the estate - Borgo Pignano

THE ESTATE
Borgo Pignano is a 750 acre estate in the heart of the Tuscan countryside,
perched in the middle of the topographical triangle linking Siena, Florence
and Pisa. The borgo has grown out of a hamlet dating from Etruscan times
and is tended by a group of friends committed to healthy living, biodynamic
agriculture and sustainable energy who offer the gracious, bohemian hospitality
of a well-run country house.
The center of the Borgo is a sensitively restored villa with thirteenth century
walls and ramparts and an eighteenth century manor house, originally built by
an Italian landowner. The estate includes extensive kitchen gardens, fields,
meadows, pools, small lakes, orchards, woodlands, waterfalls and a horse arena
all reachable by footpath and full of pleasures for both adults and children.
The surrounding countryside is fretted by paths and lanes that invite long
scenic walks, bike rides, and excursions on horseback. Active guests enjoy the
three-hour hike, on an unpaved road, from Pignano to Volterra.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
THE LOCATION
Borgo Pignano is well sited for those interested in Italian art, architecture,
archaeology and culture. Every medieval hilltown in our vicinity has churches
and monuments of note and many have small museums and frescoed cloisters.
There are thermal springs, popular since Roman times, Etruscan ruins and
tombs, and Renaissance palaces.
The estate is equidistant from the hilltowns of Volterra and San Gimignano.
The former, once a prehistoric Etruscan settlement, is known for its alabaster
workshops, Piazza dei Priori, Roman amphitheatre and medieval walls, and
for the Etruscan Museum, a great repository of the art made by this mysterious
people. San Gimignano, a World Heritage site, is a gloriously picturesque
Italian town, with fifteen medieval towers (built by competing grandees), and
a cathedral. Its vertiginous streets are lined with small shops that sell locally
made Tuscan cheeses, meats and sausages, table linens, ceramics, olive wood
carvings and gelato.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
ROOMS & SUITES
Pignano’s main building is an eighteenth century villa, surrounded by English
gardens, with pristine landscapes that are unchanged from Renaissance times.
To the west, a series of hills unfolds towards the sea; to the east, woods and
gardens are alive with the song of birds.
There are 14 elegantly furnished rooms and suites, some with their original
frescos and all with white marble or travertine bathrooms and spectacular
views. An elevator serves every floor save the cellar. There are generous public
rooms and dining areas and WI-FI is available throughout the villa.
On top of the Villa, it is always possible to lodge at the Podere La Fonte, Casa
del Lago, the Artists’ house or to rent one of the Borgo’s apartments.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
Rooms with charm
Generous rooms with queen size beds, some with large windowed bathrooms of
white marble and travertine, a free-standing tub and a glass-enclosed shower.
Views of the woods and the English garden.
Rooms with a view
Comfortable rooms with queen-size beds and private baths with shower and
tub. Sweeping western views of the hills and fields, and Volterra in the distance.
Suites with charm
One of these suites has two spacious double rooms with private access to each,
and a shared marble and travertine bathroom, while the others consist of a large
double room and an adjoining single room that share a large bathroom. These
overlook the woods and the gardens.
Suites with a view
The Music Room, which may be rented as a suite, is a large, high-ceilinged
room with a grand piano, fireplace and sitting area. A Napoleonic sleigh bed
sleeps two. A set of gothic-style windows overlooks the western landscape. A
short flight of steps leads to a frescoed bathroom, illuminated by a skylight.
Signature suites
Two master suites with king or queen size beds, spacious bathrooms with
freestanding tubs and glass-enclosed showers. One suite is decorated with
original period frescoes and has a small terrace overlooking the villa’s lawns
and pool, while the other can accomodate one or two couples.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
Casa del lago
A two-bedroom house with a fully-equipped kitchen, a cozy living room with
a fire-place and a covered porch that sits above a lake surrounded by poplars
and alders. Casa del Lago is a favourite for honeymoons and couples yearning
for peace and quiet.
Fonte farmhouse
La Fonte, a nearby farmhouse, is surrounded by orchards and fields and is
suitable for groups and students. It has seven bedrooms, a small adjacent
annex, a large dining room next to a fully-equipped kitchen, a covered terrace
with views of a lake, and a traditional wood-burning outdoor oven. La Fonte is
suited for groups of friends, colleagues, or families; and for classes, workshops,
conferences, or retreats (yoga, painting, music, cooking, and cycling enthusiasts
have all stayed here).
Artists’ house
Sir Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman, noted collectors of twentieth
century British art and frequent visitors to Pignano, offer emerging artists the
chance to stay, as their guests, at the Borgo’s Artist Studio. These prizes are
awarded by a panel of judges, organized by the Prince’s Drawing School in
London, and provide travel and study scholarships to serious artists. Caille, the
artists’ house, has a large and handsome studio space, two bedrooms and a fully
equipped kitchen. It is nestled in woods that enhance its privacy.
