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Typical Tuscan foods: 7 delicacies

Discover typical Tuscan foods: the 7 gastronomic delicacies of the Tuscany region and where we recommend you eat them.

7 typical Tuscan foods to try

In the heart of lush Tuscany, a land that enchants with its fairy-tale landscapes and millenary history, hospitality is a sacred value, of which Castello Banfi Wine Resort has always been a spokesman. Here, the culture of hospitality finds its highest expression and visitors are welcomed with professionalism and warmth; but it is not only in hospitality that lies the soul of the Tuscanybut also in its most precious treasure: food.
A riot of authentic and genuine flavors, rooted in a centuries-old culinary tradition, makes the Tuscan gastronomic experience a journey for all the senses. To fully understand the beauty of this region, it is therefore essential to taste at least one of the 7 typical Tuscan foods that represent its essence.

The Fiorentina steak, a great classic

But what is the most famous food of Tuscany? The Florentine steak undoubtedly occupies first place in the collective imagination when it comes to typical Tuscan dishes, a first place certainly well deserved. Artfully cooked, this rib-eye steak hides tender meat under a golden, crispy crust. Generous in its portion size and bold in its flavor, it is the result of precise and careful cooking, but also of the finest ingredients, meat carefully selected from cattle raised in the green expanses of the region. We recommend accompanying it with a Brunello di Montalcino, which enhances the meat's aromas and reveals the complexity of traditional red wines.

Not only Fiorentina: here are what are the other delicacies of Tuscany

Here are what other Tuscan food specialties to try at least once in a lifetime.

Ribollita

Rightfully among the typical Tuscan foods is ribollita, an ancient peasant dish of fresh vegetables, legumes and stale bread that embodies the very essence of Tuscan tradition. This soup, which originated as a peasant recipe handed down from generation to generation, is now revisited with the use of zero-kilometer raw materials, but it retains its spirit. Simmered for hours, it is almost like a warm embrace for the palate, a kaleidoscope of flavors in which one recognizes the sweetness of the vegetables, the fullness of the legumes and the unmistakable aroma of the herbs. Accompanied by a Chianti Classico, its robust flavor combines with the intensity of Tuscan red wines.

Pappa al pomodoro

Pappa al pomodoro, one of Tuscany's signature dishes par excellence, embodies the elegance and simplicity of the region's culinary tradition: it is a symphony of authentic flavors and Mediterranean aromas. The red hues of ripe tomatoes blend with the gold of Tuscan extra virgin olive oil, while garlic and herbs lend a note of depth. The secret ingredient, stale Tuscan bread, transforms into a soft, creamy texture, enveloping the mouth in an embrace of pleasure.

Crostini with fegatini

And speaking of Tuscan breads and foods, one cannot fail to mention crostini with fegatini, a delicate preparation that combines chicken livers, crusty bread and a touch of herbs. Each bite releases an explosion of flavors, artfully encased in the enveloping creaminess of this distinctive dish.

Pici (or pinci as they are called in Montalcino) with meat sauce

Also unforgettable are the pici with wild boar ragout, a handmade pasta, similar to thick spaghetti, seasoned with a wild boar ragout with an intense and homemade flavor, but at the same time complex and fascinating.

Special Tuscan delicacies

A place of honor among the typical dishes of Tuscany also deserves the famous Lampredotto, a specialty made from veal tripe, rich in flavor and tender in texture. This cut of meat, carefully extracted from the stomach part of the animal, becomes the star of a dish that requires patience and skill in its preparation process. It represents a unique culinary experience for those who dare to venture into the less conventional delicacies that are nonetheless one of the quintessential Tuscan foods.
Finally, to answer exhaustively the question of what is the most famous and most consumed typical product of Tuscany even outside the region, excluding of course the wide selection of wines and staying on Tuscan foods, the answer is: cantucci with Vin Santo. These crisp, fragrant almond cookies, perfect when dipped in vin santo, are one of the most beloved desserts throughout the peninsula. The harmony between the sweetness of cantucci and the richness of wine creates a perfect conclusion to a Tuscan meal.

Typical Tuscan food at La Taverna Restaurant

For those who wish to fully immerse themselves in the centuries-old Tuscan culinary tradition, there is no better place than the La Taverna Restaurant. Located in the shadow of the Castello Banfi Wine Resort, this temple of taste offers a unique experience where typical Tuscan dishes are prepared with skill and passion using only the highest quality local raw materials.
Here, in a pleasant, rustic setting, you can consider whether to opt for a menu with a tasting trail or a la carte appetizers, first courses, main courses and desserts. La Taverna Restaurant is where Tuscan hospitality and culinary tradition come to life with every bite and every sip of wine.

