Castello Banfi - Living Inside a 12th-Century Borgo

A hotel that is a village in itself

Castello Banfi · Il Borgo is a 12th-century borgo (medieval village) that the Mariani family of New York acquired in 1978 and restored as both winery and hotel, with only 14 suites in the castle itself.

It sits in Montalcino, the heart of Brunello country, one hour from Siena and two from Florence.

The rooms we book

Among the 14 suites of Il Borgo, we recommend:

• Junior Suite · €750–950/night, 45 sqm in the restored annex, vineyard view
• Suite Borgo · €1,100–1,400, inside the main castle, 70 sqm, with fireplace
• Castello Suite · €1,800–2,400, in the tower, with a 360° view

Always request a vineyard view, some rooms face the entrance road rather than the vines.

Sala dei Grappoli - 1 Michelin star

The estate's restaurant sits beneath the castle's vaulted ceilings. Chef Domenico Francone works in Tuscan cuisine using fruit and herbs entirely from the garden, paired with the family's Brunello.

The six-course tasting menu is €165, with wine pairing at €95, open only to hotel guests.

The winery tour

Banfi is the largest winery in Montalcino, 850 hectares, 7 million bottles a year. The tour Wanvela arranges for clients is a private vertical tasting with the enologist, three vintages of Brunello Riserva plus a barrel sample from a vintage still aging.

• Brunello DOCG 2018, drinking now
• Brunello Riserva 2016, at its peak window
• Poggio all'Oro Riserva 2015, the estate's top tier
• Barrel sample 2022, drawn from cask, only for guests

"We don't sell wine, we share what comes out of this land, and we hope you understand why we don't compromise." - Cristina Mariani-May, third-generation owner

Activities on the estate

• Truffle hunting, October to December, with Lagotto dogs and a Tuscan family
• Cooking class, handmade pasta in the castle kitchen
• Horseback riding, across the estate, away from any tourist routes
• Stargazing, Banfi sits inside a dark-sky area, with no city light

Pool and spa

The outdoor pool faces the vineyards, 25 metres, open April through October. The spa, in the castle's lower level, offers wine therapy treatments built around Brunello pulp.

Comparing Tuscan luxury

• Castello Banfi vs Castiglion del Bosco · Castiglion is owned by Massimo Ferragamo, larger and more contemporary, Banfi is older, with real winery production.
• Castello Banfi vs Borgo San Felice · San Felice is in Chianti, beautiful, but Brunello in Montalcino is more serious.
• Castello Banfi vs Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco · Rosewood is polished and the service is exceptional, but Banfi is family-owned, not a chain.

Banfi appears in Wanvela's Italy 7-night itinerary as a two-night stay, read our truffle hunt on the Banfi estate.