Banfi Vineyards Tuscany
Montalcino is one of our favorite places in all of Tuscany. The rolling hills against the mountains in the distant are breathtaking. This is the rich earth that produces Brunello Montalcino wines. This part of Tuscany has always been our favorite, not only for the rolling green hills leading up to the majestic mountains, but for the wine. The U.S. specifically Napa Valley California, has opened the doors to wine tasing here in this area. In the 90s you could go to various vineyards in California and get “free” wine tasting. We then thought, well, let’s try this in Tuscany. We were very disappointed at the limited number of vineyards that opened their doors to travelers. But today, there are enoteca’s, in the towns where you can sample and buy wine from Montalcino to Chianti and beyond.
Banfi was founded in 1978 thanks to the will of the Italian-American brothers, John and Harry Mariani. From the beginning, the goal of the borthers was to create a state-of-the-art winery, which combined them out advanced science in the industry in Italy. They produced premium wines, but of course why not, the fervent soil, climate and love would lend itself to none other than the finest!
The Banfi estate extends to the south of Montalcino, to the borders of the Val d’Orcia. Of the 7,100 acres of land, about one third is under vine in a constellation of single vineyards, the remainder occupied by olive groves, fruit trees (mainly plums), woods and scrub.
As a project dedicated to highlight the prized denominations oflower Piedmont, Banfi Piedmont represents the perfect unionbetween the centuries-old sparkling
wine tradition and a winemaking maturity experienced in the cellars. The property extends between the towns of Novi Ligure and Acqui Terme, over an area of 124 acres, of which 114 are under vine.
Its dedication to Tuscany has recently brought Banfi to new territories, among the most evocative of the region: Bolgheri, where a small estate based on the legend of the Etruscans produces a Bolgheri DOC; the Maremma, a territory dedicated to the production of Vermentino; and Chianti, most prized for the birth of Chianti Classico.
See their site at the link below you can read for yourself and see the wonderful photos.
One of our favorite is Catello Banfi in Montalcino. At Banfi If you’re into history you will have to stop by here. The oldest still existing bottles of Brunello, it is expensive but worth the experience, tasting and dinner as well!