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Famous winery (also Banfi or Villa Banfi) based in the mountain town of Montalcino in the Italian region of Tuscany. It was founded in 1978 by the Italian-Americans Harry and John Mariani from New York, who had become very wealthy by importing Lambrusco. The total estate covers almost 3,000 hectares of land. About 850 hectares of it are planted with vines and are located at an altitude of 250 to 400 metres above sea level. The individual grape varieties are planted at different optimal altitudes to ensure good results. The most important are Brunello = Sangiovese clone (150 ha), Chardonnay (95 ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (143 ha), Montepulciano, Moscato (Muscat Blanc), Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris, Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), Sauvignon Blanc (42 ha), Sémillon and Syrah. 80% of the vineyards are irrigated from artificially created lakes. Attached to the winery are a large restaurant and a wine shop.

The oenologist and pioneer Dr. Ezio Rivella, who is considered one of the most distinctive personalities in Italian viticulture, was instrumental in setting up the estate. Enrico Viglierchio has been the managing director since 2001. Swiss oenologist Rudy Buratti is responsible for winemaking. The owner interests are represented by Cristina Mariani and her cousin James Mariani.

The high-tech winery in Sant'Angelo Scali (near Montalcino) is one of the most modern in the world. Here, all wine-making steps from the grape mill to fermentation and bottling are computer-controlled. There is another estate in Piedmont with a winery in Strevi. The DOCG wines Barolo, Brachetto d'Acqui, Brunello di Montalcino (single vineyards Poggio alle Mura and Poggio all'Oro), Chianti-Classico and Gavi, the DOC wines Moscadello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino (Centine), as well as the IGT wines "Excelsus"(Bordeaux blend) and "Summus" (Sangiovese, CS, Syrah) are produced. Around 14 million bottles of wine are produced annually.

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Roman Horvath MW

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Roman Horvath MW
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