From medieval stronghold to icon of hospitality. Il Borro is a microcosm where art, wine, cuisine, and nature come together with a sustainable vision.
A Tuscan fortress transformed into an icon of elegance
Hidden among the rolling, lush hills of the Valdarno, Il Borro is a perfectly restored medieval village. Its origins date back to the 12th century when it was a veritable stronghold, perched on a rocky spur overlooking a ravine, hence the name “borro.” The remains of the ancient walls and stone bridge bear witness to its strategic function in medieval times. Over the centuries, the village passed from one noble family to another, including the Medici, the Hohenlohe-Waldenburg, and finally the Savoy.
It was Duke Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta who acquired the entire estate, covering approximately 1,000 hectares, in the 1950s. But it was in 1993 that the history of Il Borro took a decisive turn: Ferruccio Ferragamo, a frequent visitor during his stays and hunting trips, fascinated by the beauty and potential of the place, decided to purchase it, undertaking extensive restoration work that gave new life to the village and the surrounding estate. Today, he continues to pursue this vision with passion together with his children, Salvatore and Vittoria Ferragamo: the former oversees the wine-making and hospitality activities, while the latter is dedicated to projects related to sustainability and organic farming.
The organic vegetable garden, the beating heart of the agricultural project, covers three hectares cultivated according to biodynamic principles. In addition to vegetables, it is home to a flock of laying hens and dairy sheep, which are used to produce fresh and mature cheeses. The 72 beehives, on the other hand, guarantee the production of organic honey in different varieties, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity.
Osteria del Borro and Tuscan Bistro: fine dining and tradition at the table
Where the village school once stood, there is now a gourmet restaurant—Osteria del Borro—with a highly refined cuisine. It is led by executive chef Andrea Campani, who offers refined dishes rooted in rural tradition, elevated with modern techniques and organic, locally sourced ingredients. Alongside chef Campani is the indispensable resident chef Andrea Godi.
The raw ingredients come directly from the estate's organic garden, from its own farms and from selected small producers, such as the Chianina breed farmers of Casentino and Laura Peri, guardian of the Valdarno chickens. Each dish is designed to tell the story of the region, striking a perfect balance between rusticity and refinement. In addition to the à la carte menu, the restaurant offers three tasting menus: Espressione del Borro – The Tuscan coast – Vegetable creations, based on the farm-to-table principle.
Here, where tourism brings an almost entirely international clientele, the authenticity of Tuscany is not lost. Dishes such as braised pheasant or bottoni pasta stuffed with Casentino trout are convincing, remaining faithful to the land from which they come. The main courses are accompanied by side dishes that almost resemble pre-desserts. Alongside morone, a fried black squid meatball filled with a soft mousse made from its own scraps, served on a passion fruit gel base.
This is followed by beef filet, braised oxtail with marrow foam and shallots. It is accompanied by a tartlet with beef tartare and shallot cooking water spherification, which melts in the mouth. The real pre-dessert, however, is a cucumber sorbet, mint caviar and Borro gin. The dessert again plays with sweet and savory, almost as if not wanting to suggest the end of a perfect, almost fairy-tale dinner, aided by the view of an exceptional full moon watching over Il Borro: chocolate and rosemary alternate between crumble, cubes, and mousse. The petit fours are a treasure chest of chocolate pralines, macarons, and vanilla cream puffs.
“Authenticity and territory are the driving forces behind Il Borro's cuisine. The tasting menus, concentrated in a few courses, highlight the individual ingredients we produce in-house. And then, there is always a surprise for guests outside the menu,” explains chef Andrea Campani, with the smile of someone who is proud to call this place home.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro is the more informal and cosmopolitan side of the gastronomic offering. Created at Il Borro, the format has expanded to Florence, Dubai, Elounda, and Viesca Toscana. Here, Tuscan culinary tradition meets a convivial and modern style, with simple, elegant dishes deeply rooted in seasonality: marinated beetroot carpaccio with ricotta from Il Borro; pappa al pomodoro; ricotta and spinach gnudi with pecorino cheese and truffles; spelt tagliatelle with scamerita ragù and sanbudello. Finally, there are the gelatos of the day made with produce from the garden. Dishes to be enjoyed after a dip in the beautiful infinity pool.
