Il Borro Toscana acquires Pinino Winery

Brunello di Montalcino producer Il Borro has acquired Tenuta Pinino in a move that will add around 80,000 bottles per year to the Ferragamo family’s output.

Brunello di Montalcino producer Il Borro has added the 21ha Pinino Winery to its existing vineyard of 84ha. The acquisition will see Pinino’s Brunello, Sangiovese and Rosso di Montalcino vines come under Il Borro’s ownership, boosting the latter’s plantings of Sangiovese alongside international varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

The original Pinino estate was built in Montalcino in 1874 and in 1950 Pinino was registered in the Brunello Winemakers Register as one of the first wine estates in Montalcino.

Following the acquisition, Pinino’s wines will also be served at all Il Borro restaurants including venues in Florence, Dubai and London.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about this acquisition, which allows us to expand our production and enrich our portfolio with the world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino,” said Ferruccio Ferragamo, president of Il Borro.

“It is a significant investment that will further elevate our commitment to excellence in winemaking. With Il Borro Wines, we aim to offer an ever-broader and higher-quality range of wines and labels.”

Il Borro has practiced organic viticulture on its estate since being certified in 2015. The Ferragmo family purchased the estate in 1993 with the aim of bringing the hamlet in Tuscany’s Upper Valdarno corner to life, and restoring its ancient castle and buildings.

The producer’s first harvest was in 1999, and the first 6,700 bottles of Il Borro Toscana were presented at wine trade show Vinitaly in 2001.

In 2019, Il Borro snapped up the neighbouring Vitereta estate and last year the estate’s revenue grew by 18% year-on-year to €22m.

Tuscan wine is thriving right now with the latest commercial release (2019) of Brunello di Montalcino hailed as a “five-star vintage”. Poggio Antico sales and marketing manager Riccardo Bogi told the drinks business: “When you read a book on how a vintage should be, that was 2019. I saw a lot of agronomists smiling – normally they’re extremely stressed.”

Meanwhile, Bibi Graetz set a new record when its Tuscan red Colore 2016 became the most expensive bottle of Italian wine ever sold. The 27-litre bottle sold in July for CHF 100,000 (£86,173), purchased on credit card by a Swiss buyer.

Related news

Eminent Greek winery founder dies aged 82

Sherry Week celebrates gastronomic potential of historic wines

Spain 'needs to learn how to market our fine wines', producer claims