Borgo Pignano
Tuscany
Borgo Pignano Tuscany
Loc Pignano, 6 – 56048 Volterra (PI) Italy
borgopignano.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Borgo Pignano
Date of Creation
01/04/2007
Hotel General Manager
Mr Simone Arcucci, General Manager of Borgo Pignano is originally from Capri where he grew up working in his family’s restaurant. His passion for hospitality has seen him garner over 20 years of experience working in a range of globally recognized hotels throughout Europe. Starting his hotel carrier at the Mandarin Oriental in London and working in brands like Starwood, Sun Resorts, Rocco Forte Hotels and in various locations like Milan, Sicily, Maldives and Brussels. Before moving back to Italy, he spent almost 10 years in the United Kingdom where he followed a development project and launch for a new Relais Chateaux in the Cotswold. He is fluent in English, French and Italian, he loves travelling, discovering new food concepts and enjoying the nature with his family.
Hotel Positioning
5-star Luxury – Member of Beyond Green
Development Strategy
A “welcome to the private world” boutique experience at highest rung of luxury market Six-star service at five-star prices. Properties that have a unique aspect, special location and notable buildings. Locations that will provide an array of guest experiences that inspire personal renewal, well-being, learning and a sense of adventure.
Borgo Pignano
History & Story
While today Borgo Pignano is a delicious countryside retreat yet it was first settled during Etruscan times.
Traces of past millennia can be seen in the enormous stones that were hauled here more than 2,500 years ago and from the base of the church, villa and some of the outlying walls. The first appearance of Borgo Pignano in official documents is from 1139 just before work began on the San Bartolomeo Apostolo, the small church at the estate’s centre. The property passed through different hands until, about twenty-five years ago, the current owners embarked on a painstaking restoration of the buildings and rejuvenation of the gardens and surrounding acreage.
Their aim was to create a private world reflecting their interests – outdoor recreation, art, literature, healthy diets, a fondness for vintage Italian vehicles and sustainability – and these are evident throughout Borgo Pignano.
Rival families engaged in violent disputes over Tuscan territories for several hundred years and it was not until the late seventeenth century that a modicum of decorum settled on the province.
It was then that the Incontri family bought the property and the Marchese Ludovico, whose name is inscribed on the outside of the main villa, transformed a simple farmstead into a grand countryseat. He made the principal architectural changes which shape today’s villa and surrounding buildings.Like other large Italian estates the upkeep of Borgo Pignano came from the rents paid by tenant farmers and the dutifully maintained books, with their careful gothic script, offer a glimpse of the barebones existence of the peasant families.
The estate survived World War II largely unscathed, although shell damage is still visible on the church walls. Borgo Pignano was liberated by the American Army in July 1944. During the 1950s, the local community, which, prior to 1939, had consisted of around 100 people, dwindled as the pace of Italian industrialization increased.
The property passed through different hands until, about twenty-five years ago, the current owners embarked on a painstaking restoration of the buildings and rejuvenation of the gardens and surrounding acreage.
Their aim was to create a private world reflecting their interests – outdoor recreation, art, literature, healthy diets, a fondness for vintage Italian vehicles and sustainability – and these are evident throughout Borgo Pignano
Date Renovation/Restoration
01/01/2016 and ongoing
Date Added Extensions
New villas with private pool from April 2024
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Detox from daily life and relax in the comfort of Borgo Pignano, a resort steeped in regional traditions, sustainable agricultural practices, care for the environment, natural wellness therapies and organic foods and wine for a truly authentic Tuscan experience. Families and couples alike become one with nature at Borgo Pignano, spending quality time hiking, biking or horseback riding on the extensive path network, or enjoying yoga, wine tasting, cooking or art classes at their leisure. All of Borgo Pignano’s public and private rooms contain evidence of the owner’s interest in art and some works are by well-known artists.
Location
Borgo Pignano is an elegant country estate in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, just a short drive from the historic hilltop towns of Volterra and San Gimignano. Borgo Pignano is a proud founding member of Beyond Green, a global portfolio of hotels, resorts, and lodges that exemplify sustainability leadership. The 750-acre organic estate blends a working farm with a world-class resort experience and also acts as an ideal base for exploring Florence, Siena or the vineyards of Chianti nearby.
