In the wine travel feature I’ve traveled to 77 wine regions across the world. Here are the 5 that everyone should visit at least once. republished by AOL on July 12, 2025, freelance wine writer Kathleen Willcox features Castello Banfi as the must-visit winery in Tuscany, describing it as an almost cartoonishly perfect setting for an Italian wine adventure. Willcox, who has visited 77 wine regions across the world as part of her research duties including truffle hunting in Barolo and exploring prison island vineyards in Italy, highlights that Castello Banfi was founded in 1978 by the Long Island-based Mariani family though the history of the Banfi Castle dates back to the medieval era. The article recommends visitors swing in for a day to tour the winery, vineyards, and portions of the castle, or stay for longer to dine at the Michelin-starred La Sala dei Grappoli which serves elevated Puglian and Tuscan cuisine perfectly paired with Castello Banfi’s Brunello wines. Willcox positions Tuscany as one of five essential wine regions everyone should visit at least once alongside Napa Valley, McLaren Vale in Australia, Bordeaux in France, and South Africa’s Breede River Valley, emphasizing that Tuscany is the spiritual home of Italian wine complete with rolling hills populated by olive trees, vineyards, charming farmhouses, medieval castles, and enchanting towns where visitors can taste delectable wines while treating their palate to fresh olive oil, shaved truffles, and homemade pasta in a place that actually looks, feels, and tastes even better than it does in the movies.