Montalcino typical dishes: where to enjoy them

Here are Montalcino typical dishes, how to cook them and where to enjoy them in combination with quality wines from the area.

Montalcino typical dishes: what they are and where to taste them

The territory of Montalcino, the enchanting Tuscan village nestled in the hills of the Val d'Orcia, tells a story as old as its rich soil on which the finest vines grow, a narrative that is also reflected in the area's culinary and wine traditions.
The typical dishes of Montalcino are made of authentic flavours, reflecting a simple and traditional way of life, deeply rooted in the territory and its excellence. Each recipe is a culinary voyage of discovery of the region's typical products, and each village or small town often boasts its own personal reinterpretation of the recipes, making culinary experiences in Montalcino unique and varied.

What to eat in Val d'Orcia?

The Val d'Orcia, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dotted with small villages nestled in a lush landscape. Each of them is the bearer of a local food and wine tradition that has always attracted tourists from all corners of the world. Whether you are talking about appetisers, first courses, main courses or desserts, the choice of what to eat in Val d'Orcia is wide.

Cold cuts and cheeses linked to the territory

Among the starters, an honourable mention must be reserved for Cinta Senese ham, with its unique and unmistakable flavour, similar to that of game, and its characteristic spicy scent, perfect in combination with Brunello di Montalcino.
Pecorino di Pienza is also one of the delicacies of the Val d'Orcia and one of the typical dishes of Montalcino: fresh or matured for ninety days in oak barrels, its strong taste is influenced by the aromatic herbs on which the sheep, reared in a semi-wild state, feed.

Traditional first courses

The typical first courses of Montalcino and Tuscany in general are renowned for their intense and concentrated taste, rich in the flavours and aromas of the territory, with seasonings based on game meat.
Among the most traditional first courses are the pici, a long, thick fresh pasta typical of the Val d'Orcia tradition, which go perfectly with various sauces (game, garlic and sauces) as they capture the essence of each preparation thanks to their porous surface that retains sauces and flavours.

Pici or Pinci

In the land of Brunello, pici are called “pinci”: pinci with breadcrumbs are one of Montalcino's most classic dishes to be enjoyed in local restaurants and taverns, and are proof that the creative spirit of the Tuscans succeeds in making even an apparently simple and 'poor' dish rich and tasty. In fact, to the traditional seasoning of garlic, oil and chilli pepper, crumbs of toasted or stale Tuscan bread are added, adding a pinch of delicacy and surprise to the dish.

Tortelli alla Mugellana

Much more elaborate are the tortelli alla Mugellana, one of the region's most popular Montalcino recipes, especially when accompanied by a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. These particular tortelli, made with fresh pasta, are filled with potatoes flavoured with cheese, parsley and garlic, and go perfectly with rich meat sauces, such as wild boar ragout.

Main courses

Another great classic of Tuscan cuisine to enjoy in Montalcino is the peposo, a very tender stew immersed in a thick, spicy sauce with an ancient flavour, like that of tradition, that cooks slowly for almost three hours in a copper pan. Peposo is usually served with Tuscan bread and Brunello di Montalcino.
Also the Sangiovannese stew is another typical Montalcino dish linked to the 'poor' and working-class tradition: this stew is prepared with different spices such as ginger, cloves and cinnamon, and every Montalcino family hands down from father to son its own perfect spice mix.

Traditional Sweets

Panforte, macaroons and ricciarelli are the most popular sweets in the region and are linked to local history and traditions. In fact, to trace the oldest recipe for panforte, once the exclusive prerogative of nobles and aristocrats, one has to go back in time to the year 1000.
The 'white' version currently enjoyed throughout the province of Siena dates back to Queen Margaret's visit to Siena in 1879, when the Sienese made a more delicate panforte covered in vanilla sugar.

Where to eat in Montalcino

This journey to discover the typical dishes and recipes of Montalcino cannot but end with a question: where to eat near Montalcino?

La Taverna

One of the most characteristic places to eat near Montalcino is the La Taverna Restaurant, located among the hills surrounding the charming Castello Banfi Wine Resort. The restaurant was designed in the ancient cellars of the medieval castle and furnished in traditional Tuscan style, with wooden tables, fine bottles on display and brick vaults, for a rustic and comfortable ambience.
The atmosphere one breathes is that of a cosy tavern of bygone days where one can enjoy in the company of friends and family the typical dishes of Montalcino accompanied by excellent Banfi wine.
The kitchen offers guests the traditional Montalcino and Tuscany dishes, including braised pork cheek at the Moscadello With pumpkin, polenta and jus of prunes or ravioli with porcini mushrooms from the Amiata area, with chickpea cream and Cinta Senese powder, using only fresh, genuine, km0 ingredients that enhance the authenticity of the flavours of the area and provide a food and wine experience to be tried at least once.

