Monday, August 25, 2025

At Castello Banfi, a Renowned Winery and a Luxury Botique Hotel, in Montalcino, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025


  
  

From June 16 to July 3, 2025, Annette and I spent time in wine country Italy, by car.

For an overview of the whole trip, go here: Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025 

Fourth Stop: Montalcino and Montepulciano (Tuscany)

From Chianti Classico we drove to Montalcino and stayed 2 nights at La Ragnaie, a well-known Montalcino winery which also has 12 rooms. 

One day we focused on Brunello di Montalcino producers and one day on Vino Nobile de Montepulciano producers.

On both nights we had dinner in the village of Montalcino.  

 

Castello Banfi
 
Castello Banfi was the only winery we visited in Montalcion with an extensive tasting room, catering to international clients. With 2 restaurants, one an high-end, and a botique hotel, it is much more than a winery.
 
Castello Banfi (Google AI based)
 
Castello Banfi is a renowned winery and resort in the Montalcion region of Tuscany, Italy. It is particularly famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine, which is considered one of the best in the world. Castello Banfi played a significant role in introducing Brunello to the global market.
 
Location: Situated on a hilltop south of Montalcino, overlooking stunning Tuscan vineyards and landscapes. The estate covers 7,000 acres, with about a third dedicated to wine production.
 
Winery & Resort: In addition to its award-winning winery, Castello Banfi features a luxury boutique hotel, Il Borgo, located in a restored 17th-century village adjacent to the castle. 
 
Dining: The resort offers two restaurants, La Sala dei Grappoli and La Taverna, serving Tuscan cuisine. 
 
History: Castello Banfi was founded in 1978 by Italian-American brothers John and Harry Mariani. The Mariani family's history in the wine business dates back to 1917, when their grandfather, inspired by his aunt Teodolinda Banfi (after whom the company is named), started a wine importing business in New York.
 
Wineries of Banfi Vintners:  Banfi Vintners has wineries in two primary locations: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, and Piedmont, Italy. The flagship estate, Castello Banfi, is located in the southern part of Montalcino, Tuscany, and is known for its Brunello di Montalcino wines. They also have a winery in the Piedmont region, which focuses on sparkling wines and other varietals. Additionally, in March 2025, Banfi Vintners added Alexander Valley Vineyards in Sonoma, California to their portfolio. 
 
Castello Banfi (wine-searcher) 

Castello Banfi was founded in Tuscany in 1978 by Italian-American brothers John and Harry Mariani. It had its origins in their father's business, Banfi Vintners, which was founded in 1919 and was America's leading Italian wine importer at the time. Today, Castello Banfi has vineyards throughout the northwest coast of Italy, from Piedmont, to Chianti Classico, Bolgheri and Montalcino.

The estate encompasses 2870 hectares (7100 acres) of land, with about a third under vine. Banfi produces wines from international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, as well as indigenous Italian grapes such as Sangiovese, Vermentino and Dolcetto. The majority of these wines see some time aging in oak – anywhere from a few months to 30 months for the estate's Brunello de Montalcino. 

The portfolio of Castello Banfi is broad, covering slighty effervescent Cortese de Gavi from Piedmont, to muscular and bold Super Tuscans made from Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends in Montalcino.

John and Harry Mariani (GoogleAI based)

John and Harry Mariani were instrumental figures in the American wine industry, particularly renowned for their work with Banfi Vintners
.
 
Expanded Banfi Vintners: Building upon the foundation laid by their father, John F. Mariani Sr., who founded Banfi in New York City in 1919, John Jr. and Harry transformed the company into a leading wine importer in the United States.
 
Pioneering Importers of Italian Wines: They played a significant role in popularizing Italian wines in the US, particularly through the introduction of the sparkling red Lambrusco called Riunite. 
 
Established Castello Banfi: Their most ambitious project was the creation of Castello Banfi in Montalcino, Tuscany, in 1978. This initiative transformed the region and established Castello Banfi as a leader in Brunello production. 
 
Commitment to Quality and Innovation: The Mariani brothers, along with experts like enologist Ezio Rivella, focused on advanced viticultural science and innovative winemaking techniques to produce premium wines at Castello Banfi. 
 
