It was 1978 when John and Harry Mariani acquired the first lands in Montalcino and planted the first Sangiovese vine. Since then, forty years of extraordinary passion, of ongoing and compelling challenges, of unrepeatable success have passed. An important path for Banfi who, in just four decades, has achieved a beautiful story by creating a brand known throughout the world and linked to the growth of Montalcino and its territory.
In recent years, the love for Tuscany has led Banfi to new territories, among the most suitable in the region, such as Bolgheri, Maremma, Chianti and Chianti Classico. The bond with Piedmont, which dates back to the same years as the foundation of Banfi in Montalcino, is much older.
And after 40 years Cristina Mariani-May, the third generation of the family and CEO, coordinates the activities of the company with the same love, passion, and dedication, to produce quality wines.
The history of these 40 years of Banfi can be told through the four pillars that have accompanied it along its path: pioneering, research, innovation and sustainability.
Tracing the path first, exploring new frontiers, looking to the future while remaining firmly anchored in traditions and origins, this is the spirit that has always inspired the decisions of Banfi that, since the beginning, has believed in the enormous winemaking potential of the territory of Montalcino and its symbolic grape, Sangiovese, promoting innovative scientific studies on soils and Sangiovese, which until then had been partly unknown. Also pioneering were the innovations in the cellar, as well as the development of a modern concept of hospitality. Pioneering, finally, also in the formation and dissemination of wine culture, an inseparable and distinctive point of the Banfi tradition, which has reached its peak in the projects of the Banfi Foundation, in particular with Sanguis Jovis - Alta Scuola del Sangiovese.
Knowledge, study, research and experimentation, with the aim of discovering and defining a unique territory in the world and to distinguish and enhance the business of the company. In fact, many and varied studies have been carried out and collected in the publication The Pursuit of Excellence: for Banfi, research represents a cross-cutting and ever-changing concept, from the vineyard to the cellar.
However, the results of the research must be transformed into concrete, modern innovations that are perfectly integrated with the environment in which the company operates. Innovations both in the vineyard and in the cellar, which aim to skillfully combine advanced technologies to support the production of elegant and balanced wines, respecting the territory of origin.
Banfi is the guardian of a fantastic territory in which it has been operating for 40 years. The commitment, certified in the annual Sustainability Report is to preserve and deliver to future generations a territory even healthier, more intact and livable than the current.
"As a company whose product comes from the land, we know that our success is accompanied also by respect for the environment," says Cristina Mariani-May, "Our work in a sustainable way must continue to evolve, taking into account the fact that every action must be socially fair, safe for the environment and economically sustainable. Operating in a sustainable way must improve the relationship with the environment without, however, hindering the quality of production.”
The company is celebrating this important anniversary with a series of initiatives in Italy and around the world. The first official event was in Siena, followed by Rome, Strevi (home of the Piedmontese winery of Banfi), After the summer break, the celebrations for the anniversary continue: Florence, followed by Zurich, Berlin, Moscow, Milan, Naples, Shanghai, Hong Kong and finally New York.
The events are an emotional journey through the wines that have made the history of Banfi.