Borgo Pignano Volterra

Deep in the heart of historic Tuscany lies an enchanting haven of peace and tranquillity. At Borgo Pignano you will discover a beautifully restored country estate offering an exclusive combination of elegant accommodation, exceptional comfort and gracious hospitality.

Borgo Pignano is an elegant country estate in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, just a short drive from the historic, hill towns of Volterra and San Gimignano and within easy reach of the medieval cities of Florence and Siena and the vineyards of Chianti.

Borgo Pignano sits in the center of 750-acres of much cherished organic farmland and features a luxurious 18th century villa and a hamlet first settled in Etruscan times.

Today, this sensitively restored and privately owned Borgo, offers warm and gracious hospitality in a tranquil setting about 500 meters above sea level, with some of the most commanding views in all of Tuscany that can stretch to the Mediterranean. Borgo Pignano provides an experience, steeped in the soul of Tuscany.

The fields are planted with grains and cereals grown from heritage seeds. Our seasonal vegetable gardens produce a wide variety of foods that are in the earth in the morning and on the table later in the day.

We produce traditional organic food, Tuscan breads, natural honeys and preserves, as well as a delicious cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil. A young vineyard has been planted and the first production of organic red and white wine should occur during 2018.

The link between the countryside and the interiors are evident everywhere: flowers from the gardens are displayed in arrangements throughout the villa, farmhouses and apartments; seasonal menus reflect vegetables and fruits that are at their finest; bathrooms stock toiletries made from plants and flowers grown on the estate; and, in winter, open fireplaces glow with timber harvested from the surrounding woodlands.

Two nature reserves, teeming with local flora and fauna, border Pignano’s land.

THE HISTORY
Today Borgo Pignano is an elegant countryside hotel in Tuscany, but like other spots in this glorious countryside, it was first settled during Etruscan times. Large stones at the base of the church, villa and some of the outlying walls are vestiges of the people who lived here over 2,500 years ago.

During the past 900 years Borgo Pignano has been the scene of battles, pillaging by warring hordes and the Great Plague. It has served as a hospital, prospered as a collection of tenant farms and survived the grim hardships of World War II.

The first official record of Pignano is from 1139 just before work began on the hamlet’s Romanesque Parish Church, San Bartolomeo Apostolo. In 1214, The Order of St Anthony created a hospital on the site but it wasn’t completed until 1246 because of local feuds. The hospital operated for over two hundred years.

In the late 17th Century Borgo Pignano was acquired by the Incontri family, and the Marchese Ludovico, the second Lord Incontri, transformed Pignano from a humble farmstead into a grand countryseat. He made many architectural changes and the stately villa took on its current form with two long wings and a central courtyard.

Thereafter Pignano was a working estate, with many tenant farms. It survived World War II largely unscathed, although shell damage is still visible on the church walls. Pignano was liberated by the American Army in July 1944.

After the end of World War II, the local Pignano community, which, prior to 1939, had consisted of around 60 people, slowly dwindled as the pace of Italian industrialization increased.

The Borgo passed through different hands until, in 2000, the current owners embarked on a painstaking restoration and rejuvenation of all the buildings, gardens and surrounding acreage.

Today, Borgo Pignano is more comfortable and productive than ever, and has become one of the most genteel country estates in Tuscany.

THE FARM
At the heart of Borgo Pignano is an organic farm which provides a high proportion of the ingredients used by our kitchens and in our toiletries.

The farm produces olives, cereals and grains which play an important part in our quest for self-sufficiency. Pignano produces its own range of organic flours (used to make artisanal bread and pizza in traditional wood-burning ovens), pastas, and honey.

We also produce free-range eggs, fruits, nuts, seeds and cold pressed Tuscan olive oil as well as feed for the estate’s chickens, pigs and horses.

The Villa, farmhouses and apartments have all been restored and decorated using environmentally friendly products and materials such as locally sourced stone and reclaimed slate, organic plasters and eco-paints.

Wherever possible, we protect and support our natural environment and use both innovative and traditional farming techniques. We are actively improving the soil conditions and decreasing the need for irrigation.

We have successfully experimented with swales, a natural system for retaining rainwater and preventing soil erosion – the first time this has been done in Tuscany.

The heating and hot water systems within the Villa are fueled by solar panels and chip-fired boilers which are fed by wood harvested from the estate’s forests. Pignano’s gardens are fed with filtered harvested rainwater, while natural and manmade lakes supply irrigation for the farmland.

To further add to the estate’s low-impact environmentally friendly philosophy, Borgo Pignano has installed two Tesla charging points in the hotel’s parking area. Another positive addition to Pignano’s ongoing quest for a greater level of sustainability.

