Nothing is wasted across Borgo Pignano’s 750-acre estate, set on a historic hamlet dating back to the thirteenth century. Grey water, purified by reed fields, irrigates biodynamic vineyards. Solar panels harness Tuscan sunlight and pair with a biomass generator, powered with sustainably harvested timber, to meet all heat and hot water needs. Boiler ash, along with natural fertilizer from resident chickens and horses, in turn nurtures organic gardens.

Tended with traditional “no harm” farming techniques (think crop rotation and regenerative soil enrichment), Borgo Pignano’s gardens produce the vast majority of its fruits and vegetables, which are pollinated by resident honeybees. Millefiori-flavored honey, free-range eggs, cold-pressed olive oil, and artisanal pastas and breads made with organic flour also figure prominently in Borgo Pignano’s dishes, all cooked according to Tuscan traditions.

Borgo Pignano’s resident herbalist works to preserve traditional cultivation, cooking, and naturopathic healing techniques. Guests can help pick herbs and wildflowers for use in Tuscan cooking classes. They can also learn how to produce organic cosmetics and prepare healing tonics and teas including wellness treatments with natural anti-aging creams including helichrysum, and detoxifying tonics using calendula and mauve.

Environmentally friendly materials ranging from local stone and reclaimed slate to organic plasters and eco-paints star in Borgo Pignano’s meticulous restorations of its Villa, apartments, and farmhouses. The estate also restored ancient wall frescoes discovered during renovations.

Natural paths encourage walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking through Borgo Pignano’s forests and fields. To further encourage carbon emissions reductions while traveling in the surrounding countryside, on-site electric vehicle charging stations are provided for guests.

As native bee colonies around the world face collapse, Borgo Pignano is doing everything possible to save native bee pollinators. A broad cross-section of flowers and plants that attract native bees not only results in the finest Millefiori natural honey, but most importantly helps with bee conservation and pollination. Borgo Pignano’s “Honey Lab” is a favorite activity, where guests learn about bee-keeping and traditional methods used for extracting honey and beeswax along with understanding bee social structure, which links the Queen bee, drones, and worker bees.