04 August 2009
Castello Banfi, Tuscanys foremost vineyard estate, has added a new feather to its cap, as the recipient of the Italian Governments highest recognition for winery hospitality
Castello Banfi, Tuscany’s foremost vineyard estate, has added a new feather to its cap, as the recipient of the Italian Government’s highest recognition for winery hospitality.
This latest accolade comes from Italy’s Movimento Turismo del Vino (Wine Tourism Movement), a national organization dedicated to upholding a “Wine Country Hospitality Code of Ethics.” The award guarantees visitors a genuine, memorable experience that equates to the highest levels of hospitality and professionalism.
“For my family, extending a warm welcome to consumers and visitors at Castello Banfi has always been a priority. Castello Banfi was an early pioneer of winery hospitality in Italy, dating back to an era when cellar doors were typically closed to all but a few wine industry insiders. We are proud to have helped set the standard and prouder still to stand shoulder to shoulder with neighbors who also embrace this concept and join us in showering guests with an extraordinary Tuscan experience.” -- Banfi family proprietor Cristina Mariani-May
The Movimento Turismo del Vino conducts a series of anonymous inspector visits to wineries before assigning its rating. Criteria for judging (reevaluated every three years) include:
• Clarity and quality of signage leading to the winery
• Cleanliness, accessibility and overall attraction of winery facilities featured in the tour,
• The manner, skills and language accessibility of winery hosts
• The level of welcome guests can expect, and the manner in which tours are conducted
• Quality of guest accommodations, including ease of parking, access to restrooms, etc.
Arguably the most visitor-friendly winery in Tuscany, Castello Banfi offers an array of attractions, including:
• Daily winery tours
• Wine bar service, and flights of wine by the glass paired with tasting plates of local Tuscan cheeses and cured meats
• An authentic taste of Tuscan cooking at La Taverna, a delightful restaurant offering lunch and dinner
• A magnificent store offering Castello Banfi wines, extra virgin olive oil, honey and salsa etrusca, as well as a selection of local crafts and ceramics
• A museum housing an extraordinary collection of ancient and contemporary glassware celebrating the historical relationship between glass and wine.
The newest jewel in this hospitality crown is Castello Banfi – Il Borgo, 14 luxury rooms and suites, an open-air swimming pool with spectacular views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside, a pergola-covered cloister garden, and a reading room located within the castle keep.