As lockdown measures gradually ease in many parts of the world, business owners strive to find ways to resume operations. It’s certainly not an easy feat, given the strict guidelines that they have to adhere to. Nevertheless, many continue to prove that, with creativity and resourcefulness, it’s possible to thrive in the “new normal.” And, now restaurateurs in Florence are using wine windows to ensure contactless transactions.
Also known as buchette del vino, these little hatches date back as early as the 1530s. Merchants initially used them to sell liquor discreetly and directly to their patrons, serving as a cheaper alternative to taverns. Meanwhile, wine sellers began to use these hatches more extensively during the height of the Italian plague in the 1630s. Apparently, these windows have been used for the same reason that they are being used now—to reduce the spread of infection.
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Business owners in Florence are reviving the use of 17th-century wine windows to ensure contactless transactions
At that time, sellers had also realized the importance of limiting contact with others. So, to ensure contactless transactions, they used a metal pallet, which they passed through the window, to collect payment. Afterward, they would disinfect it with vinegar to prevent the potential transmission of the virus. Nearly four centuries later, these nifty windows have made a comeback to help business owners adapt to the new normal. And now, they’re more than just for serving wine.
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For instance, Vivoli, a famous artisanal gelateria in Florence, uses these wine windows to serve gelato, coffee and pastries
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Meanwhile, Tuscan restaurant Osteria Delle Brache serves not just pizza but also its famous Aperol spritz through the hatch
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Similarly, restaurant and wine bar Babae keeps the tradition alive by serving glasses of wine straight through their buchette del vino
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Well, it seems like these “little wine holes” are here to stay
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At present, there are still over 150 wine hatches inside Florence’s old city walls alone. The nonprofit organization, Buchette del Vino Cultural Association, continues to work towards the preservation and restoration of these historical structures. Feel free to check out their website for the complete list of existing wine holes in the city of Florence and to learn more about their mission.