Our commitment for a sustainable future
Ethics and aesthetics meet in our desire for nature, beauty, harmony and authenticity. We believe that the land is not an inheritance we receive from our fathers, but a loan we must preserve for our children. For this reason, Palazzo di Varignana has defined a plan of actions intended to improve the sustainable footprint of the Resort and all its related activities. Diversification of energy sources, reduction and efficiency in water consumption, procurement of raw materials from short supply chain, planting of trees and conversion to organic of some crops.
These are just some of the chapters of this integrated plan toward reducing the environmental footprint that is being enriched with new goals and strategies every day.
Nature helps us in finding answers to the complex problems of this age, seeking to mend our relationship with the cycles and times of the seasons, respecting the earth and people.
Environmental and social responsibility, support for the community, for the land, for those most in need: moral commitments that are inscribed in our values, dwell in our intentions and manifest themselves in our everyday choices.
It is our commitment to leave a legacy for the future.
Environment
Since 2015, the estate has expanded to cover over 900 hectares of land. Specifically, 450 hectares are dedicated to olive groves (with over 195,000 olive trees), introducing the cultivation of olives, vineyards, as well as fruits and vegetables to the hills surrounding Varignana, which are used to prepare dishes in the resort’s restaurants. In numbers, our agricultural production has reached 52,000 liters of extra virgin olive oil and 101,000 liters of wine, in addition to the produce offered to our resort guests. Furthermore, we hold organic certification for the Claterna and Cabianca extra virgin olive oils, a step forward in making the products of our land healthier and reducing pollution caused by chemicals.
Following the principles of the circular economy, the products of our land are used to offer a farm-to-table (0 km) food and wine experience and to create our Varsana SPA cosmetic line, formulated with natural raw materials such as extra virgin olive oil, wine, saffron, and pomegranate.
At the resort, maximum attention is paid to renewable energy and reducing energy waste. The construction of the new 177.2 kW photovoltaic system actively contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The water basins, which cover an area of approximately 3,500 m², collect surface water and release it in a controlled manner as needed, allowing for a -54.27% reduction in water consumption compared to the previous year. Our vehicle fleet is evolving to become increasingly sustainable: today, it already features electric caddies and cars, hybrid vehicles, and an active conversion plan supported by strategic partnerships with local automotive players.
Environmental protection at Palazzo di Varignana also translates into a commitment to reducing plastic. For example, we provide all our guests with water in fully recyclable cartons (bricks), which helps reduce plastic use and facilitates disposal. The showers in the Varsana SPA changing rooms feature fixed dispensers with body wash and shampoo for our guests to use.
During their stay, we provide guests with our amenity kit crafted with zero-mile raw materials from local suppliers to minimize transport emissions and support the growth of the local economy.
People
An ambitious project is built on a foundation of good governance, investment in staff, and shared values, in order to enable consistent growth that remains respectful of people. Human resource management is based on promoting equal opportunities, empowering young talent, monitoring employee satisfaction levels, and fostering engagement in the workplace.
The number of employees currently working at Palazzo di Varignana stands at 176 people, reaching 229 when including the employees of the Agricultural Companies.
Women represent 54% of our workforce, and the gender pay gap is low and closely monitored. We promote youth employment, with a significant presence of under-30s within our team. We actively contribute to local employment: in fact, 79% of our staff reside in the province of Bologna.
The employer branding project continues, having involved all company departments with the aim of improving relationships between employees and the workplace environment.
In 2025, continuous investments in the professional growth of our team were ongoing, with an average of 6.4 training hours provided per employee, alongside a structured training plan enhanced year over year to ensure skill development across all staff.
Community
Preserving the values of our region is an integral part of Palazzo di Varignana’s mission, as is caring for and supporting the community to which we belong. Throughout 2025, our social commitment was strengthened through a series of high-impact charitable initiatives focused on social and cultural projects, with a total economic investment of €19,537.85 divided between financial donations, scholarships, and in-kind contributions.
Thanks to public relations activities carried out over the years, the resort actively contributes to promoting the Emilia-Romagna destination on an international level through press and communication efforts.
Our guests' holiday at Palazzo di Varignana is not merely a moment of leisure, but also an opportunity to rediscover the nature, history, and tradition of our region. Their stay transforms into a conscious, immersive experience thanks to the activities offered throughout the year, such as food and wine events and dedicated routes for cyclists and joggers within the estate.
Palazzo di Varignana views art as a foundational element of its identity and a powerful tool for generating shared cultural value. The resort houses an ever-expanding collection of art and archaeology, designed to offer an immersive experience.
We prioritize partnerships with local suppliers to support regional businesses, minimize transport emissions, and contribute to the growth of local economies.
Palazzo di Varignana collaborates with local organizations and associations through strategic partnerships, hosting cultural and social events in synergy with regional bodies, and driving charitable projects, including:
- CEFA Onlus: hosted the annual Charity Dinner to support the construction of water wells and educational gardens in Tanzania.
- Associazione Castello Insieme per l'Autismo: supported individuals through the "Piatto Solidale" (Solidarity Dish) initiative.
- Donations of farm-to-table food products.
- Fondazione Musica Insieme: ongoing donations supporting concert series and musical culture.
- Pink Pony Lottery – Fondazione Theodora: contributed to initiatives supporting hospitalized children by donating gifts for fundraising events.
- Ristoranti contro la Fame.
- Scholarships for youth: supported the right to education by providing scholarships for young residents in the Varignana-Palesio area and for the most deserving children of our employees.
Certifications and Awards
Palazzo di Varignana’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and high-level hospitality is demonstrated by the prestigious national and international milestones achieved in 2025.
Among these, the attainment of the international Green Key eco-label stands out—a global standard promoted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) certifying the responsible environmental management of the entire facility. This is complemented by the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification, an important achievement formally recognizing the company’s commitment to adopting policies aimed at gender equality, inclusion, and the enhancement of diversity in the workplace.
The year also saw the awarding of a Special Mention in the category “Best Social Redevelopment Innovation and Citizen Science” at the Emilia Sostenibile Award, organized by UCID and Confindustria Emilia, which selected our integrated regenerative agriculture model among the top 10 most virtuous projects in the region, featuring a dedicated feature in the volume “Sustainability in the Motor Valley.”
Alongside these are significant awards related to hospitality, dining, and communication: the Readers’ SPA Award as part of the Condé Nast Awards for Excellence, the confirmed mention of the restaurant Il Grifone in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide 2025, the Information Campaign Award presented by GIST (Italian Tourism Press Group), as well as numerous international awards granted to Agrivar wines and our extra virgin olive oil.
