BERKSHIRE, U.K., WINTER 2009 – The wines of Castello Banfi, represented by Castello Banfi family proprietor, Cristina Mariani-May, were recently the centerpiece of a spectacular formal dinner held at Cliveden, one of England’s most legendary country estates.Now one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, Cliveden was for much of the previous century the country retreat of the English branch of America’s Astor family. Over the course of the past three centuries, the property has played host to every British monarch since George I.
And so it was that on a recent winter’s evening Cliveden played host to Castello Banfi, with an exclusive four-course dinner, attended by VIP members of Cliveden’s private club, showcasing
Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio, BelnerO, Brunello Poggio alle Mura and Florus Moscadello di Montalcino. Dinner was held in Cliveden’s famed French Dining Room, adorned with wood paneling shipped by William Astor from Château d’Asnières near Paris, a former home of the Mme. de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV.
The evening at Cliveden, which memorably started out for Ms. Mariani-May with a ride to the estate in Cliveden’s chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, capped a week of highlights, not least of which was a high-profile tasting and seminar on Castello Banfi’s Great Vintage Brunellos at Decanter magazine’s annual Food and Wine Encounter.