Born from “a timeless act of faith,” Il Borro produces elegant Tuscan wines that transport you to the heart of this famous region. The family-run estate is rooted in history and guided by authenticity, while keeping both sustainability and tradition at the core of every decision.
Founder Ferruccio Ferragamo purchased the thousand-year-old medieval village in 1993 after falling in love with the history and natural beauty of the estate. Since then, the family has been restoring the hamlet, villas, and farms of the area, keeping respect for the past as their guide. Today, the entire estate is managed by the next generation of the Ferragamo family: Ferruccio’s son Salvatore leads as CEO, and his daughter Vittoria oversees all agricultural projects.
THE FARM & VINEYARD
In 2012, the Ferragamo family began converting Il Borro into a cutting-edge organic and eco-sustainable estate. Of the 1,100 hectares, only 8% of the land is devoted to growing grapes, while 19% is dedicated to agricultural crops. The remaining 73% of land is a bounty of forests, key in promoting and protecting the area’s biodiversity. Officially declared organic in 2015, the estate now has a negative carbon footprint thanks to the CO2-absorbing ecosystems, rooftop water recovery system, solar panels, and other biodynamic activities.
In addition to wine production, the estate also fosters ancient olive groves, organic horticulture, and arable land. These agricultural practices demonstrate the estate’s sustainable philosophy, which is grounded in authenticity, respect for the environment, preserving cultural traditions, and enhancing local expertise.
VALDARNO DI SOPRA & THE TUSCAN CLIMATE
Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Valdarno di Sopra has a centuries-old history of producing fine wines. This region was one of the four areas marked by Grand Duke Cosmio III as high-quality for wine production in 1716, one of the first such distinctions in the world. The Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC appellation was declared in 2011, further marking the region as a high-quality producer. Il Borro estate carries on this legacy with their award-winning wines. Each varietal is planted on its optimal soil, from rich earth studded with sea fossils, to sandstone bedrock or mixed sandy clay. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and even Chardonnay can thrive with ideal drainage and composition of each individual terroir.
During the growing season, daytime temperature averages on the warm side, but nights remain cool. This change in temperature helps preserve the natural acidity in the grapes which ultimately produces a well-structured wine. Il Borro’s vines are planted on the Val d’Arno foothills of Mount Pratomagno, lending the plants optimal sun exposure to create full-bodied wines.
THE FAMILY OF WINES
Attention to detail starts in the vineyard for Il Borro Estate. The grapes are handpicked and loaded into 10 kg cases before being refrigerated overnight to preserve the aromas. Before being made into wine, the grapes are sorted by an optical device. Only the best grapes are loaded into the stainless-steel tanks to start the winemaking process. After 2 days of fermentation at 10°C (50°F) and 10 days at 25-28°C (77-82°F), the wines are left to macerate with the skins for 20-30 days to extract the color, flavor, and tannin of the grapes. The wines are then separately aged in French oak by single parcels or vineyards before the final blend.
The flagship Il Borro Toscana is a delectable blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, with ripe raspberry and red cherry notes. Pian di Nova balances the spice of Syrah with the fruitiness of Sangiovese for a fresh wine that jumps out of the glass. Borrigiano is a classic Sangiovese-based Super Tuscan red blend that showcases the elegance of the region but has the approachability of an everyday wine.
Il Borro also produces a refreshing Lamelle Chardonnay, which is sur lies-aged for 60 days to add a gentle roundness to this mineral-forward wine. Borrorosa is a 100% Sangiovese-based rosata, perfect to sip on any sunshine-filled afternoon. Polissena is a unique 100% Sangiovese red wine that aged in clay amphorae per ancient traditions. This technique features multiple stages, including follatura, where the grape skins are punched down into the wine for ideal extraction, and 12-month sealed maturation period where the wine will take on its unique unoaked but aged character. Looking for some bubbles? Try Bolle di Borro, a classic method sparkling rosé from Il Borro’s cellars. Grown in a specific cool-climate vineyard, Sangiovese shines in this delightful wine with juicy strawberries and bright minerality. Each bottle is hand-riddled, a traditional technique that pulls from the history of sparkling wines.
With wines this complex and inviting, it’s no surprise that Il Borro continues to deliver history, tradition, and top-tier quality in every glass.
Excited to try one of Il Borro Toscana’s remarkable wines? Shop at your local Eataly or online at Eataly Vino to bring home a bottle today!