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More than just a winery, Castello Banfi Montalcino pairs beautiful stonehouse suites and haute cuisine with its 'Super Tuscan' wines for the ultimate wine experience.
Italy is home to countless old-world wineries, each producing spectacular wines that have garnered Italy the reputation as one of the top wine-producers in the world. In recent years however, a new generation of wine appreciators are beginning to look towards new-world wines for younger, crisper tastes and lighter, fresher flavours.
Castello Banfi Montalcino sits snugly in that category of new wineries that broke away from the traditions of older vineyards by casting its own net in the field of wine-making, and is reaping its rewards from embracing modernity. Only newly founded in 1978, its wines have fast become, in the short 36 years, one of the most popular wines in the world.
Guided by a simple principle – the dedication to a finer wine world – it continues to lead the way in modern wine-making by pioneering technology to replace chemistry for a more natural and organic result with its wines.
What’s more – it is also fast becoming a tourist destination of its own, boasting beautiful suites and top-notch haute cuisine to pair with its wines.
An Etruscan Legacy
Founded in 1978, Banfi was born of the will of Italian-American brothers, John and Harry Mariani. The pair sought to create a state-of-the-art winery that utilises the most advanced science and technology in the vineyards to produce premium wines. The bulk of Italian wines then are a result of centuries-old techniques, upkept more due to tradition than actual effectiveness.
They sought the help of Ezio Rivella, one of Italy’s foremost enologists to help them decipher different richness of soils and various privileges of microclimatic positions to find the perfect location for a new vineyard.
Finally, the highlands of Montalcino in Siena, Italy was decided upon where its high grounds over farmland coupled with surrounding mountains and hills presented the perfect terroir for the perfect wine.
Banfi Vineyards
The Castello Banfi estate extends to the south of Montalcino, to the borders of the Val d’Orcia, comprising a total of 7,100 acres of land.
Forty million years ago, the terra laid beneath the sea. Resultantly, the soil is rich in clay and limestone which regulates the growth and adds complexity to the grapes. Fossilised shells produce wines that boast an elegant and subtle character, unique to Southern Tuscany.
Amidst the vineyards, archeologists also recently uncovered a 5 million year old whale fossil that is completely intact. It is this influence of the prehistoric ocean bed that once covered the hills of Tuscany that today makes the grapes of Castello Banfi so expressive in character.
Following decades of clonal and enological research, the wines – the red variety in particular – have been given the "Super Tuscan” wine title.
Winery and Cellars
Banfi strives to use technology to perfect one of nature’s most wholesome fruits, as is apparent with its winery that has been state of the art since its inception. In the short 36 years since it’s been around, the winery has been reconfigured a total of 3 times to stay ahead of times.
Should you want to pay a visit, you can view the wine-making process first hand from the comfort of a raised wooden walkway.
Watch as hand-harvested grapes come in and get individually culled at the sorting table before being passed on to the next for a third selection of only the healthiest grapes. It is then fermented in Banfi’s own patented design oak staves that are capped with stainless steel for best hygiene and temperature control.
Technology is employed in almost every step of the wine-making process with Banfi. Machine powered rotating fermenters make for constant balance between skins, pulp and juice; tangential filtration purifies wines in nature’s own way; and wine is naturally stabilised using electro-dialysis. Nitrogen is used to reduce sulfites and modern pristine conditions eradicate histamines.
Il Borgo stonehouses
At Castello Banfi, guests touring the breathtaking wine country can look forward to charmingly elegant hospitality. Guest rooms and suites are built into Il Borgos (stonehouses) that can easily transport you back to the 18th century with its stonewalls and winding towers.
The exterior of the luxurious accomodations reflect the architectural beauty and heritage of a Tuscan past, while the interiors have been carefully structured to offer the comforts of a sophisticated home.
Quaint terraced walkways connect the different suites and rooms to the main building, handsomely decorated by Federico Forquet, one of Italy’s most eminent designers.
Things to do
The beauty of each Il Borgo is matched by the number of recreational activities available on grounds. A terraced garden and swimming pool overlooking the pastoral vineyards make for beautiful breakfast spots; a large pergola in the garden becomes a refuge for contemplation; and, given Castello Banfi’s sprawling grounds, walking, hiking and biking trails are abound.
Those looking to just soak in the natural beauty of the castle can relax in the privacy of the Castello Reading Room, be seated near a welcoming hearth, explore Tuscan books and enjoy backgammon and the comfortable historical furnishings that can be found no where else.
Cooking and wine glasses as well as visits to cultural sites, artisan studios and personal shopping tours can also be organised, as well as spa trips, tennis games, golf and cycling.
Tuscan cooking
Food is not short at the castle. The heart of the kitchen is presented in its Tuscan Taverna, a rustic-style restaurant located in the vaulted cellars of the property. The 18th century feel is enhanced with rustic wooden tables and chairs set under brick arches and tapestried walls.
A cut-out in the wall offers a peek into the former dungeons of the castello while you dine, which now functions as a cellar for special vintages that date back to more than half a century.
The man responsible for all the food at Castello Banfi is Chef Domenico Francone, the resident chef who can advise you on tasting menus or individual offerings to complement Castello Banfi wines. Here is where you can anticipate the best Tuscan food matched with the best Tuscan wine.
In kinder weather like spring through autumn for instance, the Tavern service comes with the option for alfresco dining, presenting the opportunity to enjoy Chef Domenico’s cooking under the warm Tuscan sun or in the breezy shades of Castello Banfi’s medieval walls.
Beyond Food
Castello Banfi is also home to an ‘Enoteca’, a shop where you can pick up a selection of wines, grappa, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey to bring home as souvenir. Shop your heart out through a variety of artisan pastas, biscotti, and local ceramics, wools, soaps, stemware and wine jewellery.
The Wine Bar will excite any wine enthusiast. Here you can sample a wide range of Castello Banfi’s estate offerings, accompanied by regional cured meats and cheeses and or course, its own olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Music also resounds through the walls of the castle. Concerts and ‘Jazz & Wine’ festivals are initiated by Castello Banfi during summer to spice up your stay.
For more information on the estate or if you have any booking enquiries, visit the official Castello Banfi website here.
(Photos: Castello Banfi Montalcino)
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