From Fashion to Farming - Swanky Retreats

By: Jarone Ashkenazi

Enter a sanctuary of sustainability, luxury, and most notably—wine in the rolling, sun-drenched hills of Tuscany. Once a forgotten medieval village, Il Borro has become a modern beacon for eco-conscious winemaking, thanks to the vision of Ferruccio Ferragamo and his children. Purchased by the Ferragamo family in 1993, the estate has evolved into a five-star destination where tradition meets innovation, and where wine takes center stage.

Through its tree-lined majestic entrance, guests enter a beautiful Tuscan paradise. With 1,100 hectares of pristine countryside, Il Borro lies in the heart of Valdarno di Sopra, one of Tuscany’s oldest and most promising wine regions. The estate now boasts 85 hectares of organically cultivated vineyards, producing award-winning wines that reflect both the unique terroir and the Ferragamos’ deep-rooted commitment to the land.

At the helm of Il Borro’s wine making is Salvatore Ferragamo, who has led the estate’s transition to fully organic and biodynamic practices. The wines—ranging from elegant reds to crisp whites and a distinctive Vin Santo—are all crafted in the estate’s centuries-old cellar, where traditional techniques meet state-of-the-art sustainability. Guests can visit this atmospheric cellar on curated wine tours that trace every step of the winemaking process, from vineyard to glass.

Il Borro’s immersive wine experiences go far beyond tastings. The Wine & Art Gallery, in the heart of the estate, offers guests an artistic journey through Il Borro’s wine philosophy, combining contemporary art with deep dives into the estate’s vintages. For those seeking a more hands-on experience, Il Borro’s enological workshops invite guests to blend their own wine, participate in harvest activities, or enjoy vertical tastings of some of the estate’s finest labels.

Wine is also a key thread running through Il Borro’s culinary offerings. At Osteria del Borro, Chef Andrea Campani crafts exquisite dishes that highlight the estate’s organic produce and pair perfectly with their wines—like the signature pheasant tortello with black truffle, ideally matched with Il Borro’s bold Syrah or the elegant Polissena Sangiovese. Meanwhile, the Il Borro Tuscan Bistro and Vincafé offer relaxed settings to savor local flavors alongside the estate’s selections, all framed by unforgettable Tuscan views.

Beyond its winemaking, sustainability is ever-present as food plays a central role to its hotel guests and non-resident customers. Gathering produce from its organic farm which respects the season’s cycles, freshness and quality are evident in each of the three dining establishments. The farm estate, with its horses, chickens and Chianina cows, is essential for the production of the materials required for biodynamic methods. All the animals are fed with fodder and organic feed produced on the estate itself and Il Borro is also a beekeeper, which plays a crucial role in the pollination of a wide range of crops and wild plants.

Of course, Il Borro isn’t just about wine—it’s about living the Tuscan lifestyle. The estate includes three private villas, 38 luxury suites, and three charming farmhouses designed with local craftsmanship and sustainable elegance. Each accommodation immerses guests in nature, tranquility, and the rhythms of country life. From walking the vineyard trails at sunrise to sipping a glass of Rosé as the sun sets over the hills, Il Borro invites guests to slow down and savor.

Beyond wine, guests can explore an array of curated experiences: from horseback riding and truffle hunting to artisan workshops where you can try your hand at shoemaking or jewelry design.

To explore Tuscany in more depth, the best choice is Access Italy for a personalized tour of the beautiful region. They’re curators of personalized, off-the-beaten-path Italian experiences for discerning travelers. A typical day in Tuscany can begin with a hot-air balloon ride with champagne breakfast curated by Access Italy before a truffle hunt with trained dogs in the rolling hills of Siena or Arezzo. After finding the edible buried treasures, you will take a cooking class (paired with exquisite Super Tuscan wines, of course) in the elegance of a rustic cellar, creating memories to savor for a lifetime.

To round out the enchanting stay at this village, Spa La Corte provides the link between the unspoiled natural landscape and a relaxing atmosphere that brings harmony and balance to body and mind. The wellness oasis offers a range of high-end facial and body treatments with products by Bakel skin care as well as the exclusive “Sensoriali del Borro”: a body massage with extra virgin olive oil from Il Borro. Guests can enjoy the fitness area, Spa Suite with Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna and relaxation area as well as the swimming pool with breathtaking views of the hilltops and medieval village.

Under the stewardship of Salvatore and his sister Vittoria Ferragamo—who oversees the organic gardens and sustainability projects—Il Borro has become a model for environmentally respectful luxury. From vineyard management to beekeeping, from energy-efficient buildings to biodynamic farming, every aspect of the estate reflects a deep harmony with nature.

At Il Borro, the Ferragamos have done more than restore a village—they’ve created a living, breathing example of how a fashion dynasty can turn its legacy into something profoundly rooted in the earth. For lovers of wine, sustainability, and slow living, Il Borro is more than a destination—it’s a taste of Tuscany as it was meant to be experienced.