Borgo Pignano, Tuscany: A Journey at the Heart of Its Hills
As you approach Borgo Pignano, the landscape begins to shift. The hills roll gently, dotted with olive groves and vineyards that shimmer in the late afternoon sun. A narrow country road winds between cypress trees, leading to stone buildings perched atop a hill.
The air carries the scent of lavender and freshly turned earth, and the soft hum of bees reminds you that this is a working estate, alive with life and sustenance. Here, in the heart of Tuscany, history and hospitality intertwine in a way that feels effortless, natural, and intimate.
Living Spaces: Villas, Maisonettes, and Timeless Suites
Borgo Pignano offers accommodations that cater to every kind of traveler, blending historic elegance with modern comfort. Couples seeking a quiet retreat often choose the rooms and suites of the 18th-century villa, where original frescoes and antique architectural details meet marble bathrooms and bespoke furnishings. Large windows frame views of vineyards, olive groves, and rolling Tuscan hills that glow in the soft light of sunrise and sunset. Some suites feature private terraces where guests can enjoy morning coffee while the estate wakes, the air scented with herbs and citrus from the surrounding gardens.
Families and groups can immerse themselves in the estate’s eight private villas, each designed to combine space, privacy, and understated luxury. Every villa has a heated infinity pool, a small electric car for easy exploration of the estate, and dedicated concierge service. Villa Casa del Lago sits beside a tranquil natural lake, its waters reflecting the sky and surrounding poplars and alders, creating a serene setting for early morning swims or evening reflections. Villa La Fonte is enveloped in herb gardens and fruit trees, with the fragrance of rosemary, lavender, and orange blossom filling the air, while hidden nooks and outdoor lounges offer private spots for reading or simply absorbing the landscape. Other villas, such as Villa Il Poggio or Villa Casa degli Artisti, are nestled among woodlands or perched on hills, offering panoramic vistas and the feeling of living in a secluded corner of Tuscany.
The estate’s Maisonettes—converted from homes of estate workers who lived and worked here until the mid-20th century—retain rustic charm while providing every modern convenience. Each maisonette has a fully equipped kitchen, living spaces, and private bathrooms, allowing guests to move freely between independence and community life on the estate. Some, like The Artist’s Studio or Il Fienile, feature spacious lofts, wood-burning stoves, and terraces overlooking gardens or the ancient church, giving a sense of living history without compromising comfort.
La Canonica, adjacent to the 12th-century church of San Bartolomeo, stands as a rare architectural gem. Its vaulted ceilings, stone walls, and restored frescoes recall centuries of history, while thoughtfully integrated amenities—such as a fully equipped medieval-style kitchen and elegant living areas—ensure a stay that is both immersive and comfortable. The building can be used as a single residence or divided into independent suites, offering flexible options for families or groups seeking an intimate connection to the estate’s past.
Across villas, maisonettes, and suites, every space at Borgo Pignano reflects attention to detail, a respect for history, and a commitment to comfort, allowing guests to inhabit the estate fully—whether waking to mist over vineyards, savoring the scent of herbs in a morning garden walk, or ending the day beside a pool overlooking the hills.
The Estate: Cultivation and Care
Borgo Pignano is more than a luxury retreat. It is a living, self-sustaining estate. Olive groves, vineyards, orchards, and vegetable gardens provide most of the estate’s ingredients. Bees hum among the flowers, hens roam under olive trees, and pigs and horses wander the fields, each playing a part in the delicate ecosystem of the estate. Guests are invited to explore the vegetable gardens, see the herbs harvested for the kitchen and spa, and discover the wines crafted from estate-grown grapes.
The estate’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every detail. Grains come from ancient seeds, more nutritious than modern varieties, and are used for fresh bread, pasta, and pizza baked in traditional wood-fired ovens. Olive oil is pressed on-site, honey is collected from the estate’s hives, and fruits and vegetables are harvested daily for the kitchen. Even the small touches, like handmade soaps created from estate-grown herbs, reflect the care and thought given to every aspect of Borgo Pignano’s life.
Dining: Fresh, Local, and Thoughtful
The culinary heart of the estate is Villa Pignano, a Michelin Green Star restaurant helmed by Chef Stefano Cavallini, whose passion for fresh, locally sourced ingredients shapes every dish. Here, the flavors of the estate—grains from ancient seeds, vegetables from sun-soaked gardens, free-range eggs, honey from the on-site apiary, and extra virgin olive oil pressed on the estate—are transformed into inventive, contemporary interpretations of Tuscan classics. Each plate is a conversation between tradition and innovation, where familiar flavors are elevated through thoughtful techniques and seasonal creativity.
Sustainability at Villa Pignano is not merely a principle—it is a way of life. Ingredients are grown, harvested, and handled with care; waste is minimized; and all packaging is carefully selected to be recyclable or biodegradable. Dining here is an immersive experience: the aromas of wood-fired ovens, fresh herbs, and slow-cooked sauces fill the air, while large windows frame the surrounding vineyards and olive groves, reminding guests that every bite is intimately connected to the estate and its land. Even desserts and chocolates are crafted on-site, ensuring that the journey from garden to plate is seamless, flavorful, and profoundly authentic.
