Discover Tuscany’s Rooftop Vineyard at Florence Airport
Close your eyes and picture Tuscany, and chances are hazy romantic landscapes, cloud-grazing cypress trees, and billowing hills laced with endless grapevines will spring to mind. A haven for oenophiles, the region is renowned for its prestigious wines, from Chianti and Bolgheri to Brunello di Montalcino. Travellers headed to the Tuscan territories are often ready and willing to taste their way through the region’s finest offerings.
Many visitors to Tuscany fly into the region’s capital and often choose to spend a night or two in Florence. This delightful city offers spectacular art, architecture, and culture, making it a perfect starting point before exploring the verdant lands beyond. In January 2024 alone, Florence airport recorded 1,985 flights, and in 2023, it welcomed over three million passengers. To enhance the traveller experience and cultivate a deeper connection with the region’s wine heritage, significant upgrades are underway at the airport’s international terminal, including a new design, a re-oriented runway, and a captivating rooftop vineyard.
The 19-acre vineyard will gently slope upwards, reminiscent of the rolling Tuscan hills in the distance. This impressive space will host 38 vines, each measuring 2.8 meters wide and ranging from 455 to 570 meters in length. Between each vine, a 1.2-meter-wide skylight will allow natural light to flood the terminal below, creating an inviting atmosphere. Grapes will be harvested by leading vintners in the region, with production and aging occurring in on-site cellars.
Once completed, the vineyard will transform the airport from an otherwise ordinary structure into a remarkable landmark, allowing travellers to spot the hidden vineyard that embodies the region’s rich wine history. The new runway will accommodate more flights from the airport, while the redesigned 538,000-square-foot terminal is expected to increase passenger capacity significantly, with predictions estimating it will serve over 5.9 million international passengers. The first phase of the airport upgrade is anticipated to open in 2026, with a second phase following in 2035.
Conclusion
Tuscany continues to be a prime destination for wine enthusiasts, and the addition of a rooftop vineyard at Florence Airport further enhances its attractiveness. The unique feature not only fosters a deeper appreciation for Tuscan wines but also provides a pleasant gateway for millions of visitors eager to explore the idyllic surroundings of this renowned region.
