The vineyard once owned by Leonardo da Vinci has been closed to the public after being purchased by billionaire Bernard Arnault.

For over five centuries, this site has been a link to one of history’s most famous yet mysterious figures.

La Vigna di Leonardo, or Leonardo’s Vineyard, is believed to be the last remaining piece of the vineyard that once belonged to the artist in Milan.

Located just across from the Santa Maria delle Grazie church, home to his legendary 'Last Supper,' what remains today is a few lines of vines in the garden of a Renaissance-era mansion, said to be all that’s left of da Vinci’s vineyard.

The vineyard is now closed with no announced reopening date after being acquired by Bernard Arnault, the world’s second richest individual.

Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, which oversees prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, Sephora, and DKNY, purchased the Casa degli Atellani – a pair of 15th-century buildings with a vineyard in their garden – in December 2022.

Nine months after the acquisition, the site remains closed to the public, with no word on when or if it will reopen.

The land Leonardo da Vinci once fought for.

The vineyard and Casa degli Atellani, once open to the public together, hold the rich history of Milan. The Casa degli Atellani consists of two 15th-century buildings, which were given to a local family by Ludovico ‘Il Moro’ Sforza, Milan’s ruler at the time, in gratitude for their loyalty.

Sforza later granted the land behind the houses to Leonardo da Vinci after he was impressed by the artist’s work on the 'Last Supper,' which he had commissioned. It’s said that Leonardo would retreat to his vineyard for rest after long hours of painting across the street.

Unfortunately, da Vinci didn’t get to enjoy the vineyard for long. A year after it was given to him, Milan was conquered by the French, who quickly seized the land, including the vineyard.

However, da Vinci never forgot his vineyard. In 1507, he successfully argued for its return to him after mentioning it in his 'Codex Atlanticus.' When he died in 1519, he left the vineyard to be divided between two of his servants. Over the centuries, the vineyard was passed down and partially cultivated by local monks before eventually being lost.

The vineyard was rediscovered in 1920, when architect Luca Beltrami sifted through historical records to locate the site. Sadly, shortly after, bombing during World War II covered what remained of the land.

It wasn’t until 2007 that a research team returned to the site identified by Beltrami, where they dug down to uncover ancient vine roots. Genetic testing revealed that da Vinci most likely planted the malvasia di candia aromatica grape in his vineyard.

The vineyard, now much smaller, was quickly replanted, and by 2018, it celebrated its first harvest. The small number of bottles produced each year have been sold at auction to support a local children’s charity.

Until recently, visitors could explore the house, which was renovated in the 1920s and again after World War II by Piero Portaluppi, considered one of Milan’s greatest architects. The building had been owned by Portaluppi’s family.

The hour-long guided audio tour took guests through Renaissance frescoes, intricately carved wooden inlays on the walls, and the clean, modern design of Portaluppi, before leading them into the garden and the vineyard itself.

Now, all of this is uncertain, as the last tickets for the site were sold on September 30.

For Francesca Grignaffini, a cultural travel designer in Milan, this marks the end of an era. 'It’s a double blow for me,' she says. 'Casa degli Atellani was a key part of my Leonardo itineraries and one of the most popular spots for foreign tourists. As a citizen, Milan has lost not only a unique place – the only vineyard in any city on the planet, producing the same malvasia grape that Leonardo grew – but also a venue that played an important role in the city’s cultural life.' She adds that she has attended concerts and fashion shows on the property.

'Casa degli Atellani wasn’t just a crossroads of Renaissance history in Milan; it was also one of Piero Portaluppi’s masterpieces,' she continues. 'Portaluppi, a multi-talented genius, reshaped Milan in the post-war era with a unique style that helped turn the city into a global design capital.'

'A symbol of Italy,'

An LVMH spokesperson clarified that the property was privately purchased by Bernard Arnault, not as part of the company. Dinogo has reached out to Arnault via LVMH for additional comments.

The spokesperson also mentioned that local media reports citing 'sources close to the family' suggesting the site will reopen in some form have not been denied.

'It will primarily be used privately, as it has been up to now, with one section reserved for cultural activities and public access,' said the unnamed source.

'The goal is to restore this building of historical and artistic significance to its former glory.'

They also mentioned that the project will be carried out in collaboration with local authorities.

The family has not denied the statement. If accurate, it dispels rumors that the site will be converted into a luxury hotel.

Francesca Caruso, the councillor for culture in Lombardy, told Dinogo that while she hasn’t had any contact with the Arnault family, she hopes the anonymous statement turns out to be true.

'I hope that the Casa degli Atellani and Leonardo da Vinci’s vineyard will continue to be accessible to the public,' she expressed.

'Finding a way to keep the site open would be a powerful statement of an institution that truly values the treasures that define our history and identity,' she added.

'I haven’t had the chance to speak with the owners yet, but it’s crucial that we find a way to keep this iconic 'da Vincian' site open to everyone. It’s a symbol of Milan, and a cornerstone of Lombardy’s and Italy’s cultural heritage.'

She proposed opening the site to the public during specific hours or on designated days and mentioned that the Lombardy region plans to develop a 'da Vinci circuit' – one that must include this pivotal location in Italian history and culture.