La Sala dei Grappoli

Having dinner at La Sala dei Grappoli Restaurant, still by Castello Banfi Wine Resort, is instead like embarking on a journey through the flavors of Tuscany, revisited by the Chef Domenico Francone and his team. Local raw materials are artfully used to create seasonal menus that give guests an unforgettable experience, thanks in part to the finest selection of Banfi wines.
The restaurant has a refined and unique indoor dining room, with exposed wooden beams and walls frescoed with voluptuous green and gold grapes, and an outdoor terrace, in the shadow of the castle and overlooking the breathtaking landscape of the Tuscan hills.

Wine cellar tasting in Montalcino

Discover our wine shop and cellar, strategically located near Montalcino and enjoy an unforgettable wine tasting.

Wine tastings in wine cellars in Montalcino: where to go?

More and more tourists and wine enthusiasts are choosing the wineries of Montalcino for a tasting of the finest excellence of this unique territory. Wineries in Montalcino, in fact, are the perfect place to learn more about the world of wine from history to production techniques.
Food and wine tourism in recent years is not limited to simply tasting local products but complements the exploration of the area and its traditions. The charming village of Montalcino, nestled among the green and sunny hills of southern Tuscany, is the ideal destination for such an immersive experience.

Why is Montalcino the perfect place to learn about wine?

A visit to the wineries of Montalcino accompanied by a wine tasting cannot be said to be complete without a brief excursion into the history of this area, which has been deeply linked to wine production since the past.

Montalcino: land of wines since Etruscan times already

The vocation of the Montalcino area for wine production is as old as the town itself: in fact, numerous archaeological finds testify that already in Etruscan times the verdant hills surrounding the place where the town now stands were dedicated to the cultivation of vines and the production of excellent wines renowned throughout the peninsula.
But it was during the nineteenth century that, with the production of Brunello, Montalcino won the title of “home of wine,” thus becoming a favorite destination for connoisseurs and enthusiasts curious to discover the area's wineries and experience the tastings that each of them offers. Montalcino's wineries are in fact among the first to open their doors to visitors, becoming one of the first villages in Italy to promote wine tourism.

Unique territory and producers of excellence

For all those who wish to learn more about the world of wine, from its origins to the more technical aspects related to production, a tasting at one of Montalcino's wineries turns out to be the ideal choice.
In fact, this area, thanks to its special microclimate, makes it possible to produce wines of the highest quality, first and foremost the Brunello di Montalcino, the highest expression of the prince grape variety of these lands: Sangiovese

Wineries in Montalcino where to book a wine tasting

But where to taste Brunello di Montalcino and other local delicacies? Castello Banfi Wine Resort is the ideal place to make a tasting experiences in the territory of Montalcino. Located in the charming Poggio alle Mura, just a short walk from the center of Montalcino, this wonderful wine resort offers the opportunity to visit the vineyards and the Banfi winery and enjoy a truly unique tasting experience. Visiting the wineries near Montalcino for wine tastings will not only be an itinerary that will take you through the heady scents and the thousand flavors of this region, but a real journey into the world of wine production, where the knowledge of yesteryear is intertwined with the latest technologies, resulting in products of unparalleled excellence.

It begins with a tour of the vineyards

A visit to the vineyards is the first stop for those who decide to do a wine tasting near Montalcino. Walking through the rows of vines, you will have the opportunity to discover technical and historical trivia about the different grape varieties produced in Montalcino and the techniques that allow them to be transformed into the extraordinary wines that characterize this area and how wine is made.

Winery visits

At Castello Banfi Wine Resort the tour to the vineyards is accompanied by a visit to the winery, the beating heart of the Banfi winery, designed to preserve the richness of the grapes and their characteristics. The pride of our winery is the brand new winemaking area, which can be fully visited thanks to some comfortable and innovative architectural solutions, allowing to observe the whole winemaking process.
You will be accompanied by an expert guide, who will explain the different stages of wine production and the different tools used for production and aging. You will also have our experienced sommeliers at your side who will accompany you through the tasting experience, teaching you how to recognize a good wine by sight and smell, even before the palate.

