Exclusive: Mystery Billionaire Seals Off Leonardo da Vinci's Vineyard from Public Access

Sign up for CNN Travel's Unlocking Italy newsletter to get insider information on Italy's most popular destinations as well as its lesser-known regions for planning your dream trip. Additionally, we'll help set the mood with movie recommendations, reading lists, and recipes from Stanley Tucci. And for over five centuries, it has served as a link to one of history's most renowned and enigmatic figures.

La Vigna di Leonardo, also known as Leonardos Vineyard, is believed to be the remnants of Leonardo da Vinci's vineyard in Milan. Across from the Santa Maria delle Grazie church, where his renowned "Last Supper" fresco attracts visitors from around the globe, a few rows of vines in the rear garden of a Renaissance mansion are said to be the surviving portion of da Vinci's former vineyard.

However, the Casa degli Atellani, where the vineyard is located, now remains shuttered without any announced reopening date. This is due to its recent purchase by French billionaire Bernard Arnault, who is known as the second wealthiest individual in the world. Arnault serves as the CEO of LVMH, a powerhouse company that owns renowned luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, Sephora, and DKNY. In December 2022, he acquired the Casa degli Atellani, which comprises two interconnected 15th-century houses and includes the vineyard in its backyard.

Nine months after the sale, the site has been closed to the public, with no confirmation on whether it will ever reopen.

The land Da Vinci fought for

The Casa degli Atellani has been bought by billionaire Bernard Arnault.

The vineyard and the Casa degli Atellani, which were both open to the public, have a significant history that tells the story of Milan. This historic house, actually consisting of two houses dating back to 1490, was bestowed upon a local family by Ludovico Il Moro Sforza, the ruler of Milan at that time, as a token of gratitude for their unwavering loyalty.

After being impressed with da Vinci's progress on the commissioned "Last Supper," Sforza generously awarded him with land situated behind the houses. Leonardo would often retreat to his vineyard for relaxation after a strenuous day of painting. However, his enjoyment of the vineyard was short-lived as Milan was soon conquered by the French, resulting in the swift confiscation of the land, including the vineyard.

However, da Vinci did not forget about his vineyard. He took meticulous notes about it in his "Codex Atlanticus" and successfully advocated for its return to him in 1507. Following his death in France in 1519, he bequeathed the vineyard in his will to be divided between two of his servants. Over the years, both portions of the vineyard were handed down through generations, with local monks partially tilling the land. Unfortunately, it was eventually misplaced and lost.

In 1920, architect Luca Beltrami managed to rediscover the vineyard by meticulously searching through historical documents to determine the exact location of the maestro's property. However, the land was soon covered and destroyed during the bombings of World War II.

In 2007, a research team specializing in the field returned to the site identified by Beltrami. They conducted excavations and performed genetic testing on ancient vine roots. The results revealed that da Vinci had probably cultivated the malvasia di candia aromatica grape in his vineyard.

Afterward, the vineyard, which had significantly reduced in size, was promptly replanted. In 2018, it yielded its first harvest. The limited quantities of wine produced each year are now auctioned off to support a local children's charity.

Visitors have previously been able to freely explore the house, which underwent renovations in the 1920s and after World War II by Milan's esteemed architect, Piero Portaluppi. The building was owned by Portaluppi's family.

During the hour-long tour guided by an audioguide, visitors had the opportunity to admire Renaissance frescoes, intricately carved wooden inlay on the walls, and Portaluppi's sleek and modern architectural style. The tour concluded with a visit to the garden and the vineyard.

Now, all that is in question, with the last tickets to the site sold on September 30.

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For Francesca Grignaffini, a cultural travel designer in the city, it is the end of a significant era. "It is a double blow for me - Casa degli Atellani was a vital part of my Leonardo itineraries and was highly sought after by foreign tourists. As a citizen, Milan has lost not only a truly unique place - the only vineyard in a city worldwide that produces the same malvasia as Leonardo did - but also a place that played an integral role in the cultural life of its citizens." She recalls attending concerts and fashion shows on the property.

"Casa degli Atellani was not only a meeting point that shaped the history of the Renaissance in Milan, but it is also one of the masterpieces of Piero Portaluppi, a brilliantly talented individual who revamped Milan in the post-war period. His distinctive style elevated the city to become a global design capital," she added.

A symbol of Italy

A spokesperson for LVMH said that the property had been purchased privately by Arnault, not for the company. CNN has reached out to Arnault via LVMH for further comment.

The spokesperson did not deny the local media reports quoting "sources close to the family" that suggested the site would reopen in a certain manner. According to an undisclosed source, the site will primarily be used privately, as it has been in the past, with a portion dedicated to cultural activities and open to the public.

"The idea is to bring back this building of historical and artistic importance to its original splendor."

They added that the project would be developed in consultation with the local authorities.

The family has not denied the statement, which, if true, dispels rumors of the site being transformed into a luxury hotel. Although Francesca Caruso, councillor for culture in the Lombardy region, has not yet communicated with the Arnault family, she expresses her hope for the validity of the anonymous statement.

"I hope that the Casa degli Atellani and Leonardo da Vinci's vineyard will stay accessible to the general public," she expressed. "Resolving this matter in order to ensure ongoing public entry to the premises would exemplify an establishment that genuinely values the treasures signifying our heritage and cultural heritage."

I haven't had the chance to hear from the owners, but it is crucial that we discover a means to maintain this da Vincian site accessible to the public. It represents Milan and the rich cultural heritage of Lombardy and Italy. She proposed implementing specific hours or days for public access to the site and mentioned that the Lombardy region aims to establish a "da Vinci circuit" that cannot overlook such a significant location for Italian history and culture.