Montalcino, 24 September 2008 - The harvest began on 27 August with the Pinot Grigio and the Chardonnaywhich was followed by Sauvignon Blanc. Harvesting of the red grapes, Merlot and Syrah, began in mid-September, and we are now harvesting Sangiovese, which will be followed by the later variety, which is Cabernet Sauvignon.

Harvest 2008

The weather pattern of the year was good, with a rainy and not particularly cold winter and a very regular spring, both in terms of rainfall and temperatures.

There was heavy rainfall until mid-June, while an alternation of high temperatures with cooler periods and rainfall characterised the second half of the month and continued throughout July. The first phases of vine development, from budding to veraison, took place with a certain delay due to this weather pattern.  

The quality of the grapes is so far very good, and the cooling of the temperatures over the last few days has been very positive and is decisive for the polyphenolic ripening of the red varieties. The quantities produced are more or less in line with those of the previous harvest.

Montalcino, 15 September 2008 - "La Lus"The latest wine from Vigne Regali, Banfi's Piedmontese brand, comes from the brand new Albarossa project.

From the union of Barbera and Nebbiolo arises Albarossa, a red grape variety that has its roots in 1938, when Prof. Dalmasso, following some experiments on indigenous Piedmontese varieties, created this new and captivating crossbreed, which immediately demonstrated a unique and surprising character.

In 2001, four of Piedmont's most important wineries, including Vigne Regali, decided to finance large-scale experimentation of the project. The results of the research are positive and confirm and reinforce the impression of a modern wine with great visual impact, which nevertheless maintains the typical Piedmontese characteristics in its freshness and pleasant tannins. In 2006, the first vintage was vinified.

La lus - the latest and innovative label of regal vines

"La Lus", deep and intense ruby red, is the highest expression of this innovative and very typical grape variety. A wine endowed with great longevity, yet immediately enjoyable, thanks to the roundness and softness of its tannins. Ageing takes place for twelve months in French oak barriques and is then completed by eight months in the bottle. The release of the new label is planned for autumn 2008.

Vigne Regali once again confirms itself as a winery devoted to the enhancement and typicality of the lower Piedmont region and its wines, always attentive to incorporating novelties. A modern company with deep roots in tradition for a project that encapsulates the special characteristics of Piedmontese wines.

20 July 2008, Montalcino - The eleventh edition of 'Jazz & Wine in Montalcino', the important musical event strongly desired by the Banfi winery, the cultural association Jazz & Image of Rome and the Municipality of Montalcino.

Montalcino - great success for the 11th edition of Jazz & Wine in Montalcino

As is now customary, after the inaugural concert, held within the evocative walls of Castello Banfi, the festival moved to the splendid 14th-century fortress of Montalcino. On stage, within this evocative setting, some of the most authoritative and refined artists of the national and international jazz scene performed.

Just to name a few, among the Italians the unmistakable trumpet of Enrico Ravaa regular on the Montalcino stage, and Stefano Bollani Cariocawhich returned to Montalcino after a few years' absence, which closed this 11th edition with a sell-out.

Many stars of the international jazz scene, starting with Mike Stern with the legendary quartet of Yellow Jackets, protagonists of an evening that was an extraordinary success with the public. This was followed by the great orchestra of Chicago Jazz Ensamble and acclaimed by the public, Shawnn Monteiro who won everyone over with his scratchy voice.

This last edition, thanks to a highly prestigious programme and the growing involvement of all the partners involved, saw a truly exceptional success in terms of audience attendance, testifying to the importance that this festival, which began in 1998, has assumed over the years.

(Montalcino, 30 June 2008) - Royal Vineyards, the Piedmontese brand of the Banfi group, has expanded its product range with a prestigious Metodo Classico, the Cuvée Aurora Rosè 2005. This pure Pinot Noir is produced from hand-picked grapes coming exclusively from the estate's own vineyards, located in the high hills of the Langhe south of Alba.

A new label for regal vines - cuvée aurora rosé

Belonging to the Alta Langa DOC, the new label joins the Cuvée Aurora Brut, which has already been on the market for a few years and on this occasion has been completely renewed in its packaging.