The menu transforms estate-grown ingredients into inventive, contemporary takes on Tuscan classics. Sustainability is not a slogan but a practice: produce is local, waste is minimized, and packaging is eco-friendly.
In summer, the Al Fresco restaurant allows guests to dine outdoors, enjoying pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens, fresh pasta, and seasonal dishes. The Social Table, with its long wooden table and large fireplace, offers a warm, communal experience, where conversation flows as freely as the estate’s wine.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are paced to suit guests, whether they wish to linger over morning coffee or enjoy a quiet dinner under the stars. From free-range eggs laid that morning to honey harvested in the estate’s apiary, every bite tells the story of Borgo Pignano’s land and history.
Experiences: Engaging with the Estate
Borgo Pignano encourages guests to engage with the estate and the Tuscan landscape. Horseback rides follow trails through olive groves and vineyards. Truffle hunting with specially trained dogs takes visitors deep into the surrounding woods, while wine tastings introduce them to organic and biodynamic wines crafted on the estate. Cooking classes teach traditional bread, pizza, and pasta recipes, and art lessons allow guests to capture the particular Tuscan light that has inspired generations of painters.
The estate’s wellness center occupies the old wine cellar, its stone walls and vaulted ceilings creating a quiet refuge for yoga, meditation, and therapeutic treatments. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy tennis, basketball, or five-a-side football, and cycling aficionados can follow gravel and mountain-bike trails that wind through landscapes immortalized by Renaissance artists. For children, Borgo Pignano offers educational programs, playgrounds, and the chance to meet the estate’s animals up close.
Art, Culture, and History
Art and culture are woven into every corner of the estate. Borgo Pignano hosts a collection of Italian vintage cars and artworks, from modern British pieces to works by former students of the Royal Drawing School. The buildings themselves tell a story: the villa’s 18th-century design, the medieval stonework of La Canonica, and the frescoed ceilings throughout the estate evoke centuries of life and care.
History is palpable here. The estate dates back to Etruscan times, with the first official document from 1139. The Incontri family transformed the farmhouse into a noble estate in the 17th century. Walls, frescoes, and even the cobblestones carry the memory of generations, blending naturally with the comforts of the present.
The Seasons of Borgo Pignano
Each season transforms the estate in subtle, captivating ways. In spring, wildflowers carpet the hills and the orchards are heavy with blossoms, filling the air with fragrance. Summer brings golden sunlight and the gentle rustle of leaves, perfect for swimming, al fresco dining, or evening walks. Autumn turns the vineyards and olive groves into a tapestry of warm reds and golds, while winter blankets the estate in quietude, where cozy fireplaces and candlelit rooms invite reflection. Every visit offers a different encounter with Tuscany’s rhythms.
A Symphony of Senses
Borgo Pignano engages the senses beyond sight. The aroma of fresh herbs, baking bread, and roasting wood fires mingles with the distant sound of birds and the gentle movement of the lake’s water. Guests feel the texture of aged stone underfoot, the warmth of sun on the terraces, and the cool embrace of the infinity pools. This careful orchestration of sensory experiences creates a living memory of place, making each moment both intimate and enduring.
Sustainability in Practice
Sustainability is at the heart of Borgo Pignano, visible not only in its gardens and orchards but also in daily operations. Crops are grown using traditional methods, water is managed naturally through streams and ponds, and farm animals roam freely in environments designed for their well-being. The estate produces its own olive oil, honey, cereals, and other essentials, demonstrating that luxury and ecological responsibility can coexist seamlessly.
Hidden Corners and Secret Paths
Borgo Pignano encourages exploration. Beyond the main villa and gardens lie quiet corners—hidden benches under olive trees, pathways lined with lavender, and small clearings where sunlight filters through oak and chestnut groves. These secret spots invite guests to pause, read, sketch, or simply breathe, offering an intimate connection with the estate that is impossible to replicate elsewhere.
A Sense of Place
Time moves differently at Borgo Pignano. Mornings bring sunlight over olive groves, the air fragrant with rosemary and thyme. Bees hum among the flowers, and the estate’s chickens scratch in the orchards. Afternoons may be spent in the infinity pool, cycling along the winding paths, or sipping cocktails as the sun lowers behind the hills. Nights are quiet, the village lights twinkling in the distance, while stars fill the Tuscan sky.
Here, luxury is a lived experience, felt in every detail. It is the care given to the land, the precision in the kitchen, the thoughtfulness of each suite, and the freedom to experience Tuscany at one’s own pace. Guests leave Borgo Pignano with more than memories of beautiful views or fine meals—they leave having experienced the essence of the land, its history, and its rhythms.
Borgo Pignano is Tuscany distilled: a place where nature, tradition, and hospitality create a living, breathing experience, one that invites you to slow down, explore, and belong.
All photos by Sigurd M. Killerud
- Our stay was hosted by Borgo Pignano