From 12 to 22 July, the event combining world stars and excellent wines returns

Here is the 2018 edition of Jazz&Wine in Montalcino: a parade of stars in the lands of Brunello

This is the twenty-first edition of the festival born from the collaboration between the Banfi winery, the Rubei family of the Alexanderplatz in Rome and the Municipality of Montalcino. 

A parade of stars in the land of Brunello: from 12 to 22 July, Jazz&Wine in Montalcino returns, the festival that combines great jazz music and quality wine in a truly unmissable programme.

In the marvellous village of Montalcino (SI), world stars will arrive to breathe new life into one of the longest-running and best-known festivals on the Italian music scene, which is the result of a collaboration between the well-known Banfi winery, the Rubei family of the Alexanderplatz in Rome and the Municipality of Montalcino.

Exciting preview Thursday 12 July with DAYNA STEPHENS GROUP starring in the extraordinary "Waiting for Jazz&Wine" concert that, as usual, will take place within the walls of Castello Banfi.

One of the most esteemed saxophonists and composers of the new generation, Dayna Stephens returns to Italy with a stellar band featuring Taylor Eigsti (piano), Michał Barański (d.bass) and Greg Hutchinson (drums) and offers an enthralling show, where acoustic textures merge with electronic ones.

Tuesday 17 July the festival opens at Castello Banfi with the fresh and captivating sound of 'contemporary jazz' by DIRTY SIX, the ensemble of the best of Italian jazz in recent years: Daniele Scannapieco (sax), Claudio Filippini (piano), Lorenzo Tucci (drums), Tommaso Scannapieco (bass), Gianfranco Campagnoli (trumpet) and Roberto Schiano (trombone).

Unmissable Wednesday 18 July the appointment with the Jazz & Wine Orchestra directed by Mario Corvini, which as every year kicks off the concerts in the Montalcino Fortress with a great international guest. The energetic big band of almost 20 elements created to celebrate the marriage between wine and jazz, which has made this festival famous throughout the world, will host Argentine saxophonist and composer Javier Girotto in a performance of tango jazz as we have never heard it before.

A bet won by the Jazz & Wine Orchestra: among the very first to believe in a project such as this, today the orchestra, which has won the SIAE award, is present at the best national festivals and has been the resident orchestra at the Montalcino festival since 2015.

Thursday 19 July here is the first of two great world-class events to which Jazz&Wine has accustomed us: on stage the elegance, charisma and energy of Billy Hart Quartet ft Joshua Redman.

Joshua Redman, one of the most acclaimed artists on the international jazz scene, considered among the most important saxophonists in the world, takes the stage alongside the trio of drummer Billy Hart, a legend of American jazz, creating a true all-star band, with Ethan Iverson on piano, and Ben Street on double bass. An appointment not to be missed.

In its desire to celebrate the best Italian jazz, the festival offers 'Around Gershwin', the show that on Friday 20 July sees on stage Giovanni Tommaso (c.bass), Rita Marcotulli (piano) two performers who boast collaborations with international stars accompanied by Alessandro Paternesi (drums). The trio will give life to an enthralling appointment with a repertoire dedicated to famous standards by George Gershwin and some original compositions by Giovanni Tommaso.

The festival continues on Saturday 21 July with 'In Motion Beat', the band that brings together musicians from five different countries and brings to Europe the best of the New York melting pot, the city where they have been living and working for years. The group's sound represents the heterogeneous cultural background of its musicians, who are Eleni Arapoglou (vocals), Erin Bentlage (vocals), Daniel Rotem (saxophone), Mike Bono (guitar), Christian Li (piano), Luca Alemanno (bass),Roberto Giaquinto (drums).

Grand finale on Sunday 22 July with the other big international star of this edition. At the Fortezza di Montalcino comes Christian McBride's New Jawn. McBride is one of the most influential and respected musicians in the contemporary music world. Winner of no fewer than five Grammy Awards, he has been involved in the recording of more than 300 albums of all genres. His double bass is the pillar on which the balances of countless bands have rested. With him Josh Evans(trumpet),Marcus Strickland(saxophone) andNasheet Waits(drums).

All Jazz&Wine in Montalcino performances will start at 9.45 pm.