The Cuvée Aurora Rosé has an appealing powdery pink colour, a fine and persistent perlage, intense and elegant aromas reminiscent of golden apples, with hints of dog rose and vanilla; good structure, balanced and silky.

The Cuvée Aurora Rosé, excellent as an aperitif, pairs perfectly with white meats and fish dishes. Distributed by Banfi Distribuzione srl.

16-25 April - Seven lucky Target 2007 winning agents who, at the 2008 vintagehad the pleasure of visiting the famous and prestigious chilean wine valleys. It was an exciting and constructive experience in which we had the opportunity to get to know different and interesting wineries.

Banfi trip to Chile

From the enchanting and 'wild' Bodega de Los Robles (in the Colchagua Valley) where Emiliana is dedicated to the production of biodynamic wines, to the impeccable and elegant charm of the Almaviva winery (in the Maipo Valley), where Concha y Toro in collaboration with Baron Philippe de Rothschild produces Chile's first Premier Grand Cru Classé.

Passion for wine was the main theme of this magnificent experience, which ended in northern Chile with an unforgettable visit to the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. Hasta luego!

Montalcino, 5 March 2008 - Banfi, the well-known Montalcino winery, from next April expands its already vast range of distributed wines by including in its portfolio one of the most extreme, extraordinary and incredible types of wine in the world, theicewine.

Banfi adds a new jewel: inniskillin, the iceWine par excellence

In keeping with its well-established line of choices for high-quality wines, Banfi has opted for the exclusive distribution in Italy of an elite brand such as Inniskillin, a prestigious producer in Canada of this precious and unusual wine. The award-winning company was founded in 1975 by Donald Ziraldo, son of Italian emigrants, and Karl J. Kaiser, of Austrian origin.

Icewine is a sweet wine, but not necessarily a dessert wine, for the production of which, in order to achieve maximum sugar concentration and extreme sweetness calibrated by excellent acidity, it requires a specific meteorological characteristic, namely temperatures that remain eight to ten degrees below zero for a long time.

The purity, the freshness of the aromas, the varietal characteristics of the grapes used, the fragrances conferred by this very special concentration represented by the 'icing' of the grapes, are enhanced by vinification and ageing carried out exclusively in steel.

Banfi will start distribution with three of the wines from Inniskillin's extensive range: a Cabernet Franc, a Vidal and a Riesling.

A great accolade was awarded by Wine Spectator to the Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2006, one of the Chilean wines from Concha y Toro's Diablo Casillero line: 88 Points and 'Best Value', the highest score awarded to the line Casillero del Diablo by this authoritative American magazine.

Casillero del diablo carmenere 2006 'best value' Wine spectator

In addition to this important achievement, Carmenere 2006 was mentioned in the list of the best wines with the best value for money (Best Value), confirming once again the quality of Chilean wines from Concha y Toro.

The accompanying commentary extols its structure. "Hints of cocoa, gooseberry and tobacco leading to a very long finish. A wine with excellent value for money."

Montalcino – (12 Novembre, 2007) – John F. Mariani, proprietario dell’azienda vinicola montalcinese Castello Banfi, così come della compagnia di importazione di vini statunitense Banfi Vintners, è stato insignito del Premio alla Carriera dalla prestigiosa rivista Wine Enthusiast.

L’ambito riconoscimento è il risultato dell’assegnazione dei “2007 Wine Star Awards” attribuiti ogni anno alle eccellenze mondiali del vino, e la cui lista completa sarà pubblicata sul numero di dicembre dall’autorevole rivista americana.

La cerimonia di premiazione si terrà durante un gala dinner il prossimo 28 gennaio presso la New York Public Library.

Wine enthusiast: premio alla carriera a John Mariani

John Mariani, insieme al fratello Harry rappresenta la seconda generazione di Banfi, azienda che è oggi diretta da Cristina Mariani-May, figlia di John, e dal figlio di Harry, James. Con questo premio Wine Enthusiast ha voluto riconoscere l’influente ruolo rivestito da John Mariani nell’ambito dell’enologia mondiale. John inizia, a metà degli anni ’50, con l’ampliamento del portafoglio vini di Banfi Vintners.

