Castello Banfi’s Ristorante Banfi has become the first ever restaurant situated in a winery to be awarded a Michelin star in Italy’s red guide.
The restaurant, built into the keep of the estate’s castle, is described in the Michelin guide as ‘a charming and elegant restaurant in one of Italy’s loveliest 13th Century vineyard castles.’ The Estate is in the hamlet of Poggio alle Mura, near Montalcino, in Tuscany.
The cuisine is modern Mediterranean, with a bias towards fresh local ingredients, particularly meat and fish. Chef Guido Haverkock – who trained at La Pergola in Rome – designs the menus to reflect Banfi’s wines.
The estate’s Super Tuscan wines, Summus and Centine, are on the list. Classics such as Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino, alongside the single-vineyard reserve Poggio all’Oro, feature as well. White wines, also grown on the estate, include a pinot grigio, a sauvignon blanc and a chardonnay.
‘This star honours the outstanding cuisine and service of chef Guido Haverkock and his team, and is an affirmation of the range and quality of our wines,’ said Castello Banfi proprietor Cristina Mariani-May.
Ristorante Banfi was one of 23 new entries in the 2004 Italy Red guide.
Written by Frances Robinson