How tastings are held at the Enoteca

The Banfi Wine Shop is the ideal place to taste a selection of various types of Brunello di Montalcino, accompanying each glass to the products, pairing them with typical products such as local pecorino cheese and Tuscan prosciutto. Just a few steps from the castle, the ambience recreates in every way a Tuscan workshop of yesteryear, with rustic floors and beamed ceilings. You can stroll among the elegant shelves of fine wood on which stand the marvels of local craftsmanship and Banfi's signature wines; you can taste local food and wine products, including the renowned Etruscan Balsamic Dressing and the Banfi grappas.
To meet the needs of all wine lovers, our wine shop organizes different tour routes, from the afternoon tour with tasting of four types of wine to the morning tour with a three- or four-course lunch, with wines chosen for pairing by our expert sommeliers, or even booking a private tour with a tour of the vineyards, winery and Balsameria, followed by a guided tasting and lunch at the La Taverna Restaurant.

Wine tourism in Italy: history and curiosities

Wine tourism is a form of tourism that focuses on wine and its production. Learn more about wine tourism in Italy and its history.

Enotourism: meaning and history of wine tourism in Italy

Wine tourism or wine tourism is a journey of discovery of the territories with a strong wine vocation, enriched by tastings of wines and local food and wine products, from guided tours of wineries and vineyards, and from encounters with local traditions and culture.
So, when one asks what is meant by wine tourism, it is important to understand that one is not just referring to the classic wine tasting at a wine bar, but to an immersive experience strongly linked to the territory that embraces the entire culture of wine and its production. Often, in fact, wineries are located in villages nestled among sun-kissed hillsides and rows of vines as far as the eye can see, in a fairytale landscape that acts as a backdrop to the tasting experience, becoming an integral part of it.

The most sought-after destinations for wine tourists

The most sought-after destinations for wine tourists are the areas of Tuscany renowned for their wine production, such as the Val d'Orcia or the Chianti areas. Here, thanks to the resourcefulness and feeling of hospitality and welcome that characterises the inhabitants of these areas, local wineries have breathed new life into small villages and medieval hamlets, turning them into museums, B&Bs or luxury resorts where one can dedicate oneself to relaxation, art, wellness and good wine.
The culture of wine is in fact linked to that of pleasure, wellness and entertainment, so when it comes to wine tourism, there is never a shortage of activities such as spas and thermal baths, creative activities such as exhibitions, laboratories and workshops dedicated to wine production, as well as experiences in contact with nature for the whole family, such as hiking, trekking and grape harvest tourism.

When wine tourism was born

Wine and tourism is a very old combination, yet the phenomenon of wine tourism in Italy is relatively recent: born in the early 1990 s on the initiative of a number of associations that gave rise to important events related to wine and tourism and still famous today, such as the events 'Cantine Aperte' or 'Calici sotto le stelle'.. Thanks to these initiatives, over the past 30 years more than 15 million tourists have approached the world of wine production, its history and the traditions of the area.

Legislation on wine tourism

But by whom is wine tourism regulated? And what are the laws that regulate this form of tourism?

Legislation on wine tourism or wine tourism is very recent. In the early 2000s, the Wine Routes were created, i.e. protected routes along which there are 'natural, cultural and environmental values, vineyards and wineries of farms or associated companies open to the public' and which have opened the door to a new way of conceiving tourism linked to food and wine, and above all to the excellence of the territory.
On the other hand, the Guidelines on requirements and minimum quality standards for the exercise of wine tourism activities, strongly desired by all those working in the sector and approved during the State-Regions Conference, date back to March 2019. The Enotourism Decree then regulates winery visits, the invoicing of wine tourism activities, and the skills that staff working in this sector must have.

Wine tourism in Tuscany: where to go?

One of the most evocative places related to wine tourism is the Val d'Orcia, which, with its breathtaking landscapes, villages rich in history and a very strong wine vocation of the area, has always been a favourite destination for wine tourists.
In the heart of the Val d'Orcia, just a few kilometers from Montalcino, home of the Brunello, rises Castello Banfi Wine Resort, a luxury accommodation dedicated to wine tourism and wellness, an oasis in the Tuscan hills where you can treat yourself to a pleasant weekend away from city stress, in harmony with the slow pace of the countryside.

Wine tourism: not only wine tastings

The beating heart of wine tourism is certainly the tasting experiences of local wines and products that, with their perfect harmony of scents and flavors, mirror the excellence of the area. Castello Banfi Wine Resort organizes customized tasting experiences that will allow you to taste the flavors of the castle and travel by taste and smell among the Tuscany and the Piedmont, trying the best Banfi signature wines.
Moreover, in perfect accordance with the spirit of wine tourism, we offer the possibility of a unique visit through the places and excellences that characterise our winery, a tour that begins with a visit to the property and the vineyards, where the superb grapes that give life to the finest bottles grow, continues with a guided tour of the wine cellar, a place where the latest technologies meet the highest quality raw materials and traditions of yesteryear, and ends the experience with a lunch full of local products that will satisfy even the most demanding palates.

