Leonardo da Vinci, Tuscan by birth, was a man who knew and liked his wine – his family were in the business. As part of his payment for the Last Supper tableau in Milan, he was given a vineyard by the then Duke of Milan. This vineyard meant a great deal to him for the last 20 years of his life – it was such a treasured possession that he passed it on to two of his most trusted staff upon his death.
For 2015 a decade of research and genetic analysis – some roots of the original vineyards were found in the garden formed after the place was all but destroyed by Allied bombing in World War 2 – has seen the vineyard recreated in the gardens of the fine Atellani House, a Renaissance palace just across the road from the church housing the Last Supper.
Milan was already a top destination on the European trail – the 2015 Expo made it even more so, and now this fascinating museum and garden only ups the ante!
Book tickets for visiting Leonardo da Vinci’s vineyard, Milan