Separate apartments
Two-bedroom apartments in the Borgo, all with cooking facilities and fire
places or wood-fed stoves. Available for weekly or long-weekend rentals. Ideal
for families.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
HOSPITALITY &
FACILITIES
The public rooms of the villa include a two-storey ballroom with a terrazzo floor
and a balcony; a large library with a fireplace flanked by comfortable sofas; a
music room with an antique Bechstein grand; a banquet room in a two hundred
year old kitchen, a smaller dining room, a television room, a billiards room, a
children’s activity room, a small gym, and a yoga and meditation room.
The infinity swimming pool was carved from a limestone quarry on the slope
of a hill directly beneath the villa. Its depth varies from 75 to 2.40 m. with a
total surface of 141 sq. m. It is surrounded by a limestone terrace with chaise
longues and umbrellas. There is an adjacent outdoor bar and an outdoor shower.
The pool is open from May to September.
CUISINE
Borgo Pignano’s chefs prepare three healthy, authentic Tuscan meals every day,
using the freshest local and organic ingredients, which vary by season.
Bread, croissants, pizza, and biscotti are baked in our wood-burning oven.
Vegetables, oil, grains, honey, and fruit come directly from the property, or from
neighboring organic and biodynamic farms.
We pay particular attention to the special dietary needs of our guests for
vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or anti-allergenic menus.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
ACTIVITIES
There is much to do at Borgo Pignano. Some visitors find themselves seduced
by the serenity of the estate and don’t wander far. They swim in an infinity pool
carved from the limestone of an old quarry, sunbathe, read in the library or
music room, practise yoga and meditate, play bocce, stroll among the orchards,
gardens and woodland paths and sometimes help in the kitchen garden.
Others, who pine for more activity, pursue yoga, paint or ride horses and
mountain bikes. We often host groups of avid road cyclists who enjoy the rigor
of 30 km – 120 km rides along Tuscany’s challenging and quiet back roads.
Runners and triathletes also find that Borgo Pignano suits their adventurous
needs.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
Yoga class
The setting of Borgo Pignano is therapeutic for yoga students. The yoga sessions
offer classes in relaxation techniques and meditation and take place in the
indoor yoga room, the large open hall at the La Fonte farmhouse, or on the
lawns. It is often possible to join a retreat.
Painting
Pignano attracts artists but often tempts visitors, with no previous exposure to
drawing or painting, to pick up a crayon or brush. We frequently host group
and individual classes. Visitors tend to take their sketch pads or easels outside
while some prefer to arrange a few objects and attempt a still life. The Villa is
equipped with artist’s supplies.
Horseback riding
Borgo Pignano is home for group of gentle and well-trained horses. Lessons
are available for novices inside the safety of an arena. We also organize guided
excursions that providea way to absorb the pleasures of Tuscany from the saddle.
Experienced riders are free to journey alone, atop a more spirited mount, and
follow the well-marked trails through the woods and fields.
Learning to create
One of our greatest pleasures is transmitting the knowledge we have gained
through our years of experience with the rhythms of nature, and the art of Tuscan
living. From May to September, we offer a choice of courses and workshops
where you can learn, among other new skills, candle-making with the wax from
our bees; baking homemade bread in the kitchen; basketweaving, and potting.
Biking
The mountain bikes of Borgo Pignano are available for rent – either for rides
along paved roads or Italy’s so-called Strade Bianche – white gravelled roads.
We can arrange for the rental of road bikes from a high quality, local cycling
specialist. We can map routes that reflect your interests and fitness levels and
are available to lead group tours.
Trekking
Borgo Pignano lies within a major game preserve, and is at the crossroads of two
nature reserves, Berignone and Castelvecchio. The estate’s virgin woodland and
fields, with its protected flora and fauna, is ideal for long walks during which all
manner of birdlife, including partridge, pheasants, ducks, geese, cranes, storks
and the occasional small kestrel and osprey can be spotted. Nearer the Villa
swifts and swallows are plentiful and owls and doves can often be heard. Out in
the woods and fields wild boar, roe deer, hare, badgers, foxes and porcupines
make their homes. We can help map trails, and are available, on request, to
accompany you.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
The soulful, parish church that has served
Pignano since the thirteenth century - the
Romanesque San Bartolomeo - is still used
as a wedding chapel, and we also construct
elegant chuppahs for Jewish ceremonies.
Couples sometimes choose to exchange their
vows among the wildflowers of a woodland
grove.
We help plan every detail of a wedding
weekend and take pleasure in designing
memorable, personal experiences that
include a wedding banquet, flowers, music,
photography, entertainment and refreshments.
There is plenty of space for large seated
outdoor banquets and dancing by moonlight.
For weddings we require rental of the entire
villa.
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Loc. Pignano,6 - 56048 Volterra Pisa, Italy - www.borgopignano.com
Phone +39 0588 35032 - +39 0588 35120 - +39 0588 35121 - Fax +39 0588 86843