La Pettegola Banfi Limited Edition 2023 of Noma Bar

The extremely linear and essential figures of Noma Bar wrap the bottle of the Limited Edition 2023of La Pettegola, the Vermentino by Banfi.

Noma Bar: the artist

Banfi’s adventure with the world of design continues and sees, for the first time, the involvement of a non-Italian artist: Noma Bar, an Israeli based in London, vintage 1973. Designer, illustrator, graph, Bar’s work has been published in a number of international media, including the BBC, Random House, The Observer and The Economist. The first thing you notice, observing his illustrations, is the use of sharp lines delimiting the space, which he calls "negative space", collaborations with brands international campaigns range from campaigns for Greenpeace, Amnesty International, IBM, Coca-Cola and many others. Very famous are his portraits of politicians, singers and actors, but also fairy tale characters and many animals.

Noma Bar's Limited Edition 2023 label for Banfi's La Pettegola.

With La Pettegola Limited Edition by Banfi, Noma Bar approaches the world of wine for the first time. " I had never worked on a label or with augmented reality before," he says. " But the challenges like this one from Banfi, are what I love most. I wanted to combine my style with the world of La Pettegola, imagining a world among women intent on revealing their dreams, passions and secrets in front of a glass of wine. Their emotions, as well as the details of La Pettegola, are hidden in full view: the amazement that is created by looking closer is what makes the design and life so special".

The artwork of Noma Bar represents five female figures that, if at first glance may seem an enigma, observing them better you can grasp the most true details, discovering that in each of them there is a bit of La Pettegola. A golden chalice, a tapered bottle, a little bird with spread wings. The symbols of La Pettegola are transformed by the artist into distinctive signs for a label full of many different facets, all to be discovered.

La Pettegola Limited Editions of past years

La Pettegola, first produced in 2012, from 2018 boasts a limited edition (only twenty thousand bottles for 2023) signed every year by internationally renowned artists and designers. The first, in 2018, was designed by Alessandro Baronciani, in 2019 it was the turn of Ale Giorgini, followed by Riccardo Guasco in 2020, Elena Salmistraro in 2021 and Van Orton for the 2022 edition.

On the occasion of the tenth grape harvest of Vermentino signed Banfi was also thought to produce a special packaging, in limited edition, with six Limited Edition.

Banfi Experience and Augmented Reality

Also for the 2023 edition, the label of the Limited Edition comes to life thanks to Augmented Reality, the five female figures protagonists of the artwork are animated by expressing their thoughts and emotions.

To see the animated label just download the Banfi Experience app (Apple Store - Play Store) and frame the bottle.

Banfi redesigns its governance model from 2023

As of 10 January 2023, a new page has opened for Banfi. An essential step to sustain the company's leadership and continue along the path of cultural continuity and family ownership.

Banfi, the leading company in the Brunello di Montalcino, has decided to reorganise and make its governance model more up-to-date and dynamic. All in the name of cultural continuity and greater integration between US and Italian management.

New governance-model: Management

Enrico Viglierchio, in addition to retaining his role as General Manager of the group, he takes on the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Banfi Società Agricola srl. In his new role, he became responsible for the agricultural, wine and production sectors. Working alongside him as Vice-President, Gabriele Mazzi, CFO of both Banfi srl and Banfi Società Agricola srl, as well as Cristina Mariani-May, Philip Calderone and Jason Arfin.

New governarce-model: Presidency

Rodolfo Maralli was appointed Chairman of the Board of Banfi srl and, in addition to his new assignment, he will continue in his function as Director of Sales and Marketing, External Communication and Press Relations. Enrico Viglierchio, Gabriele Mazzi and Elizabeth Koenig were appointed as vice-presidents of the company, recently appointed as Hospitality Director of Castello Banfi Wine Resort. Cristina Mariani-May, Philip Calderone and Jason Arfinsono are the other members of the Board of Directors.

New governance-model: Executive committee

Prominent in the new governance model is the creation of a Executive Committee, with strategic planning and medium- to long-term policy-making functions, chaired by Cristina Mariani-May, will see the members of the two Boards of Directors. All this reaffirms the ultimate goal of this organisational journey: the integration of the two souls, Italian and American, and the drive towards innovation and change.

CEO Cristina Mariani-May

Cristina Mariani-May increasingly protagonist of Banfi of the future comments: 'I would like to thank the entire Banfi team, for the path we have travelled and, above all, for the bright future we have yet to write. My warm thanks also go to Remo Grassi for his more than 40 years of passion and dedication in our company. The new organisation propels us towards a new way of working together, as one company, to meet and win the challenges of the future: "for a better wine world"".

