VERY FEW PLACES ARE AS NOTABLE FOR WINE AS FLORENCE!

Welcome to the enchanting world of wine in Florence! If you’re a wine enthusiast, you’re in for a treat here in this historic city. Florence boasts an incredible wine culture that stretches back over 3,000 years, bringing with it time-honored traditions that are still very much alive today. One of these beloved traditions is the famous wine window or buchette  del vino.

These charming little windows, dotted around the city, are a testament to Florence’s rich past. As you wander the streets of this well-preserved city, you’ll have the chance to spot these unique windows—a nod to history that will make you feel lucky to witness firsthand. Finding wine windows is like a pleasant scavenger hunt!

In this post, I’m excited to guide you through many interesting things to know about Florence’s wine windows. I’ll tell you a little about their origins, explore what they look like, and share tips on where to find the most captivating ones. But now, let’s just take a sip from the goblet of history and discover the story behind Florence’s wine windows!

Wine windows are like these tiny, almost hidden, doorways tucked into the walls—think mini flaps that someone can open to pass out a drink. They’re so small you might miss them if you’re not looking closely! The servers often have room to hand out just one drink at a time.

What’s really cool about these little gems is their design. A lot of them look like mini church windows, with frames made of wood or stone. They’ve got that old-world charm that just grabs your attention when you are lucky enough to spot them.

Even if you’re not a big wine fan, seeing these wine windows in action is super intriguing. It’s like a cool slice of history right there in front of you, with people still using them just like they did centuries ago. Definitely something to soak in while you’re wandering the streets of Florence!

The coolest thing happening in Florence right now is that these wine windows, called    buchette del vino, are making a comeback! They’ve literally been closed for centuries, but with everything happening because of COVID, some creative folks have started using them again. They’re restoring these little gems to their former glory and bringing new life to them. It’s awesome to see history serving up some modern-day vibes!

A bunch of these buchette del vino have been beautifully restored, and it’s believed there are roughly 150 of them still around! If you’re planning a trip to Florence, definitely reach out to the Wine Windows Association. They’ve got this awesome map that’ll guide you to all the spots where you can check them out and enjoy a glass or two. It will feel like a little adventure through history!

And now you know!

A little something extra:When my paternal grandfather (Nonno) came to the United States in the very beginning of the 1900’s he established himself as a vinegar and later a wine maker. He would bottle his production in the basement of his rented residence on East 45^th Street in New York City.  My Little Nonna would tell me stories that my Dad at the young age of 9 or 10 would go to the stable on 45^th Street, ready the horse and buggy and drive it over to his residence where my Nonno would load bottles of wine and vinegar onto the buggy  and my Dad would make deliveries up and down the avenues even as far up as 125^th street and also collect the money. In the dead of winter my Little Nonna would fill a large glass jug with hot water and put it under my Dad’s legs and cover him with a blanket to keep him warm. Can’t ever imagine letting a child have that responsibility today. My Dad was the eldest of 3 sons and it was his responsibility to help his Father and this business helped put his 2 younger brothers through medical school and become doctors. Over the years 7 Sandronis have entered the medical field.

A few years ago with the help of Dan, a nephew in Arizona and a proficient wine maker I made “Sandroni” wine and bottled it. It would never be award winning but it certainly was heart warming.