8-10 June 2012 - Castello Banfi official sponsor of Tuscan Rewind 2012

(Montalcino, 22 May 2012) - Montalcino's roads, made legendary in the 1980s by the World Rally Championship, will once again be the protagonists of the Tuscan Rewindthe attractive dirt track race for historic cars, now in its third year.

Castello Banfi official sponsor of Tuscan Rewind 2012

The race, whose protagonists will include some of the greatest rally champions of yesterday and today, will be flanked by a number of initiatives linked to special anniversaries. Among these is the parade reserved for the 25th anniversary celebration of the 'queen' Lancia Delta, in which all Delta owners will be able to parade, as well as some of the champions who have made it legendary in rallies.

Castello Banfi, which has been following Tuscan Rewind since the first edition, this year, in addition to the Trophy - with the estate's great wines as prizes - is offering the winner of the Historic category a weekend stay in the splendid Banfi Castle-Il Borgo.

Castello Banfi offers a new Chianti Classico DOCG: Fonte alla Selva

Castello Banfi was founded in 1978, at the behest of the Mariani family, who decided to develop a centre of excellence in Montalcino for the production of quality wines, indissolubly linking Banfi to this territory and its development.

Located in the south-west of the municipality of MontalcinoThe estate occupies 2,830 hectares, of which about 800 are planted with specialised vineyards, testifying to a unique heritage and experience.

A point of reference for the production of Brunello di Montalcino, Castello Banfi has also always been a producer of one of the most historic and prized Tuscan appellations, that of Chianti Classico DOCG.

And today, with the management of around forty hectares of specialised vineyards in the heart of this marvellous territory, in Castellina in Chianti, it proposes a new Chianti Classico DOCG: Fonte alla Selva.

Chianti Classico DOCG: Fonte alla Selva

Banfi, faithful to its quality values as well as its extraordinary attention to the territory in which it operates, presented the first vintage of Fonte alla Selva 2010 during the last Vinitaly. With its broad, well-balanced structure and excellent persistence, the new label fully reflects the elegance and personality that distinguish the Banfi Chianti family.

The Fonte alla Selva is only available for the traditional channel, and the family will be completed next year with the release of the Riserva.

28 March 2012 - Vina Emiliana named 'Green Company of the Year

The award, presented by the British magazine The Drink Business, is the world's highest accolade given to companies that are committed to the environment.

Sustainability and 'green' consciousness are a constantly growing reality in the world and in Chile. This time, it is Viña Emiliana that has been nominated as the 'greenest company of the year' during the 'Green Award 2012' competition, organised by the prestigious British magazine The Drink Business.

This is the most important award category in the wine and spirits industry. The award is presented to the company that has demonstrated - in the best possible way - its commitment to the environment, its employees, and the community, and that has made significant progress in its business practices in order to increase its 'ecological footprint'.

To become 100% organic and a producer of high quality wines - and one of the largest in the world - the Chilean company's team included high-level projects, from energy-saving programmes to Corporate Social Responsibility activities. 

"When we embarked on this project more than ten years ago, we were innovators and visionaries, and today we are realising that being organic and sustainable at 100% from the social to the environmental to the economic perspectives is possible. We are tremendously proud to get this award and it motivates us to continue our work in the same direction,' says José Guilisanti, General Manager of Viña Emiliana.

In addition to this important award, Viña Emiliana also won the 'Sustainability' award, leaving behind companies from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Portugal, and many other countries. This award is given to the winery that has made the greatest efforts to achieve better and more efficient sustainable procedures. 

The Green Awards 2012 ceremony took place on Monday 26 March at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel. Emiliana sales director Christian Rodriguez accepted the award for his company. What began as a dream more than ten years ago is now incorporated into a portfolio of high quality wines that have received major national and international awards: a winery that adapts to the changes needed in the consumer world.

Brunello Harvest 2011: For Castello Banfi, selection is the key to success

Cristina Mariani-May, proprietaria della rinomata cantina Castello Banfi di Montalcino, si sta preparando con il suo team di enologi per una delle vendemmie di Brunello di Montalcino più interessanti e impegnative degli ultimi anni.

“Le variazioni meteorologiche dei mesi passati ci hanno regalato condizioni climatiche inaspettate” dice Cristina Mariani-May. “La breve, ma intensa, ondata di caldo ha avuto come effetto una riduzione della produzione: adesso è quindi necessario prestare particolari attenzioni e cure sia in vigna che in cantina. Le continue ricerche effettuate ed il nostro perseverare  alla ricerca dell’eccellenza, ci permettono di poter affrontare condizioni avverse, pur mantenendo altissimi standard qualitativi, sia per i nostri Brunelli di Montalcino che per i SuperTuscans”.