Keys sites / activities in the area
Local trip to Volterra, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Siena, Florence, Montepulciano, Pisa Greve in Chianti, Bolgheri, Luca, Lajatico.
Fun Facts
Many guests of Borgo Pignano are eager to take a break from busy, metropolitan lives and want to understand how we operate. Tours of the estate provide a peek behind the scenes and a sense for our approach to organic agriculture.
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.
Children’s Corner
Borgo Pignano offers something for children of all ages. During the summer, specially trained staff take care of young children with half day or day long programs which include diversions such as outdoor painting, dye-making with flowers and spices, and sculpting from raw materials. The stables and horseback lessons are also popular with our young set of demanding clients who aren’t shy about providing customer feedback. For teenagers, we have a half-basketball court and an all-weather tennis court which can quickly be transformed into a five-a-side soccer pitch. A separate swimming pool is available for children under the age of twelve. We also offer children’s lunches and dinners, whist their parents can enjoy a romantic candle light dinner.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites in the main Villa: 7
• Number of rooms in the main Villa: 7
There are fourteen elegant rooms and suites in the main Villa, 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.
• Number of suites at La Canonica, the Priest’s House: 2
La Canonica, the Priest’s House, which dates back to 17th century, can be used as either one large three-bedroom, private house or independently as two separate suites (San Bartolomeo & Il Pievano).
• Number of maisonettes: 10
The Maisonettes have been fashioned from the buildings near the main villa which once were homes for people who worked at Borgo Pignano until shortly after World War II.
They range in size from one to three bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms. Each features a small kitchen and comfortable living area. Some overlook delightful gardens or have balconies with beautiful views.
• Number of standing alone villas with pool: 8
Borgo Pignano has eight villas of various sizes. They are available separately, but large families or groups of friends often choose to occupy two or three. Each of the villas has a generous, heated swimming pool, large covered porch with views, fully equipped kitchen for private chef service, private car parking area and comes with an electric buggy and, best of all, concierge service.
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 34 units, 61 bedrooms (as a unit has multiple bedrooms and all have ensuite bathrooms)
Restaurants & Bars
Villa Pignano Michelin Green Star (a la carte): The gastronomic restaurant Villa Pignano has a refined and innovative menu. The dishes are approachable and include Chef Cavallini’s contemporary and lighter interpretations of traditional Tuscan cuisine.
Al Fresco Restaurant (a la carte): An informal and relaxed dining experience. Open during Summer Season
Medieval Fireplace Restaurant (a la carte): Guests can enjoy a curated menu of local favourites in a communal table. Open during Spring and Fall.
Wellness
The SPA is housed in what was once Borgo Pignano’s winery and principal water cistern. The spa has been carved out of limestone that adjoins the former cisterns and feature a sauna, steam bath and massage and treatment rooms. The treatments use oils made from local flowers, plants and herbs and promote a sense of well-being. Guests often stay to enjoy a restorative herbal tea.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Borgo Pignano lends itself to unforgettable weddings. From a ceremony in the forest or in the courtyard of S. Bartolomeo Church, to the wedding dinner at our Belvedere terrace overlooking the breathtaking Tuscan landscape, there is an array of different venues and experiences couples can choose from, to make their dream wedding come true. Our accommodations can welcome up to 120 adults and an additional number of extra beds are available for children under 12 years of age. For the Food & Beverage events, the maximum capacity is 150 guests.
Extra Notable Features
Cooking and art classes; New Gym with latest Technogym equipment; yoga sessions; horseback riding; gravel, mountain and electric bikes; truffle-hunting; wine-tasting; tours of the estate; herb and honey laboratories, a play area for children; a tennis court, half basketball court and an all-weather five a side soccer pitch; an extensive art collection; and an assembly of vintage Italian vehicles.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2023: Villa Pignano Restaurant: Green Michelin Star
2020-2022: Best Countryside Hotel in Europe and Mediterranean 2021 – Conde Nast
Number of employees
90/100