We tend a broad cross-section of flowers and plants that attract bees, give rise to the finest Millefiori flavoured honey and, most importantly, help with the pollination of vegetables and fruit trees.

Guests are invited to learn about bee-keeping and the traditional methods for extracting honey and beeswax while understanding the social structure linking the Queen bee, drones and worker bees.

The grounds of Borgo Pignano estate are extensive – approximately 300 hectares, and here we grow organic olives, cereals from ancient seeds and biologic crops. Our seasonal vegetable gardens produce a wide variety of foods that go from the garden to the kitchen and thence to the table.

We have started producing our own Tuscan Vermentino white wine and Ciliegiolo and Colorino red wines. We encourage guests to visit the adjoining MonteRosola winery which produces fine wines.

We make artisanal breads, organic pastas, stone-ground flours, cold pressed olive oils, honeys, herbs, jams, soaps and other toiletries using traditional Tuscan techniques. All are available for sale.

At Borgo Pignano natural and sustainable agriculturale growing methods improve the structure of the soil and increase the fertility of the farm, orchards, olive groves, vineyard and vegetable gardens.

This type of ‘no harm’ farming and plant production has been popular for many generations in Tuscany and promotes a self-supporting eco-system.

We prefer to grow heritage varieties of vegetables and fruits, native to Tuscany, which mean that guests can enjoy the freshest ingredients bought to them daily as they are harvested from the organic vegetable gardens, fruit orchards and farm.

We encourage guests to visit our organic vegetable gardens to see how our fruits and vegetables are grown. Our aromatic gardens provide the seasonal flavours and aromas for the restaurants’ dishes.

Our in-house herbalist gathers wild and cultivated herbs for use in the kitchen and for tisanes, perfumes and scented oils. We offer tours of the herb gardens and are happy to explain how we use these plants in our menus and products.

Besides a rich selection of famous Tuscan organic and biodynamic wines, we have introduced in our restaurants our own Vermentino white wine and Ciliegiolo and Abrusco nero di Toscana red wines grown in our vineyards and made in the Pignano’s winery.

These native grapes types, were grown without making use of any chemical product to provide the perfect environment for a fully sustainable plant production.

A glass of chilled white Vermentino will accomplish light seafood lunches whilst, more intense Abrusco nero di Toscana and Ciliegiolo, end on a pleasant note tasteful pasta-based dinners.

ROOMS & SUITES
Borgo Pignano’s main building is an 18th century villa surrounded by traditionally planted English gardens overlooking pristine landscapes of Tuscany that have changed little since Renaissance times.

Perched on a hilltop, the villa accommodation offers stunning views of olive groves, vineyards, fields and woods. There are fourteen elegant rooms and suites, some with original frescoes and all with en-suite marble and travertine bathrooms.

A grand stone staircase leads to the upper stories and an elevator serves all floors of the villa. Wi-Fi is available throughout the estate.

SIGNATURE SUITES
Our two signature suites offer total seclusion and have exceptional views of Tuscany. These suites have king or queen beds, a sitting room and capacious luxurious en-suite bathrooms with freestanding roll-top baths and glass enclosed showers.

One suite features a ceiling with original period frescoes and a small balcony overlooking the lawned terrace. The other suite of the villa can accommodate one or two couples and has views of the swimming pool and countryside.

VILLA LA FONTE
Our Villa, La Fonte, is surrounded by Mediterranean aromatic gardens, orchards and fields and sits beside one of the estate’s natural lakes.

La Fonte is particularly suitable for families and groups of friends. It is works well for retreats or family reunions. Yoga, painting, music, cooking and cycling groups have all lodged here. This spectacular villa is located within walking distance to Borgo Pignano’s main facilities.

The villa has five luxury bedrooms with king, queen or twin beds, all featuring ensuite bathrooms. Villa La Fonte has a large covered porch with views of the lake, a fully equipped kitchen, an elegant and spacious living room plus a private car parking area.

A beautiful heated swimming pool and a tranquil sundeck are available in exclusive use for the guests accommodating there.

LA CANONICA
This property dates from the 13th Century and provides an opportunity to stay in an architecturally significant building a few steps across the courtyard from the villa.

La Canonica, the Priest’s house, adjoins the ancient church of San Bartolomeo and contains exceptional original features such as medieval stonework, archways, columns, vaulted ceilings, terracotta floors and restored medieval frescoes.

La Canonica can be used as one large three bedroom, private house or independently as two separate suites (San Bartolomeo & Il Pievano Suites). The building offers a shared entrance hall, elegant sitting room, TV room and a fully equipped mediaeval kitchen with refectory table.