Brunello Harvest 2011: For Castello Banfi, selection is the key to success

L’annata 2011 è iniziata tardi, con una primavera fresca e abbondanti piogge. Le temperature al di sotto delle medie stagionali, sono continuate fino a luglio, ma a partire da metà agosto e fino all’inizio di settembre, gli effetti dell’anticiclone sopra il continente africano, hanno portato le temperature ben al di sopra dei 38 gradi centigradi. Le vigne hanno avuto a disposizione sufficienti risorse idriche, evitando lo stress. Tuttavia, in quei vigneti dove le uve sono rimaste più esposte, il sole a picco ha letteralmente ustionato i chicchi.

Queste condizioni sono radicalmente differenti dal grande caldo del 2003, ed anche dal clima tendenzialmente freddo del 2002: quest’annata assomiglia di più alla vendemmia del 2000, che è iniziata in modo analogo con clima generalmente più fresco seguito poi da un momentaneo, ma intenso, innalzamento delle temperature durante agosto.

“Abbiamo finito  la vendemmia dei bianchi la scorsa settimana, con una riduzione improvvisa della resa dal 30% fino al 40%”, ha detto Cristina Mariani-May. “Questa settimana abbiamo iniziato la vendemmia di Merlot e Syrah: la chiave è stata la raccolta a mano delle uve, e questo metodo sarà ancor più vitale nelle prossime settimane, nel momento in cui inizieremo la raccolta del sensibile Sangiovese. Di fronte ad una buona qualità delle uve in genere, dobbiamo selezionare con cura le uve nei vigneti, e poi controllarle nuovamente quando arrivano in cantina”.

Uve raccolte a mano

Sin dalla nascita di Castello Banfi nel 1978, le uve dei vigneti per la produzione dei vini più importanti, sono state sempre raccolte a mano. Nel 2007, tuttavia, è stato aggiunto un doppio triage nella scelta delle uve in cantina: un primo, generale controllo manuale dei grappoli che arrivano in cantina, seguito da una selezione individuale degli acini diraspati, e portata poi a termine con un ulteriore screening ottico, che effettua test di peso e densità. Le uve selezionate sono poi vinificate separatamente nei fermentini individuali Horizon, tini compositi in acciaio inossidabile e rovere francese, sviluppati e brevettati da Castello Banfi con l’obiettivo di ottenere il meglio da entrambi i materiali utilizzati. Castello Banfi, in collaborazione con le università di Pisa e di Milano, ha portato avanti una ricerca  finalizzata ad isolare una selezione di eccellenti cloni di Sangiovese  in grado di produrre un Brunello di Montalcino eccezionale.

“Avremmo preferito avere condizioni atmosferiche favorevoli come nel 2001, 2004, 2007 e 2009”, ha dichiarato Cristina Mariani-May “ma decenni di ricerche ci hanno preparati ad affrontare i capricci della natura, ed il nostro team sa come comportarsi in vendemmie come queste”.

Castello Banfi, cantina della famiglia Mariani, è stata insignita per 12 volte Miglior Cantina Italiana al Vinitaly per aver saputo coniugare, nei trenta anni della sua storia, imprenditorialità, alta qualità, innovazione tecnologica e tradizione, sempre nel massimo rispetto del territorio. Prima cantina ad ottenere le certificazioni di Responsabilità Etica, Sociale ed Ambientale (ISO 14001 e SA 8000) e di Qualità dei Prodotti e dei Servizi e Rispetto del Cliente (ISO 9001:2000). Il castello medievale che domina i vigneti è divenuto un punto chiave dell’ospitalità toscana con wine bar enoteca, il ristorante La Taverna, Il Borgo boutique hotel ed il museo del Vetro.

Castello banfi La Taverna awarded the 2011 Certificate of Excellence by Wine Spectator

Once again The Tavern of Castello Banfi is the only winery restaurant in Italy to be awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Wine Spectator magazine.

The prize for the best wine list is awarded to those restaurants that present attractive wine selections that go well with their cuisine, and therefore capture the attention of wine lovers and enthusiasts.

To qualify for the award, the wine list must provide complete and accurate information, including all vintages and appellations, even for wines offered by the glass. In addition to this, great consideration is given to the presentation of the list, while the presence of the producer's name and correct spelling are basic requirements.

Wine Spectator, considered one of the most authoritative international trade magazines, recognises this award of excellence to less than 3,000 restaurants worldwide.

