The Castello Banfi Pavilion offers a complete sensory immersion into a fertile microcosm that embodies Banfi’s philosophy. This space is not merely a celebration of wine but a multifaceted narrative that intertwines a centuries-old love for the land with a continual search for balance between innovation and tradition. Here, wine becomes a tangible symbol of the patient, meticulous work of transforming the landscape and the people who inhabit it, contributing to the creation of the genius loci that characterizes the timeless harmony of the Tuscan territory.
Entering the Banfi Pavilion means stepping into an evocative, deeply experiential and emotional dimension, capable of engaging the senses in a collective ritual. Two large blocks of burnt chestnut wood, connected by sturdy truss beams, define the architectural space in a powerful and symbolic way. The first block, tall and narrow, greets the visitor with a "medieval aroma" that acts as an entry filter, while the second, positioned opposite, houses a kitchen, storage areas, and a staircase leading to the upper floor. Here, intimate spaces welcome visitors for exclusive tastings, a journey through the many nuances of Banfi wines, each with a unique story to tell.
The sensory experience is further heightened by semi-transparent membrane sails that stretch along the sides of the pavilion: projected on them are evocative images of sunlit hills, trees swayed by the wind and touched by rain, and shadows dancing in a fascinating blend of rural and urban landscapes. Scents of Mediterranean vegetation, sounds, and light effects intermingle, immersing visitors in the reflections of a wine that narrates the land it originates from.
Every detail of the pavilion is designed to evoke Tuscany. The dark walls are treated with the ancient Japanese “Shou Sugi Ban” technique, similar to the toasting of barrels, which gives the wood a unique texture and durability. The floor, left in raw iron, recalls the robustness of the earth, while the untreated natural larch wood, reminiscent of wine crates ready for travel, is infused with essential oils of mastic and helichrysum, plants symbolic of the Mediterranean scrub. Every element is a celebration of raw materials and artisanal craftsmanship, a tribute to the Tuscan land that comes alive through the textures, aromas, and flavors that define Banfi’s essence.
The Banfi Pavilion is not just an exhibition but an emotional, multi-sensory journey, an experience that reflects the same depth and complexity of Banfi wines, leading each visitor on a path of discovery and wonder.
