accordingly, decided to ferment and age the wine of these grapes as a pure Cabernet, producing 3,600 bottles.The initial blend of the wine was 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, and the blend was repeated in 1979. In the following vintages, 20% of Sangiovese was introduced and a few adjustments (depending on the characteristics of the individual vintage) of the balance between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were made, settling finally on the current blend.

Tuscany is a region in central Italy which produces wine, including Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino. Having a strong linguistic and cultural identity, it is sometimes considered "a nation within a nation". Tuscany is recognised globally as one of the most prolific wine regions in Europe. Where its vineyard is, the terroir produces a comprehensive range for friends of the world and with its various styles of wine-making.