L’azienda, che fino a quel momento si era occupata esclusivamente di vini italiani, introduce anche etichette tedesche, svizzere e francesi che le permetteranno, agli inizi degli anni ’60, di divenire il leader per l’importazione di vini francesi negli Stati Uniti. John prosegue il suo cammino con l’inserimento nel mercato americano del Lambrusco di Riunite.

The wine ottiene immediatamente un successo enorme e diviene così popolare da rimanere ai vertici, nella categoria dei vini importati, per oltre quaranta anni. Dal 1988 inizia la collaborazione, per il mercato americano, con Concha y Toro, una delle più importanti aziende vinicole cilene, di proprietà della famiglia Guilisasti, posizionando il marchio nel segmento dei top vini nel mondo.

Nel frattempo, alla fine degli anni ’70 compie un passo davvero importante, John diventa produttore lui stesso fondando a Montalcino la Castello Banfi, azienda che contribuirà in misura determinante al successo mondiale del Brunello.

Banfi e il Brunello di Montalcino

Castello Banfi, nota oggi internazionalmente per la sua ricerca clonale sul vitigno del sangiovese Brunello e per la produzione di vini di alta qualità, è stata la prima cantina nel mondo a ricevere le certificazioni per la responsabilità ambientale, etica e sociale (ISO 14001 e SA 8000) così come quella per la qualità (ISO 9001:2000).

Castello Banfi è diventata il fulcro dell’ospitalità della zona, offrendo molteplici servizi quali l’enoteca, il Museo del Vetro e della Bottiglia, la balsameria, i tour guidati alla cantina, due ristoranti di cui uno con cucina toscana tradizionale e l’altro, una stella Michelin, con una cucina internazionale, fino alla recente apertura del relais Castello Banfi – Il Borgo.

I successi di Banfi hanno permesso all’azienda di avere anche un importante ruolo filantropico attraverso la Fondazione Banfi Vintners.

Fondazione Banfi Vintners

La Fondazione con una donazione ha contribuito alla costruzione di una scuola tecnica, un orfanatrofio ed alla progettazione di 800 unità abitative a Potenza dopo il devastante terremoto dei primi anni ’80.

Ogni anno, inoltre, effettua donazioni a varie associazioni ed università in tutto il mondo e promuove la cultura del vino e del cibo italiani sponsorizzando tour per studenti.

Pur occupandosi di altre attività, Banfi rimane comunque sempre focalizzata sulla produzione e l’importazione di vini di alta qualità.

Agli inizi di quest’anno John Mariani è stato insignito della Laurea in Legge “Honoris Causa” dall’irlandese Shannon College. Nel 1985 ha anche ricevuto un dottorato in amministrazione finanziaria,“Honoris Causa”, dalla Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island.

E’ stato nominato Cavaliere della Repubblica d’Italia nel 1982 ed è membro del consiglio di amministrazione della Cornell University oltre che del Dean’s Advisory Councils della Cornell Johnson Business School e della Cornell Hotel School.

Nel 1987 è stato premiato come Imprenditore dell’Anno dalla Johnson’s School a seguito del progetto Sanford Weill della Citigroup e Christopher Hemmeter, per il prolifico sviluppo di alcuni dei più importanti hotel e resort alle Hawaii.

Nel 2001 John Mariani ha ricevuto il National Education and Leadership Award dall’associazione Sons of Italy negli USA.

“La visione e lo sviluppo delle idee di John Mariani, che è riuscito a portare il vino nelle case e nei ristoranti americani, hanno contribuito a far crescere la qualità del vino nel mondo” dice l’editore di Wine Enthusiast, Adam M. Strum La missione della rivista Wine Enthusiast, fondata nel 1988, è quella di educare ed intrattenere i lettori con il vino e tutto ciò che vi ruota intorno in modo semplice e facilmente accessibile.

Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast è cresciuto fino a diventare una delle pubblicazioni del mondo enologico più quotate e stimate nel mondo.

La rivista è un’importante risorsa per i vini e gli alcolici in genere disponibili sul mercato, vitale sia per i consumatori che per gli addetti ai lavori , con 500.000 copie distribuite nei settori specializzati e nei negozi di libri.

Wine Enthusiast organizza inoltre numerosi eventi rivolti sia ai consumatori che ad un pubblico più specializzato.

