Domenico Francone Chef

"During my childhood, I loved accompanying my grandfather to the countryside, where he cultivated the vegetable garden, produced wine and oil, and where he also had a very small cattle farm. What fascinated me most, however, was when I returned home: the preparation of dishes with those same freshly harvested ingredients. Orecchiette alle cime di rapa' (orecchiette pasta with turnip tops) is the dish that sparked it in me. But in my childhood memories there are also the Sundays in Bari, my father's hometown, seasoned with real binges of fish bought from the fishermen on their return from the sea'.

Very attached to his homeland, this is how Chef Domenico Francone likes to introduce himself.

 

 

The story of Chef Domenico Francone

 

His first experience in the world of catering, already in secondary school, is in pastry, a discipline that has always fascinated him.

His career path leads him to travel and experience in prestigious Italian and international restaurants. A Michelin star arrives in Tuscany, at il Ristorante Beck's Banfi, a Michelin Star in 2008.

After the restaurant closed, Chef Domenico Francone moved to London where he worked at the starred restaurant Heinz Beck's Apsleysstarred restaurant. A magical and exhausting moment at the same time, which gives birth to him with the desire to continue traveling, but which also triggers a strong nostalgia for returning to Tuscany, his land of adoption

And it was here that Banfi offered him a second opportunity: to become Executive Chef of La Taverna.

In addition to La Taverna, supported by a talented brigade in both the dining room and kitchen, chef Domenico Francone also reopens the other restaurant, La Sala dei Grappoli, leading him to conquest the Michelin Star in 2020.

 

 

The Chef's words following the achievement of the Michelin Star

"The arrival of the Michelin Star is a great achievement that rewards our immense work and our enormous passion. A conquest that renewes itself every day, when we try to tell our guests about the variety of tastes and colors of Italian cuisine, trying to enhance its infinite potential".

 

SDG Targets

SDG targets undertaken by Banfi: Territory, by ensuring sustainable production systems; People, by promoting policies geared towards the creation of decent work; Environment, by improving water quality and reducing pollution; Quality, by applying agricultural practices that help conserve ecosystems.

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The Quality

The focus on excellent production is a distinctive element of Banfi's actions, as is the attention to satisfying consumer needs, guaranteeing quality and safety from a food point of view.

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The Environment

Since its foundation, Banfi has implemented an environmentally friendly production system by developing its activities in harmony with its surroundings.

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The People

Banfi recognises the centrality of people to the company's development and growth and considers it essential to guarantee the best working conditions to support well-being in the workplace.

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The Territory

The project on the territory, carried out in collaboration with the Research Unit for Viticulture of the CREA and the Edmund Mach Foundation of San Michele all'Adige, aims at assessing the phytosanitary, agronomic and oenological aspects of some promising genotypes obtained by crossing or selecting vine varieties that have shown high quality standards and/or characters of reduced sensitivity to the main fungal diseases.

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Jazz & Wine in Montalcino 2023: all the information

Oggi, dopo il grande successo dell’anno scorso, ritorna il Jazz & Wine in Montalcino, la suggestiva rassegna musicale che riscalda le notti estive di questo incantevole borgo con le note calde del jazz e l’armonia dei vini più prelibati. Affascinante incontro tra musica e vini di prestigio, il festival apre le porte a an unparalleled food, wine and music experience. Gli appassionati avranno l’opportunità di deliziarsi con i più raffinati vini toscani, scoprire le storie delle antiche cantine e apprezzare dal vivo le stelle del jazz.

 

Jazz & Wine: the dates

 

As every year for Jazz & Wine, the dates are the middle week of July: 18 to 22 July artisti del panorama musicale internazionale calcheranno il palco del festival, giunto quest’anno alla sua 26° edizione, con performance musicali di altissimo livello a partire dalle ore 21.45.

L’organizzazione è affidata al artistic director Giampiero Rubei, che da anni si fa portavoce delle tendenze musicali più apprezzate dal pubblico, alla famiglia Rubei dell’Alexanderplatz of Rome, at Municipality of Montalcino and to Castello Banfi, the historic winery that has always promoted cultural initiatives aimed at enhancing the territory.

 

 

Jazz & Wine in Montalcino 2023: the programme

Jazz & Wine in Montalcino 2023 offers a rich programme of events and Italian and foreign guests. Here are the details of the days.

