Castello Banfi

1978

Castello Banfi began in 1978, when Italian-American entrepreneurs John and Harry Mariani joined forces with Italian winemaker Ezio Rivella to purchase vineyards in southern Tuscany.

Naming of the Estate

The estate received its official name several years later, after the founders acquired the Castello Banfi di Poggio alle Mura castle.

Present Day

Today Castello Banfi is described as a thriving family business known worldwide for the quality of its wines, with more than 800 hectares of vineyards. It is one of Italy's largest landowners. The estate was the first winery in the world to be recognized as fully meeting ethical, social and environmental standards, and it ranks among the leaders in customer satisfaction. It has received numerous honors, including "Best International Winery of the Year" and "Best Italian Winery of the Year," the latter title won nine times.

The estate's vineyards lie in southern Tuscany, in the area around the Castello Banfi di Poggio alle Mura castle, from which the estate takes its official name.

The Mariani family has complete control over its barrel production. Oak is purchased in France and seasoned at the estate for 2 to 3 years before being made into barrels with different levels of toasting, in Banfi's signature 350-liter size.

The winery describes itself as a thriving family business known worldwide for the high quality of its wines. It states that Castello Banfi was the first winery in the world to be recognized as fully meeting ethical, social and, most importantly, environmental standards, and that it ranks among the leaders in customer satisfaction.