6 villages in Tuscany to live in

Do you dream of a slower life, in contact with nature and the products grown on the territory? Let us guide you through the small Tuscan villages of dreams.

6 small villages in Tuscany where to live

Tuscany, a land rich in history, art and culture in all its forms, is not only a popular destination for tourists from all over the world but also a region where one can consider moving permanently to change one's lifestyle.
The main attraction is that of the small villages in Tuscany, where living a life in closer contact with nature, which from a professional point of view can offer various career outlets, for example in tourism, agriculture and food and wine.
For those wondering where to live in Tuscany to change their lifestyle, here are five small villages in Tuscany where to live.

Brento Sanico

Brento Sanico is a tiny Tuscan village located in the heart of the mountains of upper Mugello, in a basin half-hidden from view; it represents a unique opportunity to move to Tuscany, leaving behind the hectic city life to devote oneself to agriculture and animal husbandry.
This village, in fact, abandoned in the 1960s, is at the centre of a major redevelopment and repopulation project: the houses will be renovated using the beautiful local pietra serena stone and given on a free loan basis.

Sovana

Sovana, a hamlet in the municipality of Sorano in the province of Grosseto, is one of the most enchanting small villages in Tuscany to live in if you love art and culture. The place was already inhabited in Etruscan times and soon became an important medieval village.
Testimonies of this ancient past are visible at every step inside the town, among the many religious and military buildings, such as the Aldobrandesca Fortress or in the nearby archaeological area. The village has a few hundred inhabitants and is well connected with the other centres of the Maremma.

Bagno Vignoni

Bagno Vignoni also has very ancient origins: the Romans already preferred it, among all the centres of the Val d'Orcia, for the presence of thermal springs of volcanic origin, and even Lorenzo de' Medici was a guest.

San Gimignano

Certainly larger and more famous than the previous is the village of San Gimignano, known as "the city of towers" and declared a UNESCO heritage. Moving to Tuscany and choosing to live in San Gimignano offers the possibility of enjoying all the advantages of a small village without renouncing services and infrastructures of different types. In addition, this Tuscan village offers some working opportunities in the tourism and wine production sector.

Montepulciano

Equally famous for wine, but also for its thermal springs and its typically medieval appearance, is Montepulciano, one of the most enchanting places to live in Tuscany. The village, which has almost 15,000 inhabitants, is located on the border with Umbria and is rich in green areas, ideal for families who love trekking and hiking.

Poggio alle Mura

Among the most characteristic medieval places in Tuscany we recommend you also the town of Poggio alle Mura, located in the municipality of Montalcino and not far from the border with the province of Grosseto.
Here you will find the Banfi Castle of Poggio alle Mura, one of the best wine resorts near Montalcino. Although it is not possible to live in Poggio alle Mura, settling near this locality, for example in Montalcino, offers the possibility of starting a life in contact with nature and where there are many possibilities to work in the wine sector.
Wine lovers will also have the opportunity to visit theEnoteca Banfi, an enchanting Tuscan shop of old where you can buy the most famous Banfi labels and local products. In addition, inside the Castello Banfi is located the Restaurant La Sala dei Grappoli and the Restaurant La Taverna, perfect places for those who love the taste of tradition.

Wedding in Tuscany: where to do it?

Where and how to organise a wedding in Tuscany? Here is an example of the perfect location to make this day unforgettable.

Wedding in Tuscany: the perfect location

Celebrating your wedding in Tuscany is the dream of many couples. The charm of the Tuscan landscapes, with its typical hills, vineyards, hilltops and villages of yesteryear, combined with the typical hospitality of the inhabitants of this region and the quality of food and wine, makes Tuscany the ideal location.
Among the places for a wedding in Tuscany that best encapsulate these characteristics is Castello Banfi, near Montalcino, land of Red and Brunello, an elegant and refined location for weddings in Tuscany in a unique setting rich in history.

Wedding at Castello Banfi Wine Resort: hospitality and haute cuisine

For those who are wondering where to make a wedding in Tuscany that is truly unforgettable, Castello Banfi Wine Resort is the ideal choice: the castle will in fact be for the exclusive use of the newlyweds and their guests, who can walk through the medieval walls, admire the vineyards, the quiet Tuscan countryside and taste the haute genuine and at zero km, our chefs who skillfully intertwine traditional flavors to new culinary trends.

The wedding locations in Tuscany of Castello Banfi Wine Resort

Thanks to the versatility of the interior and exterior spaces of the Castle and the attention to detail, you can customize the ceremony, the welcome drink, lunch or dinner, choosing the formula that best suits each need and taking advantage of the different locations inside or outside the resort.

