Destination: Castello Banfi
by Jim Langford

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If your clients are going to rent a vehicle to tour the country, emphasize to them the importance of reviewing the laws of the road and the signs in each country. My biggest problem was with road signs. To drive overseas, especially in Italy, requires the heart of a lion, the courage of a bull and the reactions of a mongoose. However, after three days you find yourself driving like everyone else. Fast.

On Sunday, after everyone had arrived at the farmhouse and explored Cortona, we found a store where we bought some necessary supplies. Then it was time to settle in to our first evening meal. That night set the pattern for the next two weeks. When dinner was prepared at the house, it was served in a huge dining room, next to the great room I mentioned last month, where we could watch the night slowly fall around us on the Tuscan foothills. These were evenings we all will remember fondly.

Monday actually turned into a day for recuperation and relaxing. Most of our party did not wake up in time for breakfast. I can only say it was a very quiet morning. I was up early, trying to figure out the eccentricities of two coffee pots. Sal, also an early riser, fixed breakfast for the two of us. That’s when we discovered the “Eggs of Italy.”

The eggs we had in Italy have a very unique flavor and the yolks are almost orange. It was a special treat and something to look forward to every morning. That afternoon and evening took us back to Cortona as we continued to explore the narrow streets, alleys, shops and cafes of this picturesque mountain enclave.

It would be sacrilege to spend two weeks in Italy and not visit a winery. Although stomping the juice out of the grape with bare feet has gone the way of technology. That Tuesday my wife and I headed for what is one of the most extensive and finest wineries in Tuscany, Castello Banfi in Montalcino. We also had reserved a table at their restaurant for a five-course gourmet dinner that evening.

A point to remember for your clients. During the summer, Europe is packed with thousands of people wanting to see the same museum, attraction or ancient ruin, and they’re all lining up for tickets in the same places. When you can, make reservations for them. It saves a lot of time.

Our trip to Castello Banfi was an exciting driving adventure as we took the scenic route, which is a small two-lane road that winds through the Tuscan hills. Every mountain town along the way looks the same, but different. The architecture is of the period. The locale offers something different. It is difficult to not stop and explore every one.

We did stop in Chianciano at an archeological museum, which preserves the history and development of the Etruscan civilization. With an admission price of four euros, it was well worth the visit.

We finally reached Castello Banfi in time for our 4:00 tour. As with all wineries, you never see the wine being processed. Production has become so technically correct, everything is controlled by computers, and to exact formulas. Which is good for the consumer. However, the history of the winery, the extent of the facilities and the humor of our guide certainly made it a worthwhile effort.

And then we had dinner.

For me, aside from the time spent in our farmhouse and having that as a base of operations, this was the highlight of the trip. We enjoyed excellent service, fantastic food, the opportunity to talk with the chef and had a thoroughly memorable experience.

The entire meal lasted almost four hours. Each course was complimented by the individual selections of wine. The first course featured a fillet of encrusted bream with a gazpacho sauce that was so light it almost took your breath away. The second was a pasta in a venison sauce with mushrooms and raspberries. The entrée was a herb crusted beef fillet that was exquisitely tender. The cheese selection was formidable and highlighted by the wine. And then we had dessert. Apricots poached in Moscadello with a vanilla and lavender ice cream, accented by a sweet, nicely chilled white wine, a Florus 2003.

The next day we went to Siena where the rest of our party had spent their day. They went to the winery for the tour and lunch. A very pleasant aspect of this trip was everyone planned their days separately, and then we were able to compare notes every evening. That definitely is the best way for a large group to spend a vacation together.

Next month, we will look at where to send your clients in Firenze and Siena.

Jim Langford is the president of the Pharmer Group, A communications consulting firm based in Florida.