 

Eventi – 18 luglio

La prima serata del Jazz & Wine in Montalcino 2023 avrà come cornice d’eccezione l’incantevole e suggestivo Castello Banfi, nel cuore di Poggio alle Mura. Quest’antica fortezza medievale ospiterà una delle stelle più brillanti del panorama jazz internazionale, la straordinaria Eliane Elias, The Bossa Queen, che riscalderà i cuori di tutti gli spettatori con brani dal suo nuovo album “Quietude”. La virtuosa del piano dalla voce calda e sensuale sarà accompagnata sul palco del Jazz & Wine di Montalcino da Marc Johnson on double bass, Leandro Pellegrino on guitar and Rafael Barata to the battery.

 

Eventi – 19 luglio

La seconda serata si sposterà alla Fortress of Montalcino, un’altra bellissima cornice dal sapore medievale, che darà il suo benvenuto a un virtuoso della chitarra che ha da tempo toccato gli animi degli appassionati di jazz e non solo: Mike Stern Band. Accompanied by Lemi Stern (electric guitar, ngoni, vocals), Bob Franceschini (sax), Jimmy Haslip (electric bass) and Dennis Chambers (batteria), porterà sul palco del Jazz & Wine in Montalcino 2023 l’atmosfera fusion dei suoi brani più famosi.

 

Eventi – 20 luglio

Il Jazz & Wine continua con un programma d’eccellenza, che porta per la prima volta in Europa l’icona del jazz internazionale Peter Erskine Quartet, che si esibirà alla Fortezza di Montalcino con Alan Easter (piano), Darek Oles (double bass) and George Garzone (sax).

 

Eventi – 21 luglio

L’anima internazionale del Jazz & Wine in Montalcino si respirerà anche venerdì 21 luglio con una tappa imperdibile del cinquantesimo anniversario e tour finale dei The Manhattan Transfera group that has been providing thrills for decades with its unique style and the virtuosity of its members.

 

Eventi – 22 luglio

On Saturday 22 July, Jazz & Wine participants will have the pleasure of listening live to the Tiromancino, who will be making a stop at the Fortezza di Montalcino during their Summer Tour to deliver a whirlwind of emotions with old and new songs.

 

Eventi – 23 luglio

Infine, domenica 23 luglio si esibirà la straordinaria cantautrice Noa (alias Achinoam Nin). Con una sensibilità ineguagliabile e la rara capacità di intrecciare generi e linguaggi musicali, Noa incarna la quintessenza stessa del jazz internazionale. Le sue note avvolgeranno gli spettatori in un abbraccio emozionale, trasportandoli in un viaggio musicale indimenticabile. 

 

Where to eat and where to stay on the dates of Jazz & Wine 2023

 

In questo suggestivo programma dedicato alla musica e all’anima jazz di Montalcino, un posto d’onore lo avranno il vino e le realtà vinicole della zona, che costituiscono l’altra parte dell’anima di questo incantevole borgo. Oltre alle tastings che accompagneranno le esibizioni musicali infatti, il Jazz & Wine 2023 è anche l’occasione per scoprire i segreti delle più rinomate cantine e ammirare le bellezze della campagna Toscana.

 

 

Dove soggiornare

 

 

Quale location migliore per stay during Jazz & Wine in Montalcino if not the prestigious Castello Banfi Wine Resorthosting the opening night of the festival? 

L’intero complesso del resort è dedicato al wellness, at relax and the excellence food and wine of the region. Guests can stay presso l’Il Borgo Hotel, dove l’architettura medievale incontra la refinement degli arredi, il fascino di sale e ambienti d’altri tempi incontra il comfort and modern-day technology, and where the professionalità and the courtesy of the staff best express the tradizionale ospitalità toscana.

 

 

Attività 

 

 

Oltre ad assistere al Jazz & Wine, il programma di chi visita Montalcino in questo periodo può arricchirsi di meravigliose opportunità, come le passeggiate a cavallo tra le colline, la visit to cellars and vineyards, o l’incontro con le delizie culinarie della tradizione toscana presso La Taverna or at the restaurant La Sala dei Grappoli.

The stay at the Castello Banfi Wine Resort vi permetterà dunque di ritrovare l’armonia e la serenità necessarie per immergersi completamente nelle suggestioni musicali degli appuntamenti serali del Jazz & Wine in Montalcino. Un’esperienza senza eguali, dove musica, vini di eccellenza e il fascino delle colline toscane si uniscono in una sinfonia di emozioni.

What to do 3 days in Tuscany

banfi-cosa-fare-3 giorni-in-Toscana Castello-Banfi-hospitality-mountain bike-hotel-il-borgo

You want to plan a long weekend in the most authentic Tuscany among culture, villages and nature? Check out our tips for a breathtaking 3-days tour of Tuscany.

