Biodiversity and sustainability
An Estate with zero carbon dioxide emissions
Respect for the territory is at the core of our company philosophy and this is achieved by using renewable energy sources which result in zero carbon dioxide emissions. Il Borro, in fact, produces more energy than it uses with solar panels which provide energy for the cellars, for the accommodations, the restaurants and offices and amounts to a saving of 930 tons of Co2 per year; this is the equivalent of a car driving around the world 225 times or 77,500 trees’ Co2 absorption in one year.
The Environment and Innovation
A further step towards complete energy autonomy was possible with “zero bill” houses: these are efficient structures which afford great savings since they operate exclusively with renewable energy. Some of these structures have also been provided with a sophisticated system that recovers rain water, which is then directed to special tanks during the rainy season and used later to irrigate the gardens. The roof of the Tabaccaia, a typical building used to house agricultural equipment is fitted out with a water recovery system which is used in the treatment of the vineyard.
Organic and biodynamic agriculture
The cultivation of the soil in Il Borro is carried out according to the principles of organic farming, applying and specifically chosen fertilization methods and integrated treatments for pests. In line with the vegetative cycle, phytosanitary treatments begin after the budding phase. These are achieved by organic methods involving sexual confusion based on phytohormones acting against moths, and copper and sulfur for protection against powdery mildew and downy mildew. In addition, ecological practices play an essential role in plant protection.
Good sustainability practices
Moving from the vineyard to the cellar, tanks are not washed with detergents but with high pressure water jets. Good practices have been adopted even in the catering sector in order to limit environmental impact: at the Osteria del Borro, the restaurant located in the Estate’s heart, chemical products are not used to the clean the premises. Rather, as of 2015 hygiene is achieved with an innovative ozone sanification plant. The Osteria del Borro was one of the very first restaurants to use this method. In 2022 at Il Borro we have taken another little step toward sustainability, by giving all our guests a flask to refill with drinking water at the many water points in the Estate, in support of our commitment to eliminate plastic.
Find the water points
Circular economy
The love for nature is also expressed in the respect for the animals living on our estate: our horses, the chickens and the Chianina cows. These are essential for the production of the material required for biodynamic methods such as cow horn manure and horn silica. All our animals are fed with fodder and organic feed produced on the estate itself.
In favor of biodiversity
Beekeeping plays a major role in the estate’s philosophy which after all is fundamental for all daily activities, for the environment and for the eco system in general. Protection of pollinating insects is essential, since these play an important role in the pollination of a vast range of crops and wild plants. And this is the very reason why Il Borro is a beekeeper. Queen bees, drones and worker bees colonize the natural organic reserve on the estate with its 30 beehives. The 1100 organic hectares, where the beehives are located, make it possible to produce totally organic honey which further characterizes the territory.
