Banfi 1st winery in the world

Banfi wines has some very interesting history behind it. It involves

the pope, his chief of staff before and during his reign and her family. Teodolinda Banfi a patriarch, inspiration, general, and mother was the inspiration to Banfi wines, started by her nephew John Mariani, born in Connecticut raised in Italy what he must have seen growing up never the wiser he was watching his future come to life. Teodolinda was the head of staff for Pope Pius XI even before he became Pope and was known as Cardinal Ratti. She was the one who chose all of the wine he would drink with his meals and make sure everyone knew their job, a formidable personality but took charge like a 5 star general, never escaping the eyes of her nephew John Mariani the future creator and visionary of Banfi. Banfi wines and exports was started in New York in 1919 right when prohibition was getting to start. John Mariani just had what we would call dumb luck to start a business at this time, but this man was a visionary. Instead of shutting his business down and calling it quits he transformed his business and started exporting herbs, spices and medicinal bitters from Italy, travelling back and forth from the US still taking the time to seek out and taste Italy, France and Germany's finest wines. A true pioneer in the wine world, he is and was a driving force, visionary, entrepreneur and personality beyond his time.

Today Banfi is a leading export and import company of wine specializing in Italian wines and venturing into Chilean wines, they also export their own vinification to over 50 countries worldwide. Still family owned and operated today located in Old Brookville, NY, they also have their estate in Tuscany, Italy. 

Banfi was the first winery in the world to achieve exceptional enviormental, social and ethical responsibility, leadership and customer satisfaction awards, along with 2010 Wine Pioneering award and best Italian wines 12 years running. I definitly think its safe to say, if its not broke don't fix it. 

Banfi's Chianti Classico Riserva is a great wine that represents the classical tastes of Italian vinicultural and is a great wine for anyone wanting to get into Italian Red wines without getting your palate overwhelmed. A very subtle nose of cherry, spice and earth, the taste is a creamy texture of chocolate spice and a subtle finish of cherry vanilla. Food recommendations with this would be grilled meats, pasta dishes, tomato based dishes, and creamy textured cheeses.