Ginny Mariani-Kitt ’82 is a family proprietor of Castello Banfi, Tuscany’s Premier Vineyard Estate and former director of hospitality for Banfi Vintners, founded by her grandfather, John F. Mariani Sr., over 100 years ago. She is the daughter of the late Harry F. Mariani, president emeritus of Banfi Vintners.
Upon graduation from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Ginny joined Banfi’s in-house public relations department to help promote the company’s wines to trade and media before transitioning into the national sales division, where she developed Banfi’s presence in luxury hotels and world-class restaurants across the United States. She subsequently served as the marketing manager for the premier wines of Castello Banfi. In 1993, Ginny became the director of hospitality for the company’s headquarters in Old Brookville, NY, a 60-room Elizabethan manor set in Long Island’s famed “Gold Coast,” until her retirement in 2019. During that time, she shared her passion for food and wine by hosting wine-themed dinners and planning the family’s business functions, for the trade press and international dignitaries.
The Mariani Family was named “Hotelie of the Year” in 2003 by the New York City CHS Chapter. The family was also honored with the 2014 Cornell Icon of the Industry Award on June 3rd in New York City. Ginny is a former Cornell University Council member. She is a Trustee and Board Member of Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider, serving NYC, Long Island and Westchester with compassionate care through research and innovation.
Ginny currently resides in Lloyd Harbor, NY, with her husband (and fellow Cornell graduate) Errol Kitt ’81.