La Taverna awarded by Wine Spectator

The Taverna Banfi offers its services to both visitors passing through and guests of Castello Banfi - Il Borgo, the hotel structure adjacent to the castle that offers 14 luxurious rooms and suites. For information and reservations, please contact: reservation@banfi.it

Tripadvisor awards Castello Banfi - il Borgo with the 2011 Certificate of Excellence

Tripadvisorthe world's most followed and accredited travel review site, awarded Castello Banfi - il Borgo the prestigious 'Certificate of Excellence 2011'.

Tripadvisor rewards Castello Banfi

Recognition is awarded to accommodation facilities, the restaurants and tourist attractions that received the best and most numerous reviews from travellers on the popular travel portal.

Christine Petersen, President of TripAdvisor for Business, says: "TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence offers well-deserved recognition to those businesses around the world that offer exceptional service in tourism. We would like to congratulate all establishments that enable TripAdvisor travellers to have a fantastic experience wherever they are in the world."

14th edition Jazz & Wine in Montalcino

Rea, Pieranunzi, Elio, Servillo, Girotto, and many other big names to celebrate jazz and great wine. And in a European 'exclusive', the 'Tribute to Michael Brecker'.

The fourteenth edition of Jazz & Wine in Montalcino, one of the longest-running events on the Italian music scene, the result of the collaboration between Castello Banfi, the well-known Montalcino winery, the cultural association Jazz & Image of Rome and the Municipality of Montalcino, this year presents a programme of absolute prestige, with some real gems to satisfy even the most refined palates.

14th edition Jazz & Wine in Montalcino: the programme

Wednesday 13 July the opening concert, to be held within the evocative walls of Castello Banfi and featuring Emanuele Basentini, one of the most important guitarists on the international jazz scene, with hisPure Jazz Quartet. From 14 July the festival will move, as tradition has it, to the splendid 14th-century fortress of Montalcino with the original meeting of Jazz and World Music by the Salerno Trio & Solis String Quartet, seven elements including violins, violas and cello to accompany the classic rhythmic base of jazz. Friday 15 get ready for an absolutely unmissable project, a European exclusive for Jazz & Wine; the Tribute to Michael Brecker with musicians of the calibre of Joe Calderazzo, Alex Sipiagin, Adam Rogers, Boris Kozlov and Adam Nussbaum.

To follow on Saturday 16 JulyBy popular demand, the Piano Solo of the great Danilo Rea, one of the most elegant and eclectic protagonists of the jazz scene and beyond, returns. To conclude the first week of the festival in an extraordinary way, the 17 July, the Latin sounds of the Girotto-Servillo-Mangalavite trio, an unmissable encounter between jazz and auteur music.

Thursday 21 Julythe quartet led by Lello Panico and Dario Deidda, which will feature the extraordinary participation of harmonica player and vocalist Tollak. To follow, the 22 July, will be another great Italian pianist, Enrico Pieranunzi in duo with Bill Smith's electric clarinet, in Montalcino for one of his very rare Italian performances. Saturday 23 July the best of Bob Dylan's repertoire interpreted by one of jazz's most biting voices, Cinzia Tedesco in the highly anticipated Like Bob Dylan event. The 24 July With the original encounter between the voice of the great and multifaceted Elio accompanied on piano by Roberto Prosseda, one of the most established and talented performers on the international music scene, the extraordinary 2011 edition of the Jazz & Wine festival comes to a close.

For the fourteenth consecutive year, two such intimate and intense pleasures, jazz music and great quality wine, are celebrating their exciting encounter in Montalcino, the symbolic town of Brunello, with increasing success.

For information contact:

Pro-Loco Montalcino - tel. 0577 849331 - Email: info@prolocomontalcino.it

Marketing Banfi - tel. 0577 840 111 - Email: marketing@banfi.it

Concerts: 9.45 p.m. - tickets 12.00/15.00 euro - presale c/o Proloco Montalcino

The historic walls of Castello Banfi host the classical guitar of Emmanuel Rossfeider

The 6 July 2011 at 9 p.m. Castello Banfi will host Melodia del Vino, the international classical music festival in its first Italian edition, with a guitar concert by Maestro Emmanuel Rossfelder.

Castello Banfi hosts Emmanuel Rossfelder

The project originated in Bordeaux where, since 2002, the entire region has been buzzing with wine lovers who, while tasting the area's best labels, attend various concerts as part of the Grands Crus Musicaux. The format, successfully experimented in the Bordeaux region, has also been transferred this year to Tuscany, where some of the region's most renowned quality wine producers will host performances by as many famous artists.

