It was 1978 when John and Harry Mariani bought the first land in Montalcino and planted the first Sangiovese vines. Since then, forty years have passed of extraordinary passion, of continuous and exciting challenges, of unrepeatable successes. An important journey for Banfi, which, in just four decades, has made a wonderful history, building a brand that is known throughout the world and inextricably linked to the development of Montalcino and its territory.
In recent years, the love for Tuscany has brought Banfi closer to new territories, among the region's most vocated, such as Bolgheri, Maremma, Chianti and Chianti Classico. Much older, however, is the link with Piedmont, which dates back to the same years as Banfi's foundation in Montalcino.
And after 40 years, Cristina Mariani-May, the third family generation, coordinates the company's activities with the same love, passion and dedication to produce quality wines.
The story of these 40 years of Banfi can be told through the four pillars that have accompanied it along its journey: pioneering spirit, research, innovation and sustainability.
Tracing the path first, exploring new frontiers, looking to the future while remaining firmly anchored to traditions and origins, this is the spirit that has always guided the choices of Banfi, which, from the very beginning, has believed in the enormous viticultural potential of the Montalcino territory and its symbolic vine, Sangiovese, promoting innovative scientific studies on soils and Sangiovese, hitherto with a hitherto unknown potential. Equally pioneering were the innovations in the cellar, as well as the development of a modern concept of hospitality. Pioneering, finally, also in the training and dissemination of wine culture, an inseparable and distinctive point of the Banfi model, which has reached its zenith in the projects of the Banfi Foundation, in particular withSanguis Jovis - Alta Scuola del Sangiovese.
Knowledge, study, research and experimentation, to get to know and reinterpret a unique territory and to distinguish and enhance the company's modus operandi. Many and varied, in fact, have been the studies carried out and collected in the publicationLa Ricerca dell'Eccellenza (The Search for Excellence): research for Banfi represents a transversal and constantly evolving concept, from the vineyard to the cellar.
The results of research must, however, be translated 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 skilfully combine advanced technologies to support the production of elegant and balanced wines that respect the territory of origin.
Banfi is the custodian of a fantastic territory in which it has been operating for 40 years. Its commitment, certified in the annual Sustainability Report, is to preserve and pass on to future generations an area that is even healthier, intact and liveable than the present one.
"As a company whose product comes from the earth, we know that our success goes hand in hand with respect for the environment," says Cristina Mariani-May, "Our sustainable operations 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 manner must improve the relationship with the environment without, however, hindering the quality of production'.
The company will celebrate this important anniversary with a series of initiatives in Italy and around the world. It starts tomorrow, 15 May, with the first official event at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena where, for the first time, the headquarters of the famous musical institution will be the setting for an event celebrating a special birthday: it will be an emotional journey through the wines that have made Banfi's history with a tasting at a tasting desk. This will be followed in the coming months by Rome (5 June, Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi), Zurich, Florence, Milan, Moscow, Berlin, New York, Hong Kong and London.