A 2-bedroom suite and 1-bedroom Suite are located on the upper floor. La Canonica also features a courtyard garden draped in vines and provides a quiet spot for a morning coffee or pre-dinner aperitivo.

DINING
At a time when moments of relaxation few and far between, your dining experience at Borgo Pignano will be filled with a sense of nature and well-being. We provide breakfasts made to be lingered over, al-fresco meals in a relaxed open-air setting and gourmet dinners in our formal restaurant.

Wherever you choose to dine you will can enjoy excellent service in a tasteful setting. Everything starts from our home-grown or locally sourced raw materials and we are careful to harvest vegetables and fruits at their peak.

In the Bakery, breads are produced with sourdough, while pastries and fresh pasta come from a fine selection of ancient wheat flours produced from grains grown on the property.

Pignano’s free-range pigs and hens provide eggs and meat for our restaurant, while our bees produce the honey, our olive groves and vineyard help generate our oils and wine. Our creative approach to food can be enjoyed in to two different dining experiences.

Here you can sample a creative and innovative cuisine of the territory where the ingredients take centre stage. Our cuisine is complimented with an extensive selection of organic and biodynamic wines from Tuscany.

At Villa Pignano you will find a sophisticated blend of attentive yet discreet service that defines our philosophy.

AL FRESCO RESTAURANT
During the summer our traditional Restaurant Al Fresco offers an informal, relaxed dining experience set within a beautiful garden environment.

Guests can savour authentic Tuscan recipes, such as grilled meat, Mediterranean sea catch of the day, stone-baked pizza cooked in a classic wood fired oven, together with homemade organic beers and wines.

At Borgo Pignano we strive to be self sufficient, producing the most natural, seasonal and fresh ingredients which go from farm to plate within a few hours. We grow olives, cereals from ancient seeds and a large variety of organic crops such as chickpeas, lentils, wheat and spelt.

Our organic farm nurtures free-range Valdarno chickens and Cinta Senese pigs, our bee colonies make Mille Fiore honey and the vegetable gardens produce delicious farm-fresh ingredients throughout the year. Every element of our productive terrain contributes to the Pignano experience.

THE WELLNESS
The new wellness area brings the joys and freshness of nature to the body. Drawing inspiration from Pignano’s unspoilt terrain, abundant gardens, wild flower meadows and organic farmland, each of our natural spa treatments and wellbeing therapies have been created using organic ingredients grown on the estate.

Our trained herbalist uses flowers, herbs, plant extracts, oils and honeys that promote a sense of well-being. Discover Pignano’s wellness centre in the heart of our historic hamlet and experience another level of peace and tranquillity.

Enjoy our dry sauna and steam bath or book a treatment in our private wellness suites. The Pignano Wellness Center is open to the public throughout the season. We kindly ask you to book your treatment in advance.

Borgo Pignano’s exclusive private Spa is set within the estate’s charming well-house, where, in medieval times, it was used to collect water for the village.

Designed with pure relaxation in mind, our spa is an oasis of calm where you can experience a warm welcome and absolute tranquillity. Our therapies exclusively use organic fowers, herbs, plant extracts, oils, each of which promotes a sense of wellness.

Enjoy a sauna, steam bath or a private treatment in our spacious well-being suite. Relax with herbal teas made with wild herbs gathered from the felds of Pignano and breathe in the unique atmosphere of Pignano’s elegant wellness area.

Relax the body and restore the soul with an al-fresco massage at Pignano’s newly opened Wadi Rum. Situated in a secluded meadow beneath the breathtaking infinity pool, Pignano’s alfresco spa area offers guests the chance to completely de-stress and enjoy a massage in the most tranquil, natural environment.

Enjoy the serenity of a holistic massage set against an enchanting backdrop of the Tuscan hills and accompanied by the blissful sound of birdsong.

WEDDINGS IN TUSCANY
The natural beauty of Tuscany’s enchanting landscape makes it the no.1 destination for couples looking for a truly magical wedding venue. Pignano offers a heart-stopping location for weddings and honeymoons and has attracted couples from all over the world.

The estate’s Romanesque parish church, San Bartolomeo, has served Pignano since the thirteenth century and still rings out its bells for weddings and celebrations.

Celebrations are often held on one of Borgo Pignano’s spacious lawn terraces overlooking the medieval hilltop town of Volterra. With a grand 18th century villa as a backdrop, the gardens, courtyards and terraces at Pignano offer endless opportunities for wedding photography.