Montalcino, 5 December 2007 - Wine and science, an inseparable pair when it comes to quality. Among the Italian wineries that were the first to understand the importance of entering into agreements with the country's most important universities, for the implementation of scientific research in the vineyard and cellar, is Castello Banfi, l'leading producer of Brunello di Montalcino.

Following the thread of its commitment to excellence, Banfi has now collected in a prestigious volume over 20 years of studies carried out in collaboration with the Universities of Milan and Pisa. The book deals thematically with the lines of applied research that have characterised the daily operations of Castello Banfi throughout its intense, albeit brief, history.

Presentation of the book: 'The Quest for Excellence

"La Ricerca dell'Eccellenza", a limited edition that will not be on sale but will become a precious Christmas gift for selected insiders in the world of wine, will be presented on 6 December in Rome, in the headquarters of the Enciclopedia Treccani, an authoritative and unusual location that only in very rare circumstances has opened its doors to the public.

Some of Italy's best-known oenology experts will be taking part in the event, such as Professor Attilio Scienza, Professor of Viticulture at the University of Milan, who will illustrate the important research that began at Castello Banfi in the early 1980s with his collaboration.

There will also be Professor Amedeo Alpi, lecturer at the University of Pisa; with Professor Sergio Miele of the Department of Agronomy of the same university, Castello Banfi has, in fact, signed a research agreement for years for the study of the main agronomic issues.

Professor Carlo Cannella, a renowned nutritionist, will talk about the relationship between wine and health: according to the most recent international discoveries, in fact, moderate wine consumption is considered an important element in the prevention of numerous pathologies. Finally, the philosopher Tullio Gregory will discuss the well-being of the modern age, with the important role played by wine in our diet.

Together with Enrico Viglierchio, general director of Castello Banfi, the authoritative professor Gian Tommaso Scarascia Mugnozza, president of the Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze, known as Accademia dei XL, will speak.

The meaning of the book

This book is meant to be an acknowledgement to all those who have contributed to the success of Castello Banfi, shaping a starting material, the Montalcino territory, that had great potential in itself, but little expressed and above all not recognised at world level.

The book deals with natural and genetic resources (climate, soils and landscapes of the estate's territory, viticultural zoning, clonal selection of Sangiovese, the wild grapevine and the origins of cultivated varieties), the evolution of production technology in the vineyard (agronomic soil management, stages in the estate's development of cultivation techniques, irrigation, weed control), the valorisation of grapes (wine aromas, the wood/wine relationship, the cellar seen in its development), and the Social Responsibility (with reference to the certifications obtained by Castello Banfi).

Siamo giunti al consueto  appuntamento con le recensioni delle più importanti guide italiane del vino ancora una volta puntuali nel decretare le etichette protagoniste durante il 2007.

Per quanto riguarda Banfi, grande successo per i nostri vini più moderni ed “internazionali”, come i  pluri-premiati SummuS ed ExcelsuS, ma anche e finalmente, il giusto riconoscimento al nostro Mandrielle Merlot, ai vertici anch’esso dalla più qualificata critica ufficiale.

Negli ultimi anni il nostro team tecnico ha lavorato moltissimo sulla famiglia dei monovarietali, con alcune innovazioni sia in campagna che in cantina che hanno consentito una più autentica ed elegante espressione del frutto.

Banfi's great wines at the top of the major Italian wine guides

I “3 bicchieri” attribuiti dalla guida “Vini d’Italia” di Gambero Rosso & Slow Food al Mandrielle 2004 decretano e certificano, quindi, il successo di questa nuova filosofia produttiva.

Anche quest’anno, come lo scorso, trasversali apprezzamenti nelle guide dell’Associazione Italiana Sommelier, of Maroni and of Veronelli per i nostri due SuperTuscan-gioiello che nella splendida vendemmia 2004 raggiungono un picco qualitativo eccezionale.

Il nostro Brunello 2002 è stato inoltre giudicato da Wine Spectator the best of all the Brunellos produced, and was awarded 4 stars out of Decanter.

Una produzione, quella di Banfi, che sia nelle grandi annate così come nelle piccole, sia con le grandi denominazioni che con i vini più moderni, si distingue per una qualità difficilmente eguagliabile.