Fine wines are just part of this remarkable Tuscan destination

Photo courtesy of Il Borro

Ferruccio Ferragamo calls the restoration of Il Borro, an ancient Tuscan village turned modern luxury estate and winery, “an act of faith that lasts over time.”

Located about an hour’s drive southeast of Florence, this sprawling, 2,700-acre Relais & Châteaux resort features everything from vineyards, olive groves and an organic farm to accommodation, spa, golf, horseback riding and numerous bars and restaurants, including the highly rated, high-end, farm-to-table Osteria Il Borro.

But not so long ago, it was quite a different story. Credit the famous Ferragamo family for saving this beautiful, historic property from a tragic ending.

Photo courtesy of Il Borro

An estate revived

The borgo—or hamlet—of Il Borro dates back to Roman times when it was a strategic fortress between the competing cities of Florence and Arezzo in the Arno River valley. Over the centuries since, it has both prospered and fallen on hard times, and changed hands nearly as often.

The castle belonged to the noble Dal Borro family from 1254 to 1344, when it was ceded to the Florentines. It was returned to the Dal Borros in 1644, but had fallen into a state of decline by 1834, when it passed to Count Della Torre Hoffer Valsassina, who improved both the land and the living conditions of the people living on the estate. In 1903, Il Borro was purchased by Prince Emanuele Filiberto, the Duke of Aosta, who passed away in 1931.

And then came the Second World War, which almost destroyed Il Borro. The entire estate was badly damaged by bombs, the 19th-century villa mined by the retreating German army and the medieval village largely abandoned and left to deteriorate for decades.

In 1990, Ferruccio Ferragamo, eldest son of the legendary Florentine shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo, bought the village, attracted by its nature, beauty and his own childhood memories. Today, his children, Salvatore, CEO, and Vittoria, head of sustainability and special projects, continue the family’s legacy.

In 1993, the Ferragamos began meticulously restoring the property to its authentic, ancient splendour. The result is nothing short of remarkable.

The intention was to combine past, present and future while respecting traditions and the environment. The family hired local artisans and other workers to restore the structures damaged in the war, beginning with historic buildings of the medieval village. The old houses are now suites where guests can stay in modern comfort but surrounded by vintage charm. A collection of nearby farmhouses and private villas also offers quieter agritourism stays for families and larger groups.

Super Tuscan wines

But the Ferragamos also realized that they were entrusted with this beautiful, precious land, and set about improving the landscape as well as the. buildings on it. Today the property includes 210 acres of vineyards, 82 acres of olive groves and more than seven acres of organic horticulture, as well as more than 100 beehives.

Wine and vegetables alike are organically grown and adhere to the United Nations Global Compact. In fact, sustainability is key to every aspect of Il Borro, from using renewable energy sources to abandoning chemical fertilizers and pesticides to preserving seeds for future crops.

It was Salvatore who led the wine initiative. He studied the property’s terroir, microclimates and soil composition. He recovered historic vineyards and planted new ones; restored the existing grape varieties and introduced new vines that he believes have the greatest potential to succeed. The result has been a series of Super Tuscan and other wines that are highly rated by the major critics, especially the flagship, Il Borro Toscana (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah), which earned 97 points from James Suckling for the 2021 vintage.

In 2024, the family expanded their wine holdings by acquiring Azienda Agricola Pinino in the historic Brunello di Montalcino appellation. Founded in 1874 and one of the pioneering estates in the Consortium, Pinino gives the family the opportunity to explore the elegance, complexity and potential of Sangiovese.

Il Borro is located on gentle slopes 300 to 500 metres above sea level, a land of great beauty and bountiful potential. Food, wine, past, future, authenticity and culture all come together here in this classic Tuscan landscape. Little wonder then that Ferragamo notes that his family’s purpose is “to be aware that we ourselves are guests of this land, that therefore we must take care of it for our successors.”

Two to try

Il Borrigiano Il Borro 2019
(Valdarno di Sopra DOC, Tuscany, Italy, $50)
Super Tuscan red blend; fresh red cherry, white pepper; refreshing, energetic.

Polissena Il Borro 2018
(Valdarno di Sopra DOC, Tuscany, Italy, $74)
Sangiovese; red fruit, forest floor, balanced and elegant.

Il Borro, San Giustino Valdarno, Province of Arezzo, Italy
For more information, visit ilborro.it

Vitis Magazine

Vitis is is an indispensable seasonal guide for vintners, sommeliers and weekend imbibers alike that is dedicated to British Columbia’s rapidly evolving wine culture.