The wine cellar: an architectural masterpiece
Wine is the second soul of the estate, and it is right beneath the village that the Il Borro wine cellar opens up, an underground complex perfectly integrated into the landscape, which is part of the Toscana Wine Architecture circuit. The cellar's underground passages lead to a curved tunnel of French oak barrels and, in the middle, rooms containing historic and vintage bottles. Among these are the very first bottles produced in 1999.
In accordance with the most authentic principles of sustainability, everything is designed with the environment in mind: humidity in the cellar, for example, is regulated simply by gravel that is watered more or less regularly as needed. It is a walk among great wines, but above all, it is a walk through history. Just think that the heart of the cellar is a large stable dating back to the 1700s, which also served as a shelter from the bombings of World War II, thanks to its secret passages that still lead to the villa. The vineyards extend over 85 hectares on soil that once hosted large lakes and is therefore rich in marine fossils. It is these unique conditions that give the wines their distinctive structure, minerality, and great elegance.
Since 2015, all production has been certified organic and the labels reflect the essence of the territory: “Il Borro” IGT Toscana Rosso, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, and Syrah; “Alessandro dal Borro,” 100% Syrah; the classic method “Bolle di Borro”; the pure Sangiovese “Petruna”, vinified in amphorae, and many others. Each bottle is the result of meticulous study of the terroir and a production philosophy that respects nature. To complete the wine experience, the Wine & Art Gallery, located above the cellar, offers a cultural journey through engravings, objects, and stories related to the history of wine and the estate.
Warm hospitality and Tuscan lifestyle
It is much more than a luxury relais or a scattered hotel: it is a world unto itself, a small universe immersed in the countryside, where every detail is cared for with passion by a veritable assembly line of smiles. Il Borro is part of the Relais & Châteaux Association and includes: a completely restored medieval village with 38 elegant and refined suites; three prestigious villas – Dimora Storica, Villa Mulino, and Villa Casetta – and the 20 suites of Le Aie del Borro. In addition to the Relais & Châteaux accommodations, there are “I Borrigiani,” three farmhouses managed as agritourism properties. Guests find themselves catapulted into a refined yet familiar and, of course, bucolic welcome.
In the morning, a rich sweet or savory breakfast awaits guests, ranging from fresh vegetables from the garden with local artisan cured meats and organic eggs to soft homemade cakes. For physical well-being, there is the La Corte Spa, an oasis of regenerating wellness. There are also four panoramic swimming pools, tennis courts, a lounge bar, and exclusive boutiques. Among the most interesting new features is Il Borro Concept: a lifestyle collection that encapsulates the essence of country life reinterpreted in a contemporary key. Accessories, clothing, and objects inspired by the understated elegance and natural tones of the landscape, made with local materials and according to Tuscan craftsmanship.
Tailor-made experiences for every guest
Il Borro's hospitality goes beyond a simple stay. From cooking classes to horseback riding, from vineyard tours with tastings to e-bike excursions, truffle hunting and workshops with local artisans (embroidery and watercolor painting). Each experience is designed to allow guests to enjoy the slow, harmonious pace of the Tuscan countryside.
A sustainable vision with a long-term perspective
Everything at Il Borro is designed with respect for nature. Energy is produced from renewable sources, water is recovered and reused, and the entire management is geared towards circularity and resource conservation. The company's ethical guidelines are now entrusted to Vittoria Ferragamo, who promotes a development model focused on environmental protection, social responsibility, and the enhancement of agricultural traditions. A model that demonstrates how luxury can—and must—also be synonymous with awareness. Il Borro is the result of an “act of faith,” as Ferruccio Ferragamo likes to say, an ambitious project that has transformed a forgotten village into one of the finest examples of Tuscan and international hospitality. Amidst vineyards, olive groves, vegetable gardens, and centuries of silence, it invites you to rediscover the time of slow beauty, to immerse yourself in a complete experience, where every element—from the glass of wine to the design of the suite—tells a true story, rooted in the land of the past but more present than ever.
CONTACTS
Il Borro
Location Il Borro 1, 52024 San Giustino v.no Arezzo
Phone +39.055.977053
Email ilborro@ilborro.it