 

Complete and unforgettable 3-days tour of Tuscany



Tuscany is a land rich in beauty and charm, and a lifetime would not be enough to explore each of its villages, to discover all the scenic vistas and to fall in love with its traditions. The vestiges of its ancient past, the depth of its culture and the great variety of its landscape offer those who wonder where to go a few days in Tuscany the opportunity to create a multitude of thematic itineraries: the one dedicated to relax, in resorts immersed in unspoiled nature; the one dedicated to the world of wine, with tastings and visits to wineries; the historical-artistic one, among fairy-tale villages and museums; or the maritime one by train along the beautiful Etruscan Coast. That's why when wondering where to spend 3 days of vacation in Tuscany, it can be difficult to identify the right destinations right away. To help you organize a perfect long weekend in this wonderful land, we have prepared some tips.

 

Where to spend the weekend in Tuscany relaxing



Il primo passo per decidere dove trascorrere 3 giorni di vacanza in Toscana è scegliere una località in cui pernottare che vi consenta di raggiungere facilmente le vostre destinazioni, ma che sia anche accogliente e ospitale, un’oasi di pace alla quale ritornare con piacere dopo una giornata di esplorazioni e avventura. Il Castello Banfi Wine Resort è la meta ideale dove passare un weekend in Toscana all’insegna del relax e dell’avventura: la struttura è dotata di ogni comfort per una vacanza che vi permetterà di staccare la spina per qualche giorno e ricaricarvi con un massaggio rilassante o con un passeggiata tra i vigneti lussureggianti. Inoltre, se vi chiedete dove andare nei dintorni del Castello Banfi Wine Resort, ci sono moltissime attività che vi terranno piacevolmente occupati, come il Trekking lovers in Val d’Orcia, le passeggiate a cavallo o in mountain bike.

 

Three days in Tuscany: the wine itinerary


The most popular 3-day driving tour of Tuscany in any season has as its destination the city of wine, Montalcino, home of the famous Rosso and the 'highly appreciated Brunello with its fascinating olfactory complexity. Here, surrounded by a lush landscape of rolling hills and expanses of prized vineyards, you can discover the secrets of the most renowned wine productions by visiting local wineries and participating in tasting experiences. Don't forget to include in this 3-day driving tour of Tuscany a visit to museums related to the history and production of wine, such as the Wine Museum in Greve and the Bottle and Glass Museum in Poggio alle Mura, located in an authentic medieval castle.

 

Borgi itinerary in Tuscany


Planning an itinerary of the villages of Tuscany is not easy, as there are so many of them and they are all different. If you only have a weekend available and want to know what to visit in Tuscany in 2 days to be able to capture the true essence of this region dotted with fairy-tale villages and small towns perched on hillsides, we recommend visiting the Val d'Orcia. This UNESCO World Heritage area is home to a myriad of small villages where you can breathe in an atmosphere of yesteryear. Pienza, the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, the ancient tower of Sant'Angelo in Colle, Camigliano, Sasso d'Ombrone, and the walls of Castiglione d'Orcia are just some of the beauties of these villages to visit while staying at Castello Banfi Wine Resort.

 

Tuscany 3-days tour by train


Although many of the towns and villages mentioned above can only be reached by car, the beauty of Tuscany is not necessarily precluded to those who prefer to travel by public transportation. Here, then, are some 3-days tours of Tuscany by train.

 

Etruschi Line


Etruschi Line is one of the most interesting initiatives for those who want to organize a 3-days tour of Tuscany by train. Promoted by Trenitalia and the Comitato Promotore Costa Etrusca, the initiative allows you to reach the beautiful beaches, villages and archaeological sites of the Etruscan Coast by regional train, as well as offering discounts and promotions at beach and hotel facilities.
Marina di Cecina, Follonica, Grosseto and San Vincenzo are just some of the stops you can visit comfortably by train, for a 3-days full immersion in one of the most archaeologically and scenically fascinating coastlines.

 

La linea Siena-Chiusi Chianciano Terme


The Siena-Chiusi Chianciano Terme line also offers an excellent opportunity for a 3-day tour of Tuscany by train. The first day can be entirely devoted to visiting the 'charming city of Siena, while the second day, following the stops at the train stations, you can visit the charming villages that dot this area of Tuscany, such as Asciano and Rapolano Terme, delving deeper and deeper into the wine lands, until you reach Montepulciano, where you can stay overnight. On the third day, after a visit to the area's wineries, you will take the train back to Chianciano Terme, where you can relax with a wellness path among the thermal waters.