Swathes of manicured lawns surround the main property with banks of climbing roses and ancient umbrella pine trees adding to the romance of Pignano’s spectacular gardens.

A Tuscan Country House wedding offers something for everyone with both pre-and post-wedding activities available for guests of the wedding party.

For example, spa treatments, wine-tasting, cooking lessons, yoga classes and horse riding can all be arranged adding to that unmistakable country house experience.

The atmosphere at Borgo Pignano is one of understated sophistication, an elusive combination of luxurious elegance and unforgettable Tuscan chic.

The romantic atmosphere at Borgo Pignano flows throughout the grand 18th century villa, immaculate gardens and estate. The villa boasts an elegant drawing room with open fire, a fine-dining restaurant, private dining room and traditional Tuscan kitchen, all of which share a sense of laid back elegance.

The central courtyard provides the perfect setting for wedding breakfasts and celebratory drinks. Pignano’s charming character captures the essence of country house chic, with luxurious rooms, spacious suites, private maisonettes and country cottages offering beautifully furnished accommodation.

We have in-house wedding experts who can manage all your arrangements and Pignano offers numerous locations in which celebrations can take place, such as: the belvedere terrace, drawing room, art gallery, historic ballroom, secluded woodland setting, frescoed library, banqueting hall, historic courtyard and on the steps of Pignano’s ancient church.

Pignano offers a heart-stopping location for weddings and honeymoons and has attracted couples from all over the world. The estate’s Romanesque parish church, San Bartolomeo, has served Pignano since the thirteenth century and still rings out its bells for weddings and celebrations.

Celebrations are often held on one of Borgo Pignano’s spacious lawn terraces overlooking the medieval hilltop town of Volterra. With a grand 18th century villa as a backdrop, the gardens, courtyards and terraces at Pignano offer endless opportunities for wedding photography.

Swathes of manicured lawns surround the main property with banks of climbing roses and ancient umbrella pine trees adding to the romance of Pignano’s spectacular gardens.

A Tuscan Country House wedding offers something for everyone with both pre-and post-wedding activities available for guests of the wedding party.

For example, spa treatments, wine-tasting, cooking lessons, yoga classes and horse riding can all be arranged adding to that unmistakable country house experience.

The atmosphere at Borgo Pignano is one of understated sophistication, an elusive combination of luxurious elegance and unforgettable Tuscan chic.

Borgo Pignano is a unique luxury retreat in Tuscany where art and creativity are nourished and valued. Here you will find a haven for art-lovers who wish to immerse themselves in the pleasure of creating and observing art. Pignano is a natural magnet for artists, where its serene environment offers inspiration.

Borgo Pignano is the perfect location for those wishing to experience a sense of renewal by connecting with art. A deep encounter with arts is an essential ingredient of happiness, for both, those who create and those who admire and interact.

Borgo Pignano’s owners are frequent visitors to the estate and long-time admirers of twentieth century British art. They have selected all the art displayed in the villa, cottages, maisonettes and suites, some of which is the work of past guests.

Throughout this private country estate, you will enjoy the beauty of contemporary and classic art in many forms.

Located in the heart of the Tuscany, Borgo Pignano is a unique environment where art and creativity combine. In September 2016 Borgo Pignano opened an Art Gallery and inviting exhibition space situated in a beautifully restored historic farm building.

The Pignano Gallery offers a contemplative environment for artists to exhibit their work and allows hotel guests the privilege of viewing exceptional art during their stay.

The new Pignano Art Gallery features classic vaulted ceilings and original brickwork floors and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, woodlands and open countryside.

Throughout the seasons you will discover a collection of inspiring exhibitions featuring contemporary arts: among them painting, sculpture, photography, installations, ceramics and creative design.

THE ROYAL DRAWING SCHOOL
Have a long-established collaborative relationship, which supports residencies for talented artists. Based in London, the Royal Drawing School is an educational charity, and one of the only institutions in the world, dedicated to the teaching and practise of drawing from observation.

Over a thousand students, aged from eight to eighty, take part in its courses every week. The School was founded in 2000 by HRH The Prince of Wales and artist Catherine Goodman.

Students of the Royal Drawing School’s MA-level postgraduate programme, The Drawing Year, visit Pignano every summer as part of their studies.

For these talented young professional artists, the light and beauty of Tuscany, framed by the welcoming hospitality of Pignano, offers an intensive, concentrated and often transformative period of drawing and painting in the landscape.

A number of the School’s alumni and faculty visit Pignano throughout the year, as part of the prestigious Artist Residency Programme.