Outdoor spaces overlooking the Tuscan countryside

The strategic position of the structure makes the castle the ideal place for a wedding: the Terrace, for example, located close to the walls, offers a breathtaking view on the Tuscan hills, as in a postcard where the sun-kissed vineyards become the perfect backdrop for a vineyard wedding in Tuscany.
The outdoor spaces are numerous: courtyards, terraces and gardens can be used to host the buffet, the welcome aperitif or the traditional cut of the cake. One of the most romantic places in the whole castle is for example the Roseto, where the enchantment of nature and the expert hands of flower designers and gardeners meet to give life to a fairytale place, an incredibly romantic and suggestive background for souvenir photos or to pronounce the famous "yes" surrounded by the beauty and elegance of roses, the flower symbol of love.

Charming interior spaces within the castle walls

But the charm of the castle is also enclosed within its ancient walls. Thanks to the attention to detail and the elegance of the furnishings, guests and newlyweds will enjoy all the comforts during the ceremony and reception in a unique and unusual location for weddings in Tuscany.

A tailor-made event

Castello Banfi Wine Resort, with its romantic and at the same time versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, offers different settings in which to organise the multiple moments of your ceremony. Every detail can be taken care of and customised according to the needs of the bride and groom, to offer them the wedding they have always dreamed of.
In addition to the uniqueness of the location and the gastronomic proposal, the excellence of the staff contributes to the magic of the venue. They will assist you in making your special day unforgettable and unique.

Guest rooms and suites

Finally, the newlyweds who choose to celebrate their wedding in Tuscany within the walls of the Castello Banfi Wine Resort will have at their disposal, in addition to the private spaces of the castle, also the rooms and suites that are part of the resort, with the possibility of sleeping in an authentic medieval castle, immersed in nature with all the comforts and comforts of a luxury structure.

What does it take to open a wine shop? The case Enoteca Banfi

What does it take to open a wine shop? The Enoteca Banfi case

From wine, to combinations, to the atmosphere: here is how Enoteca Banfi at the Castello Banfi Wine Resort was born and some suggestions for opening yours.

How to open a successful wine shop?

In recent years, the phenomenon of wine shops, wine bars and cellar tours in Italy has become increasingly popular. Many people, therefore, wonder what it takes to open a wine shop and how to start a successful one. In this short guide on how to open a wine shop we will answer all the most frequently asked questions on the subject.

Difference between wine shop and wine bar

First of all, a distinction must be made between wine shop and wine bar, which are often misused as synonyms:
the wine shop is the place where wines (either home-made or imported) are sold together with other alcoholic beverages and local food products. Compared to a normal wine shop, the enoteca offers a more select choice of labels and the possibility of guided tours of the cellars, also accompanied by wine tastings;
The wine bar, on the other hand, is a real place to eat, with a menu, seating and various dishes to accompany and enhance the wine.

What does it take to open a wine shop?

As with any business, it is essential to draw up a business plan. The latter should include several types of analysis, for example:
that on costs, which are necessary to open the business;
an analysis of the target audience, i.e. the types of users you want to reach with your activity;
on location design;
on the medium and long-term objectives of the business.

What to do to get a licence to sell wine?

If you want to open a wine bar or an enoteca, it is useful, for example, to have obtained a diploma from a hotel school, to have at least two years ofexperience in catering before opening your business and to have attended sommelier courses.
The regions also regularly ban SAB courses (Food and Drink Administration) courses, that is training courses for the purpose of enabling the exercise of activities in the food trade and for the sale of foodstuffs and beverages. In addition, it is mandatory to have the HACCP certificate relating to hygiene and safety standards necessary to serve food and drinks to the public.
It is also necessary to have a licence to sell alcohol. But what do you have to do to obtain a licence to sell wine? It will be sufficient to submit the appropriate application to the Customs and Monopolies Agency, also by registered mail. Finally, among the documents required to open a wine shop or wine bar, you must have:
Certified Declaration of Commencement of Activity (SCIA) for commercial activities;
VAT number;
Corresponding ATECO code.

How much does it cost to open a wine shop?

Documentation, permits and licences are the initial items to be included in the spending plan for opening a wine shop, to which must then be added the cost of renting or purchasing the premises, furnishing, supplying wine and hiring staff.
On average, the initial cost of opening a wine shop is around EUR 30,000, excluding wines.