Information, reservations and tickets

Proloco Montalcino, 0577 849331 / 348 8855416 - info@prolocomontalcino.com

Information

Banfi 0577 840111 - marketing@banfi.it (also bookings for Banfi Castle concerts)

Information and booking

Eventbrite

Cristina Mariani-May was appointed Woman of the Year 2018the prestigious award of the authoritative magazine The Drinks Business.

As every year, the winners were announced on 22 May at the London Wine Fair, at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in West London, in the presence of some of the most authoritative representatives of the wine industry.

Now in its 16th year, The Drinks Business Awards has become one of the most internationally recognised events and its awards among the most coveted in the alcoholic beverages sector, represented in all different areas, from retail to importers, marketing campaigns, logistics and design.

Cristina Mariani-May, representative of the third family generation, joined the company in 1993 and climbed through all the positions until becoming, earlier this year, CEO of Banfi Vintners, thus becoming one of the few female CEOs in the wine industry.

Mariani-May travels frequently, visiting many of the 86 countries where Banfi wines are present. A charismatic and engaging speaker, one of her main goals is to continue to develop the name of Banfi and the quality of its wines around the world. Married to Marshall, amidst her many daily commitments, she manages to find time to devote to her family and her three children, as well as to running marathons (she has participated in a dozen and recently completed a 50 km ultra marathon)!

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.

La storia di questi 40 anni di Banfi si può raccontare attraverso i quattro pilastri che l’hanno accompagnata lungo il suo cammino: il pionierismo, la ricerca, l’innovazione e la sostenibilità.

Tracciare la strada per primi, esplorare nuove frontiere, guardare al futuro pur restando ben ancorati alle tradizioni e alle origini, questo è lo spirito che ha sempre guidato le scelte di Banfi che, fin dall’inizio, ha creduto nelle enormi potenzialità vitivinicole del territorio di Montalcino e del suo vitigno simbolo, il sangiovese, promuovendo studi scientifici innovativi sui suoli e sul sangiovese, fino ad allora dal potenziale in parte sconosciuto. Altrettantopionieristichele innovazioni in cantina, così come lo sviluppo di un moderno concetto di accoglienza. Pionierismo, infine, anche nella formazione e nella divulgazione della cultura vitivinicola, punto inscindibile e distintivo del modello Banfi, che ha raggiunto il suo apice nei progetti dellaFondazione Banfi, in particolare conSanguis Jovis – Alta Scuola del Sangiovese.

Sapere, conoscenza, studio,ricercae sperimentazione, per conoscere e reinterpretare un territorio unico al mondo e per distinguere e valorizzare il modus operandi dell’azienda. Molti e variegati, infatti, sono stati gli studi portati avanti e raccolti nella pubblicazioneLa Ricerca dell’Eccellenza: la ricerca per Banfi rappresenta un concetto trasversale e in continuo divenire, dalla vigna alla cantina.

I risultati della ricerca devono, però, essere tradotti ininnovazioniconcrete, moderne e perfettamente integrate con l’ambiente in cui l’azienda opera. Innovazioni sia in vigna che in cantina, che hanno l’obiettivo di coniugare sapientemente tecnologie avanzate a sostegno della produzione di vini eleganti ed equilibrati, rispettosi del territorio di origine.

Banfi è custode di un territorio fantastico in cui opera ormai da 40 anni. L’impegno, certificato nell’annualeBilancio diSostenibilità, è quello di preservare e consegnare alle future generazioni un territorio ancora più sano, integro e vivibile dell’attuale.

"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 l’ambiente ed economicamente sostenibile. Operare in modo sostenibile deve migliorare il rapporto con l’ambiente senza, però, ostacolare la qualità della produzione”.

L’azienda festeggerà questo importante anniversario con una serie di iniziative in Italia e nel mondo. Si parte domani,15 maggio, con il primo evento ufficialeall’Accademia Chigiana di Sienadove, per la prima volta, la sede della nota istituzione musicale farà da cornice a un evento che celebra un compleanno speciale: sarà un viaggio emozionale attraverso i vini che hanno fatto la storia di Banfi con una degustazione a banchi d’assaggio. Nei prossimi mesi seguirannoRoma (5 giugno, Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi), Zurigo, Firenze, Milano, Mosca, Berlino, New York, Hong Kong, Londra.

