Immaculately manicured gardens, stark teal shutters pressing against curious burgundy vines, and historic masonry suspended between the past and the present offer a precious sanctuary in the heart of Tuscany.
Welcome to Il Borro.
The romantic five-star wine resort owned by Ferruccio Ferragamo magically melds the lingering medieval atmosphere of the 13th century with a modern wellbeing oasis.
Once a fortress built to defend two important Roman roads in 1254, the exquisite estate has been transformed into luxury suites, villas (Il Borro Relais & Chateaux) and rustic country farm houses (I Borrigiani) for guests to experience the perfect continuum between past, present and future.
Ferragamo, the son of Italy’s renowned shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo, bought the charming village in 1993 from Prince Amedeo, Duke of Savoy-Aosta, after falling in love with the historic property eight years earlier.
Still bearing the scars of World War II, the ancient property was extensively refurbished by Ferragamo and his family who went to great lengths to preserve its treasured history.
From making eco-sustainable choices to recruiting local labour, Il Borro was given the breath of life with ethical considerations to further safeguard its integrity and beauty to create a “place like no other”.
Vineyards, olive groves and honey are cultivated with natural fertilisers, solar panels and electric vehicles, also part of Il Borro’s eco-sustainability mission.
Boasting rich art and culture from Florence, Arezzo and Siena, every stone and alley oozes ancient memories from the Medici dynasty, while artisans recreate the old charm through their jewellery, shoes, textiles and ceramics using traditional techniques.
If taking a refreshing dip in the Villa Casetta’s infinity pool, sleeping in the heart of the vineyards, or taking in the beauty of the gardens at Villa Il Borro becomes a bit too mundane – if that’s even possible – the estate offers a vast assortment of other unique experiences.
A wine tasting tour links tradition with the modern and concludes eight metres underground after following each stage of a grape’s transformation into fine vino.
The Wine & Art gallery features 500 artworks from part of Ferruccio’s private collection. Pieces illustrate the artists’ impressions of wine culture with some of paintings dating back to the 15th century.
Horseback riding through the Tuscan countryside, hiking, spa days, Osteria del Borro (gourmet dining), cooking classes, property tours, truffle hunting, vegetable harvests, guided excursions to nearby cities including Siena, Florence, Arezzo and Cortona, and artisanal boutique workshops; Busatti (sewing and crochet), Palaia (shoe making), Oro del Borro (jewellery making), will also keep guests entertained.
Whether it’s the Capanna, an elegant building surrounded by beautiful gardens and a tranquil pool; the Poggio Piano, a charming farmhouse with four spacious apartments; or the Mulino, a cozy converted mill nestled in the forest beside a creek, catching some shut-eye will be a test for guests easily distracted by natural beauty.
For further information and bookings, contact Australian Business and Conference Travel, Il Borro’s official Australian representative. Email: [email protected] Tel: +61 2 9222 7777
