Castello Banfi
Castello Banfi
(Castello) Banfi was created in 1978 by the Italian American brothers, John, and Harry Mariani, when they acquired the Castello di Poggio alle Mura and surrounding vineyards to the southwest of Montalcino near Sant’Angelo Scalo. The aim was to simply produce the best Brunello di Montalcino possible from their carefully nurtured vineyards and state-of-the-art winery. As a result, the Mariani’s hired one of the greatest Italian winemakers of the time, Ezio Rivella, to turn their dream into reality. Almost half a century later, the estate is still family owned, now in the capable hands of the third generation with Cristina Mariani-May (pictured), as well as her cousin; James Mariani. Cristina became President and CEO in 2018, yet has been involved with the winery since the early 1990s, where from the beginning her mantra has always been `in the pursuit of excellence` driving Banfi to become one of the largest, and most prolific producers in Montalcino.