It is with pleasure that we share with you some fantastic news.

In Friday's morning edition past CNBC Squawk Box Cristina Mariani-May recounts Banfi's innovations and history. The clip, entitled 'Banfi Vintners Innovate Wine Industry After Nearly 100 Years,' can be viewed on The Squawk Box (UVM: 26,089,258), and also on MSN Money (UVM: 10,033,031).

For downloading: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/02/23/banfi-vintners-innovates-wine-industry-after-nearly-100-years.html

Il primo Centro Studi permanente sul Sangiovese, nato a Montalcino un anno fa grazie alla Fondazione Banfi, con Sanguis Jovis – Alta Scuola del Sangiovese, entra nel vivo con la prima Winter School che si terrà dal 14 al 16 marzo. Il tema affrontato sarà di estrema attualità, Lo storytelling del Sangiovese nell’era digitale.

(Montalcino, 8 febbraio, 2018) – Nel 2017, grazie ad un’idea dellaFondazione Banfi, è nato a Montalcino il primo Centro Studi permanente sul Sangiovese: Sanguis Jovis – Alta Scuola del Sangiovese. L’obiettivo del Centro Studi è fare ricerca, diffondere la conoscenza, formare i tecnici e gli appassionati del vino.

Presidente di Sanguis Jovis è il professor Attilio Scienza, mentre il professor Alberto Mattiaccine è il Direttore Scientifico. Due figure di eccellenza nel panorama accademico italiano, ed una garanzia assoluta, quindi, sull’elevato contenuto scientifico dei corsi.

Dal 14 al 16 marzo 2018, presso O.CR.A. Officina Creativa dell’Abitare (Via Boldrini 4, Montalcino- Siena), con la prima edizione della Winter School, venti studenti selezionati con bando di ammissione (il bando scade il prossimo 16 febbraio) seguiranno un percorso formativo orientato al marketing e alla comunicazione del Sangiovese, il tema, infatti, sarà “Lo Storytelling del Sangiovese nell’era digitale”(https://fondazionebanfi.it/it/sanguis-jovis/formazione.php).

Il corso intende approfondire una delle caratteristiche principali dei mercati del vino contemporanei, vale a dire l’elevato contributo di valore che viene riconosciuto alla componente intangibile della bottiglia, fornendo le necessarie competenze nell’ambiente digitale social e con particolare riferimento alle produzioni del Sangiovese.

(Montalcino, 30 gennaio, 2017) – Il 29 gennaio, nella suggestiva cornice del Museo del Vetro e della Bottiglia di Castello Banfi, è stata presentata l’edizione limitata de La Pettegola. Per celebrare i cinque anni dalla prima vendemmia ed in occasione dei quaranta anni della cantina, il Vermentino di Banfi viene proposto in un’edizione limitata (solo ventimila bottiglie), in una versione completamente reinterpretata dall’illustratore Alessandro Baronciani.

L’artista, nato nel 1974 e originario del pesarese, lavora tra Pesaro e Milano. È illustratore, art director per le agenzie pubblicitarie e grafico, e disegna storie a fumetti. Lavora per diverse riviste e ha una striscia a fumetti sulla storia della musica su Rumore Magazine. Con Black Velvet ha pubblicato due romanzi a fumetti: Quando tutto diventò blu e Una storia a fumetti, un libro che raccoglie un esperimento editoriale durato cinque anni, durante i quali Alessandro ha scritto, disegnato, fotocopiato e spedito le sue storie per posta ai lettori abbonati che diventavano, attraverso le loro lettere, i personaggi della storia.

L’illustrazione avvolge completamente la bottiglia de La Pettegola, lasciando intatta l’etichetta originale.

