Banfi Vintners was founded in 1919 in Old Brookville, New York in the United States of America, initially as wine importers and seller importers. John Mariani, Jr., son of founder Giovanni F. Mariani, graduated from Cornell University in the 1950s and then pursued two years of viticultural studies in Europe. In 1964, and upon his return to the US, the second generation–John F. Mariani, Jr. (CEO) and his younger brother Harry (sales, marketing)–took over. John’s long term strategic vision saw him become Chief Executive Officer. With his brother Harry, John Mariani, Jr. was behind the realization of his “impossible dream:” the birth of Castello Banfi, in 1978, in Montalcino, Tuscany. John Mariani, Jr.’s daughter is Cristina Mariani. She represents the third generation of the family comprises Cristina Mariani (John’s daughter) and James (Harry’s son).