Resident artists are provided with studio space and accommodation for an extended period of time, and many examples of their work are hanging in the public spaces and bedrooms of Borgo Pignano.

ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
Some guests are just seduced by the serenity of the estate and do not wander far: they swim in the infinity pool, soak up the sun, paint, read and draw or stroll among the orchards, gardens and woodland paths.

Others practice yoga, or go horse riding or mountain biking. Borgo Pignano often plays host to groups of enthusiastic cyclists who enjoy the rigor of 30 to 120 km rides along Tuscany’s winding country roads. Runners and hikers can test their mettle on the paths and roads surrounding the Borgo.

Borgo Pignano is home to a group of gentle and well-trained horses. Our instructor provides riding lessons for beginners within the safety of a full-size, secluded arena. We also organize guided horse-riding excursions that allow guests to soak up the pleasures of Tuscany from the saddle.

Borgo Pignano’s heated infinity poolis hard to match and is nestled on the slope of a hill beneath the villa, providing expansive views of the Tuscan countryside.

The pool was carved from an ancient limestone quarry, which supplied most of the stone used to build Porta dell’Arco, one of the principal gateways of Volterra as well as Pignano’s own buildings.

The pool’s depth varies from 0.75 to 2.40 meters with a total surface area of 141 sq. meters. It is surrounded by a limestone terrace with chaises longues and parasols. Adjacent to the pool area there is an outdoor bar and a manicured lawn for those seeking tranquility.

A small, separate swimming pool, built specially for children, is available for all children under the age of twelve.

TOURS
Many guests of Borgo Pignano are eager to take a break from busy, metropolitan lives and relish the peace and freshness of the setting. The tours of the estate provide a peek behind the scenes and provide a sense for our approach to agriculture and food production.

Visitors learn about how our farm works in and can inspect the beehives and assist with the collection of organic honey, take a tour of our vegetable gardens and discover how our kitchens use the herbs grown in our aromatic gardens.

At Pignano children of all ages can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where they can play and take part in activities that combine nature and art with the great outdoors. Our country location and endless gardens and woodlands provide the perfect playground for children to run, play, build and learn the pleasure of life outdoors.

Art and education play an important part in our seasonal activities. During the summer months, we have staff who take care of children and work to foster their creative impulses through outdoor painting, coloring and creating dyes with flowers and spices, clay modeling and creating sculptures from natural materials.

YOGA
Yoga sessions combine private, or group, classes in relaxation and meditation techniques and are held in the indoor yoga room, the large open hall at the La Fonte farmhouse or, outside, on the lawned terrace of the main villa. It is often possible to join a yoga retreat conducted by other guests.

Yoga students find Borgo Pignano’s setting therapeutic and the sessions are very popular with guests. For those wishing to maintain their fitness programme whilst on holiday, QiGong sessions can be arranged.

A small purpose built gym featuring the essential fitness equipment. Our gym is housed near the main villa and private use can be reserved at the Reception desk. We can also arrange a personal fitness instructor on request for one-off sessions or regular daily fitness routines.

WINE TASTING
At Borgo Pignano we offer our guest the exclusive opportunity to journey into the world of organic and biodynamic wines.

Discover how this extraordinary region of Tuscany has produced exceptional wines for thousands of years and learn a little about both traditional and contemporary wine production methods.

Wine tastings take place in the historic cellar of Pignano’s grand 18th Century villa where wine expert Francesco shares his deep-rooted passion for wine. Wine tastings are accompanied by a selection of cold meats, cheeses and breads.

TREKKING & BIKING 
Borgo Pignano lies within a major game reserve and is at the crossroads of two natural reserves: Berignone and Castelvecchio which lend themselves to short, and arduous, treks.

The estate’s virgin woodland and fields, with its protected flora and fauna, is ideal for long walking tours. Partridge, pheasants, ducks, geese, cranes, storks and the occasional small kestrel and osprey can all be spotted.

Closer to the villa, swifts and swallows are plentiful and owls and doves can often be heard. Wild boar, roe deer, hare, badgers, foxes and porcupines make their homes in the surrounding woods.

We can help you map trails and, on request, accompany guests on nature walks and trails. Mountain bikes available for Guests’ use.

LABORATORY
Borgo Pignano has beautiful herb and flower gardens which provide natural organic ingredients for the hotel’s amenities. Take a tour of the herb gardens with our trained herbalist and discover how perfumes, oils and soaps are made by hand in a herbal laboratory.

Gather wild herbs and flowers and experience the traditional methods of how natural ingredients are used within our products and cuisine.

Rooms: 16

Price: from 357 EUR per night

Source: www.borgopignano.com