Legacy: The Mariani family continues to be involved in the wine industry, with Harry's son James Mariani and John's daughter Cristina Mariani-May currently serving as co-CEOs of Banfi. 
 
Harry Mariani passed away in 2016 at the age of 78
 
Arriving 
 






 
 
Enotheca
 

 
La Sala dei Grappoli (1 Star Michelin) with Chef Dominico Francone
 
Michelin Guide: A beautiful drive through typical picture-postcard Tuscan scenery of vineyards, cypress and olive trees takes you to the imposing medieval Castello Banfi, which stands proudly in front of this restaurant. La Sala dei Grappoli takes its name from the vines depicted in frescoes on the walls of its dining room, although in fine weather you’ll want to take advantage of the outdoor terrace where the beautiful views combine with impeccable service and superb cuisine to offer an unforgettable experience. Originally from Puglia, chef Domenico Francone includes Puglian specialities on the menu, such as his taralli and exquisite panzerotti. Despite this, the chef has completely embraced Tuscan cuisine (often from the Maremma) which he interprets with real creativity, adding a personal touch to some of the region’s classic dishes. The wine list includes Castello Banfi’s fine Brunello wines, with recommendations provided by the excellent sommelier. 

The story of Chef Domenico Francone (Castello Banfi web site)

His first experience in the world of catering, already in secondary school, is in pastry, a discipline that has always fascinated him.

His career path leads him to travel and experience in prestigious Italian and international restaurants. A Michelin star arrives in Tuscany, at il Ristorante Beck's Banfi, a Michelin Star in 2008.

After the restaurant closed, Chef Domenico Francone moved to London where he worked at the starred restaurant Heinz Beck's Apsleysstarred restaurant. A magical and exhausting moment at the same time, which gives birth to him with the desire to continue traveling, but which also triggers a strong nostalgia for returning to Tuscany, his land of adoption

And it was here that Banfi offered him a second opportunity: to become Executive Chef of La Taverna.

In addition to La Taverna, supported by a talented brigade in both the dining room and kitchen, chef Domenico Francone also reopens the other restaurant, La Sala dei Grappoli, leading him to conquest the Michelin Star in 2020. 






Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025
 
From June 16 to July 3, 2025, Annette and I spent time in wine country Italy, by car.
 
For an overview, go to:  Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025
 











 
Postings

Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025  

Lake Como 

At Villa Almana in Cernobbio at Lake Como - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Bolgheri 

Dinner at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Winery Tour and Tasting at Tenuta Argentiera, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Florentine Steak - Dario Cecchini Selection - for Lunch at Osteria Magona in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Running into Marco Balsimelli, Production Director, Ornellaia and Masseto, at Osteria Magona, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at La Macchiole, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Visiting Vigna Lodovico and Tasting Lodovico Antinori's Cult Wines Lodovico and Il Nicchio with his Assistant at Locanda dell' Aioncino - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Dinner at Locanda dell' Aioncino, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Tasting the Wines of Tenuta di Biserno and Staying at Relais di Biserno, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia): Barrel Cellar Tour and Tasting - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Bistecca alla Fiorentina for Lunch at Osteria Enoteca San Guido (Sassicaia), Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Ornellaia, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Dinner at La Pineta, with Chef/ Co-owner Daniele Zazzeri, a Michelin Starred Seafood Restaurant, at Marina die Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Grattamacco, a Benchmark Producer in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Lunch at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci/ Bolgheri/ Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
Bolgheri Turning into an Open Air Restaurant - "Cena in Strada" Dinner 2025: Al Fresco Dinner in the Streets of Bolgheri, Tuscany, with Hundreds of other Wine Lovers - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
Chianti Classico 
 
3 Days at Fattoria e Villa di Rignana in the Chianti Classico Region (Tuscany) - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
 
Returning to Badia a Coltibuono in Chianti Classico: 2025 and 2012 - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
 
At Isole et Olena Winery, a Major Force behind the Chianti Renaissance in the 1970s - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
At Fattoria Nittardi in Chianti Classico, Tuscany: Art and Wine - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
Sunset Dinner at Locanda Poggio al Sole (Hill in the Sun Inn) in Chianti Classico - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
(Brunello di) Montalcino and (Vino Nobile di) Montepulciano
 
 
 
At Argiano, one of the Oldest and most Prestigious Wineries in Montalcino - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

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