Così Baronciani racconta il progetto: “Le fronde s’intrecciano fino a creare una verde coltre impenetrabile. È ora di stappare una bottiglia de La Pettegola, prima che le ombre si allunghino nel crepuscolo della sera. Al suono del tappo che scivola dal collo della bottiglia, i rami della siepe hanno un sussulto. Il viso candido di una ragazza compare tra le foglie. Il suo sguardo malizioso cerca qualcosa, qualcuno. Nessuno lo sa. Verso il vino nel calice e le note di frutta bianca sono la promessa del suo gusto fresco e pieno. A ogni sorso la ragazza acquista sempre più fascino e carisma. Il bicchiere si vuota e, così come era apparsa, La Pettegola svanisce, lasciando solo il ricordo persistente di un’emozione difficile da dimenticare”.

Born in Bleggio Superiore, Trento, in the north of Italy, Rudy graduated in 1981 from the Istituto Agrario di San Michele all'Adige, one of the world's leading schools of oenology. In 1983, he 'went down south', as he liked to say with Italian pride, for an internship experience at the fledgling Banfi estate in Montalcino. Having fallen in love with the territory and the company, he decided to stay, and in 1999, he was appointed Director Oenologist, a position previously held by his mentor Ezio Rivella. At the time of his death, Buratti supervised nine managers, as well as fifty workers assigned to various tasks in the cellar, happily maintaining direct relations with the Mariani family, owners of Castello Banfi.

We would like to share with all of you the farewell to Rudy made yesterday by Cristina Mariani-May during the funeral. "The untimely death of our dear friend and colleague Rudy is a huge loss for the entire wine world. That world of wine that Rudy loved until his final hours and to which he dedicated 35 years of his life with passion, humility and courage. The first to enter the cellar, the last to leave, only after checking that every single detail was in place, that each wine was evolving in the best possible way and that each member of his team was working with the same passion, accuracy and punctuality. He worked like this every day, uninterruptedly until his last day, a week ago when, already sorely tried by his illness, he left his beloved cellar and his people, his second family, for the last time. Rudy leaves a huge void in all of us, an unbridgeable void for his wife Ursula and for Alexandra and Carlotta, his young and beloved daughters. But he also leaves so much hope in those who remain and so many beautiful and indelible memories. Hello Rudy, it has been an honour to have you by our side for all these years. We will remember you in every wine we drink, in every goblet we raise to the sky and in all the battles we win together. Thank you."

The young oenological team that Buratti has had the opportunity to grow, will follow his teachings, continuing to work with the same passion for research and for this territory, where Rudy arrived when he was only 22 years old. Rudy had the opportunity to experience the energy of the beginning of Banfi's history, from the early 1980s, when the most important research projects began, which made Banfi grow into what it is today. In all these years, since 1999, when he became oenologist director, he has transferred all his knowledge to his team, day after day, working side by side and passing on to them the sense of humility, courage, love of experimentation and foresight that have always distinguished him.

The young oenological team will continue to work and follow his path, with the same spirit that Rudy has shown him over many years.

The world of wine, Castello Banfi - Il Borgo, the wine shop, the Banfi restaurants in the prestigious magazine 'Ville e Giardini'.

"Close your eyes, imagine yourself a few months from now, when the great cold will have passed and a shy spring will already be peeping around you. Add to that a few days away from work and stress, to relax in a celebrated place on the Italian landscape and in a residence of absolute charm. We are at Castello Banfi in the Montalcino area of Tuscany: a paradise for the eyes, the palate and the mind."

Read the full article here.

Discover more

The list published by WineEnthusiast includes 10 destinations around the world, from Australia to the United States (California and Colorado) and then France, China, Austria, South Africa, Spain, Uruguay and Tuscany with the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the section dedicated to Tuscany, La Taverna Banfi is listed among the best restaurants in which to dine and Castello Banfi among the best wineries where to stop for a tasting.

Per il terzo anno consecutivo Banfi è stata insignita del Ecofriendly Award 2018.

Il premio nasce dalla collaborazione di Vinibuoni d’Italia con Amorim Cork Italia, Repower e Verallia.

I presupposti alla base della nascita del premio sono quelli di comprendere la tipologia e l’entità dei problemi che riguardano la tutela dell’ambiente, attivare misure per minimizzare l’impatto delle attività imprenditoriali e ridurre i costi socio-economici di ricaduta, aiutando così a promuovere nuove responsabilità verso i consumatori e contribuendo ad individuare le opportunità per innovare e risparmiare.