Poggio alle Mura: The Brunello that defines Banfi

Although Poggio alle Mura is one of the more celebrated wines in Tuscany, it isn't just a Brunello di Montalcino. It is also the name of the castle and vineyards at the heart of Banfi, which tell the story of the family and their journey in Tuscan wine. Poggio alle Mura today stands for investment, commitment and innovation across five decades, from the Mariani family's arrival in Montalcino in 1978 to the release of the Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino 2021.

A vision taking shape

Dating from at least the 11th century, the castle of Poggio alle Mura took its current form in 1438. A stronghold in the wars between Siena and Florence, it passed through many noble hands but by the late 20th century it had fought its final battle – damage from the Second World War had left it in a precarious state.

Rather than build a new home, the Mariani family took on the castle's restoration and became the latest of its stewards, bringing the building fully into Banfi ownership by 1983.

As early as 1676, records show that olives and vines were grown on the property. Alongside the castle restoration, the Mariani family worked to understand the secrets of their terroir. Detailed studies and clonal research on Sangiovese in the early 1980s provided the foundation for the Poggio alle Mura vineyards.

A benchmark for excellence

‘Poggio alle Mura is more than a wine; it is the story of Banfi itself. It reflects where we started, the vision that brought my father, John, to Montalcino, and the values that continue to guide us today,’ reflects CEO Cristina Mariani-May.

Today, the castle offers guests an authentic Tuscan welcome that connects wine, hospitality and culture, with accommodation at the Relais & Châteaux Hotel Il Borgo, the opportunity to dine at the one Michelin star La Sala dei Grappoli or to break bread at the more casual La Taverna.

There is also a glass museum with three archaeological collections that have been assembled by the Banfi Foundation, now numbering over 250 pieces spanning the 9th to 1st century BCE.

The bridge to the future

‘From the vineyards to the table, from the castle to our hospitality, Poggio alle Mura embodies a Tuscan lifestyle rooted in authenticity, beauty, and generosity. It is not only a symbol of excellence, but a bridge connecting our heritage with the future of Banfi,’ Mariani-May says.

That future encompasses work on sustainability, climate-adapted viticulture and site expression, all of which bear fruit in the Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino 2021, where the work of the last five decades is articulated. It is a wine that conveys the high quality, low-yielding 2021 growing season, with exceptional ageing potential and a refined terroir expression.

‘Great wine is inseparable from great experiences,’ Mariani-May points out, just as Poggio alle Mura – the castle, the wine, the project – is inseparable from the work of the Mariani family today.

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