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Banfi places hospitality at the heart of its offering

21 July 2025 By db staff writer

Banfi offers best-in-class hospitality experiences to its guests as part of their discovery of the producer’s exceptional wines.

A visit to Castello Banfi is not simply a trip to a winery; it is “an ode to experiencing beauty,” says the Italian producer. Banfi’s atmospheric homestead, a centuries-old stone castle located between Siena and the Maremma, was first mentioned in official documents in 1318.

The castle estate came under Banfi’s ownership in 1983 in a somewhat precarious condition, having sustained damage during the Second World War. Since that moment, it has been lovingly restored and is now home to one of Italy’s finest hospitality experiences, housing a hotel, two restaurants, the Enoteca wine bar, the Balsameria and the Bottle and Glass Museum.

The luxurious Il Borgo hotel, part of the Relais & Chateaux group, in medieval times housed peasants working for the estate’s noble owners, but is now kitted out with tasteful rooms and suites. Clever design brushstrokes have lent the hotel a sense of elegant refinement; the perfect environment in which to sit back and sip a glass of Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Think king-sized beds, swathes of premium fabrics, Tuscan-style armoires and sweeping views over the countryside, bathed in golden sunshine.

Guests looking to venture out can go trekking or e-bike riding through the enchanting hills of Val d’Orcia, where if they are lucky they might just unearth a few prized truffles too.

Fine dining is also a vital cog in the Banfi wheel, with dinner on the shaded terrace at Michelin-starred restaurant La Sala dei Grappoli offering exquisite dishes such as risotto ‘Riserva San Massimo’ with zucchini, monkfish, caciocavallo cheese and tamarind-flavoured Tuscan fish stew sauce; or linguine with basil pesto, potatoes, green beans and cuttlefish. A seven-course tasting menu at the restaurant, complete with wine pairings, is the ultimate indulgence to immerse oneself in the heritage of Banfi’s rich Tuscan gastronomy. If you’re looking to delve into Banfi’s premium wines alongside lighter bites, a wine bar inside the Enoteca offers tastings alongside platters of local cured meats and cheeses, enhanced by Banfi plums and honey, or rich mixed salads. Among the wines available to sample are expressions from Brunello di Montalcino, Bolgheri, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Piedmont and Gavi.

For those hoping to dive a little deeper into local traditions, an on-site museum celebrates the ancient art of glass making, and offers the chance to marvel at a collection of glass dating back to ancient Roman times that is considered to be one of the largest private collections of its kind in the world.

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Meanwhile, the Balsameria is a fascinating place where visitors can discover more about the traditional methods used by the Etruscans to make Condimento Balsamico Etrusco.

Late-harvested grapes are crushed before the filtered must is simmered, allowed to cool and then placed in wooden barrels for four to eight months while the process of “balsamisation” takes place. The final balsamic vinegar, which is available to purchase from the Balsameria, makes an ideal seasoning for risotto, omelettes or fish that has been grilled, baked or cooked in a “papillote”.

Thanks to its unique sweet-sour flavour, it can also be drizzled over desserts such as fresh berries or vanilla ice cream. Pick up a bottle to take home from your travels along with your favourite Banfi wines, selected after participating in a guided tour of the producer’s winery and vineyards.

Constant research

Founded in 1978, Banfi is synonymous with Brunello di Montalcino, thanks to its constant research into Sangiovese and everything that surrounds it. The winery has carried out numerous detailed studies on the grape variety, with this research leading to the “zoning” of different areas of Sangiovese within the Banfi estate, a process which began in 1980 and which allows the soils to express different characteristics of the grape. A clonal selection project has further elevated the quality of Sangiovese grapes grown here, as well as the final Banfi wines.

Furthermore, Banfi’s Brunello wines have been awarded the prestigious Equalitas certification, which guarantees the traceability of the entire production cycle, from sustainable agricultural practices in the vineyards to green processes in the cellar and during bottling. It means that consumers can feel confident when uncorking a bottle of Banfi Brunello that all due care has been paid to the environment and to the protection of this extraordinary corner of Italy for the enjoyment of future generations.