Arezzo, 14 June 2024 – It’s a book that tells of the deep bond between the Ferragamos and the Viesca estate, on the Florentine hills of Valdarno, which was purchased by the family back in 1952. An unprecedented editorial project that follows the publication of the book two years later Il Borro Tuscany, another place in the heart of the famous dynasty of entrepreneurs. Surrounded by majestic mountains, immersed in a bucolic landscape with gentle features and intense colours, Viesca today constitutes, above all, the realization of a dream and a love project. It was, in fact, Salvatore Ferragamo, with his wife Wanda, who chose this place to transform it into a bucolic family retreat, and it was then Ferruccio Ferragamo who opened the gates, making it a place of hospitality, thus fulfilling his mother’s wish. The book, entitled “Viesca Toscana” was written by Ginevra Visconi, nephew of Salvatore and Wanda Ferragamo, published by Gruppo Editoriale. The first volume which tells in three illustrated chapters, full of anecdotes and intimate memories, the profound bond that binds the Ferragamo family to Viesca Toscana, the splendid estate in the Florentine countryside purchased by Salvatore and Wanda Ferragamo in 1952.
An unprecedented editorial project that follows, two years later, the publication of the book Il Borro Toscana. Surrounded by majestic mountains, immersed in a bucolic landscape with gentle features and intense colours, Viesca today constitutes, above all, the realization of a dream and a love project. It was, in fact, Salvatore Ferragamo, with his wife Wanda, who chose this place to transform it into a bucolic place family retreat, and it was then Ferruccio Ferragamo who opened the gates, making it a place of hospitality, thus fulfilling his mother’s wish. The first chapter tells the story of the estate dating back to the Renaissance period, when noble Tuscan families competed for fortresses and castles outside the city to transform them into their elegant summer homes. After the Guidis, the Acciaioli, the Orsi and the Grifoli Arrighis and then the Marchesa Enrichetta Nerli Michelagnoli, it was Salvatore and Wanda, in 1952, who fell in love with this oasis in the Valdarno, “where they can dedicate themselves to agriculture and raise their children in the beauty of the Tuscan nature”. This is how Viesca became the scene of many beautiful memories for his children and grandchildren: the grape harvest in September, the harvesting of olives, wheat and chestnuts, in contact with nature and with the farmers who still lived in the farmhouses of the property. In the second chapter, it is told how Viesca from a family retreat became a place of high hospitality, starting from Wanda’s dream, who with practical sense, clear vision and determination managed to restore all the buildings on the property, transforming them into villas surrounded by greenery .
Today, the offer includes Villa Viesca, the main house, 6 elegant private villas, as well as 17 modern suites in the center of the estate and the characteristic Family Cottage Due Torri with 3 suites inside, ideal for experiencing the beauty and peace of a special place, where the atmosphere ‘family’ is perceived in every detail. The furnishings still reflect the savoir faire of the owner of the house, far from excess, elegant in its essentiality. The memory of Wanda echoes everywhere: from the suites that bear the name of the iconic shoes of the historic “Shoemaker of the stars” (in fact the “Rainbow suite” is not missing); to the doorbell with the “Ferragamo Family” sign, to the wonderful gardens that still preserve the roses that Wanda loved so much and to the bee hives, which pay homage to her passion for beekeeping and her bond with the countryside. Photos and portraits of the Family are displayed on the walls of the rooms and corridors, in the suites you can browse the books of the Ferragamo exhibitions and the biographies of Salvatore and Wanda, to enhance the important heritage that animates this place, an emblem of timeless elegance. time. Viesca’s hospitality is also revealed in the farm to table restaurant concept of Il Borro Tuscan Bistro-Viesca, led by Executive Chef Andrea Campani, dedicated to Tuscan cuisine and quality raw materials. This year, completely renovated and expanded, the restaurant has a space dedicated to cooking courses and wine tasting and a Cocktail Bar with personalized drinks. There is also a Winebar with selected Italian and international wines. The gastronomic offer includes new events and recipes: from the Pizza Night with gourmet pizza to the new dishes dedicated to Wanda Ferragamo, present in the seasonal menus. Among these are the savory escarole and olive pie, the stewed meatballs and the Nerano Linguine, which Wanda loved to cook in the large kitchen of Villa Viesca for her children and numerous guests, creating special moments of sharing and joy, which today are come to life in the restaurant with its warm and familiar atmosphere. The same dishes are also the protagonists of the cooking classes where you can learn the secrets of family recipes.