Enoteca Banfi: a case of success

To understand what it takes to open a wine shop, the advice is to take the example of successful activities in our territory, such as the Banfi Enoteca, located in the heart of the land of Brunello, at Castello Banfi Wine Resort, only 20 km from Montalcino.
The first thing that strikes visitors upon entering this wine shop is its atmosphere: the décor has been made with fine materials and antique furniture to recreate a Tuscan shop of bygone days. Entering the Enoteca Banfi is not only a purchasing experience but also an immersion in the discovery of places and traditions linked to the world of wine.
It is also a wine shop that is characterised by the variety of products on sale: sparkling wines, grappa, extra virgin olive oil and many other excellences of local gastronomy as well as, of course, the careful selection of Banfi wines, renowned and appreciated all over the world for their quality and taste.

What the Enoteca Banfi offers

Finally, the Enoteca Banfi organizes for its guests tasting experiences with typical local products (e.g. cheeses, cold cuts, etc.) in combination with the wines offered, as well as fascinating visits to the Banfi cellars. These are real tours that include a walk through the vineyards, where you can admire the many varieties of grapes grown in the estates Banfi, and at the cellar, an elegant, rustic and yet modern.
The customer’s care and the excellence of the products on sale remain another fundamental element to keep in mind to open a successful wine bar.

Recycling wooden wine boxes

They can become shelves, storage compartments or accessories for our pets: here are 5 ideas for recycling wooden wine crates.

5 recycling ideas for wine crates

Wooden wine boxes, especially those of the most valuable bottles, contribute to the value of the product itself. They can in fact be handcrafted from quality wood.
The most beautiful ones are often stored together with bottles or displayed in the cellar or living room as real design elements. Alternatively, it is possible to recycle them into entirely new objects. In this respect, there are many ideas on how to recycle wooden wine crates.
In addition, since these are objects with a very versatile rectangular shape and durable and resistant material, it is possible to reuse the wine boxes in different rooms of the house.

Here are 5 ideas on how to recycle wooden wine boxes.

1. Spice holder or tea holder

If you are wondering how to recycle wooden wine boxes, the easiest solution is to give them new life without making substantial changes and changing only their contents, using them as a spice rack or tea bag holder. You can choose to leave the boxes without decorations or embellish them with the technique of découpage for a vintage effect of great charm.
Wine boxes for individual bottles are particularly suitable as holders for tea bags of wine for bottles individualFor the recycling of a single bottle wine box, in fact, the measures of the wooden packaging seem to be made to contain the best-selling tea bags on the market.
As regards the spice holder, you can use the box as it is or hang it on the wall, taking care to fix it well and then arrange all the jars so that you can easily reach them when you are cooking. The addition of some aromatic seedlings between a jar of spices and the other, together with the rustic but classy look of wooden boxes, make this idea of reusing wine boxes really elegant and easy to realize.

2. Bookcase

Another very easy idea to recycle wooden wine boxes is to use them as shelves on the wall or to create real bookcases, using the wine boxes as shelves. Thanks to the versatility of these boxes, it is possible to create an infinite number of compositions, for example by alternating empty and full spaces starting from eye-catching geometries or following a more classic design, placing the boxes one on top of the other. A bookcase of this type is particularly suited to rustic or shabby chic environments.

3. Lamp

This idea for the reuse of wine boxes requires good manual skills but the result is aunique piece of furniture , refined and elegant, to be placed in every room of the house to create an atmosphere of relaxation: Here’s how to turn the wine box into a decorative lamp.
One of the simplest methods involves using the box without lid to turn it into a light box, gluing a strip of small led lights a few centimeters from the edge, inside the container. Next, you need to insert instead of the lid a plexiglass plate, glossy or matt according to your taste, which can be decorated with lettering or stylized images.
A second method involves carving the contours of a figure (perhaps a wine bottle or a goblet) with special tools and then inserting a lamp inside the box, taking care to drill a hole in the back for the cable to come out.

4. Cup holder

An elegant and connoisseur’s idea for the recycling of wine boxes is to turn them into decorations for the cellar, and in particular into shelves for storing glasses.
Wine glasses should preferably be stored upside down, to prevent dust from accumulating inside the cup. To avoid small splashes on the edge of the cup, it would also be appropriate that they are raised from the shelfIt is possible to mount inside, on one of the long sides, a special holder for glasses: in most cases, these particular rails are suitable for mounting on wooden elements, such as shelves or recycled wine boxes.
A hanging goblet solution that reuses wooden wine boxes is not only elegant and refined but also practical and functional for perfect storage of glasses.

5. Pet kennel

An original idea to recycle the wooden boxes of wine is finally to turn them into comfortable huts for pets, such as cats or small dogs. The larger wine boxes, which usually hold two or three bottles, are best suited for this type of recycling.
It is possible to cover the bottom with a padded pillow, so as to make the accessory even more comfortable for our four-legged friends. You can also make a bunk in several levels, mounting on the four upper corners of the box wooden blocks that serve as a support to install a second box/ kennel.