Banfi - Ratings & Reviews - Press Releases
Banfi for a better wine world
Scroll down
2008 29 August

Hail Sweeps Through Brunello Castello Banfi Spared Commences 2008 Harvest

(Montalcino, August 29) – Though a mid-August hail storm swept through a strip of the Brunello zone and devastated the vineyards of a handful of neighboring producers, the region’s leading vineyard estate, Castello Banfi, reported only minor damage and began its 2008 harvest.

 

            “We share the frustration and sympathize with the loss suffered by our neighbors” said Castello Banfi’s Cristina Mariani-May.  “The warming climate has intensified August thunderstorms with larger hail and fierce winds.  The storm was concentrated in the southwesternmost part of the zone, taking a path that lead it from Monte Amiata to Sant’Angelo in Colle and then back to Castelnuovo del Abate near the abbey of Sant’Antimo.  About 85 acres of our vineyards were damaged while another 60 were marginally touched, leaving our most prized vineyards of Sangiovese for Brunello and varietals for our Super Tuscan cuvees unscathed.  A large portion of our plum crop, though, was affected.”

            The estate includes 2,600 acres of vineyards over 7,100 acres planted with historic varietals matched to microclimate and soil.  Another third of the estate is dedicated to fruit groves and wheat fields, while the balance is left to natural woodland and a truffle forest.

            “Twelve days after the storm, we began harvesting our vineyards of Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay,” noted Ms. Mariani-May.  “The quality is fine and the climatic conditions are now favorable. Of course, as we were reminded on August 15, the weather can turn and leave you unprotected; but, 2008 should be excellent, with healthy grapes balanced by ideal acidity, tannins and concentration of fruit flavor.  Moderate rainfalls through the course of the season provided adequate stress for the vines to bear quality fruit.”

            “Yield is expected about the same or slightly more than last year.  Harvest of our noble reds, including Merlot and Syrah, will start in a fortnight, and be followed by Sangiovese and Cabernet later in the fall.” 

            Harvest begins next week at Banfi’s Piedmont estate, Vigne Regale, with Brachetto d’Acqui grapes from the single vineyard La Rosa for Banfi’s popular Rosa Regale.

Castello Banfi is internationally acclaimed for its clonal research to improve upon the region’s historical Brunello di Montalcino, and making premier quality wines that are low in sulfites and histamines.  It was the first wine estate in the world to be internationally recognized for exceptional environmental, ethical and social responsibility (ISO 14001 and SA8000) as well as customer satisfaction (ISO 9001:2000).  A regional beacon for hospitality, in addition to its two restaurants -- the informal “Castello Banfi – La Taverna” and the fine dining “Castello Banfi – Il Ristorante,” the only winery-based restaurant in Italy to be awarded a Michelin star -- Castello Banfi boasts a glass museum, enoteca, balsamic cellars and daily winery tours for visitors to the region.  The newest jewel in this hospitality crown is Castello Banfi – Il Borgo, 14 luxury rooms and suites featuring swimming pool, pergola-covered cloister garden, breakfast nook, and reading room within the castle keep.  Signature wines of Castello Banfi include the single-vineyard reserve Poggio all’Oro and unfiltered cru Poggio alle Mura Brunellos, proprietary cuvées ExcelsuS, SummuS and Cum Laude, and single-vineyard varietal wines including Tavernelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Colvecchio Syrah and San Angelo Pinot Grigio. 

PRIVACY POLICY

Banfi S.r.l. places fundamental importance on your personal privacy. Banfi S.r.l. takes all steps to protect the personal information of the users. Optimal service is possible when we can assure that the user is aware of and understands the norms and criteria adopted for our privacy policy. The criteria used by Banfi S.r.l. regarding personal information are as follows:
 
Why personal information is collected?
Banfi S.r.l. gathers and uses personal information of the users to guarantee optimal service and to facilitate access to a broad range of products and services. Furthermore, the personal information is used to keep every user updated on new offerings and other information that Banfi S.r.l. believe may be useful to the user. Furthermore, personal information could be used to contact the user to invite the user to participate in eventual market research that allows us to both evaluate the level of user satisfaction and to develop superior products.
 
How personal information is collected
Information about our users is collected in different ways. For example, information that can be used to contact the user can be requested when that person writes to Banfi S.r.l., telephones to ask about a service, or participates in an online poll. Furthermore, when a person subscribes to the internet service of Banfi S.r.l. or to the mailing list, they provide information that is then collected and filed within a secure database.
 
When personal information is revealed
It can become necessary to reveal personal data of the client by law or in the course of legal proceedings or other situations in the public interest.
 
How personal information is protected
Banfi S.r.l. protects the security of information sent by people using physical, electronic and managerial methods. Banfi S.r.l. invites its users to take the necessary steps to protect their personal data on the Internet. Banfi S.r.l. suggests that users often change their password, using a combination of letters and numbers, and relying solely on secure browsers.

Access to personal information
The user can, at any time, access information regarding themselves. To review and update personal information that Banfi S.r.l. has gathered, please contact banfi@banfi.it.
 
Collection of personal information
It is possible to navigate the websites of Banfi S.r.l. anonymously. In any case, the browser automatically comunicates the type of computer and operating system used.

Like many other websites, Banfi S.r.l. uses "cookie" technology. The first time a user connects to the site, their cookies identify the browser with a random and unique number. The cookies used do not reveal any information of a personal nature to the user, including first names that could be used to welcome the user on their next visit. The cookies help us understand what part of the website the users visit more frequently, which are the paths used by the clients, and how long they remain connected. The cookies are used to study the traffic patterns of the Banfi S.r.l. websites in order to improve their functionality.