Emmanuel Rossfelder's 'musical colour' all stems from his guitar, which he began playing at the age of 14. A precocious talent, so much so that the musician received his first award when he was only 18, an accolade that was later followed by international podiums: from 1st Prize at the Guitar Masters in Paris at Pierre Salvy Special Grand Prizeissued by the French Minister of Culture. Emmanuel Rossfelder's first CD arrived in 2000, with the release of 'Danses Latines', followed by 'Découverte Classica' in 2001. His US tour in 2003 was a triumph: over 2500 spectators at dates in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Rossfelder's latest musical endeavour came in 2011, with the release of the CD 'La Guitare Lyrique' .

In the fifth stage of the "Melodia del vino" festival, the transalpine guitarist, highly appreciated by critics at an international level and winner of numerous prizes including the Prize at the Guitar Masters in Paris, the Pierre Salvy Special Grand Prize, and the Stotsenberg International Prize (USA), will perform in the evocative Tuscan setting of Poggio alle Mura in a live show that aims to be a combination of art, sound and taste. His US tour in 2003 brought him popularity overseas. This year, with the release of his new CD 'La Guitare Lyrique', the skilful musician is grappling with arrangements of challenging classical pieces by composers such as Shubert, Verdi and Mozart.

During the evening, spectators will be able to taste the Metodo Classico Banfi Brut, a historic label produced by Piedmontese sister company Vigne Regali, and the prestigious Rosso di Montalcino Castello Banfi 2009.

For information and purchase of tickets, please visit www.vivaticket.it.

Castello Banfi - the Borgo and Divino Tuscany

Castello Banfi, l’azienda toscana leader nella produzione vitivinicola di alta qualità, insieme a Divino Tuscany propone un’esclusiva esperienza toscana.

Divino Tuscany sarà un evento celebrativo dell’eccellenza vinicola della regione. La prima edizione, che si terrà a Firenze dal 2 al 5 giugno 2011, vedrà la partecipazione dei migliori produttori toscani che in questa occasione avranno l’opportunità di promuovere insieme, demistificandoli, i vini più importanti delle loro produzioni.

“Nel corso di queste quattro straordinarie giornate, i partecipanti avranno la possibilità di degustare grandissimi vini, partecipare a interessanti seminari, eccezionali cene e spettacoli di intrattenimento; tutte le attività di Divino Tuscany sono state ideate pensando all’eccellenza, dalla selezione dei vini alle locations.” DichiaraJames Suckling, ex Redattore Capo e Responsabile Europeo di Wine Spectator.

Divino Tuscany

L’evento potrà prolungarsi con un soggiorno esclusivo, della durata di due notti, a Castello Banfi – Il Borgo,  il lussuoso hotel situato all’ombra delle mura medievali di Castello Banfi. Gli ospiti di Divino Tuscany potranno godere di una cena tipica toscana, con menù degustazione di cinque portate abbinate ad altrettanti vini, presso la “Taverna Banfi". '

Durante il soggiorno avranno, inoltre, la possibilità di effettuare una visita guidata alla cantina, arricchita da una straordinaria degustazione “da botte” condotta direttamente dall’enologo di Castello Banfi. Il soggiorno prevede anche un tour esclusivo della proprietà, in cui gli ospiti potranno ammirare la costellazione dei vigneti specializzati dai quali si producono le migliori etichette di Castello Banfi. Un tour che illustrerà agli ospiti come, negli oltre trent’anni di ricerca condotti in azienda, ciascun vigneto sia stato attentamente selezionato in base alle proprie specifiche caratteristiche, per offrire le condizioni ottimali per la produzione di ciascuna varietà.

Gli ospiti potranno inoltre usufruire di tutti i servizi offerti da Castello Banfi: la visita al “Museo della Bottiglia e del Vetro Giovanni F. Mariani”, alla balsameria e all’enoteca, dove oltre ai vini della tenuta, sono presenti tutti gli altri prodotti di Castello Banfi, dall’olio extra-vergine d’oliva, alla pregiata Salsa Etrusca, al miele, alle prugne e conserve di tutti i tipi di frutta prodotti all’interno della tenuta.

“Siamo felici di ospitare gli appassionati di vino provenienti da tutto il mondo, che nel proprio cuore riservano un posto speciale alla Toscana. Castello Banfi è il luogo ideale per completare una straordinaria esperienza Toscana.” dichiara Cristina Mariani-May, proprietaria di Castello Banfi.

Per altre informazioni sul Divino Tuscany e i pacchetti Castello Banfi, inclusi prezzi, date e dettagli sulle prenotazioni, potete cliccare sul sito: www.castellobanfiilborgo.it/it/hotel/pacchetti-speciali.