Wineries are always seen as a multi-functional location in which grapes are pressed, processed and aged yet there is so much more behind the representation of a business. In Italy, we have a fair share of Design Wineries that have been meticulously designed by both national and international influential architects. The idea is to integrate the wineries into the landscapes to decrease visual impacts and create a harmonious, futuristic type structure.
1
Cantina antinori,
Toscana
Opened in 2012, the Antinori winery in Chianti Classico is a hymn to natural architecture, designed by architect Marco Casamonti. It is a hidden gem, practically invisible from the outside except for two horizontal ‘loopholes’ that can be glimpsed on the hillside. The winery is part of Toscana Wine Architecture, the circuit of 14 wineries of excellence and design, signed by the great masters of contemporary architecture. The winery organises various visits to allow its guests to discover their world. The Tinaia visit will introduce you to the history of the Antinori family and the wine-making processes, together with a tasting of three wines. The Bottaia visit, instead, is an in-depth tour designed for wine enthusiasts that ends with a tasting of four wines. Lastly, the Cru visit: a complete immersion in the Marchesi Antinori production philosophy, with a tasting and lunch at Rinuccio 1180 to follow. In their shop, you will also discover a wide selection of labels produced on the Antinori family’s estates in Tuscany, the rest of Italy and the world, also to be tasted by the glass. WEBSITE
2
Tenuta Castelbuono, tenute lunelli,
umbria
From the mind of Arlando Pomodoro, comes a carapace that is a shell for art, nature and wine. This is how Tenuta Castelbuono, the Lunelli family’s winery in Bevagna (in the Perugino region), is known. This work stands in the midst of a balanced triumph between sculpture and architecture, recalling the severe stability of a tortoise. You can book a visit with tasting at Carapace. It starts outside, a stone’s throw from the vineyards. Here you are told how the idea of the turtle-shaped cellar was born in Pomodoro’s mind. Then the tour continues inside the structure and leads down to the basement for a visit to the rooms where the wine is matured. Between oak barrels, barriques and large steel casks, the Sagrantino production cycle is reviewed. WEBSITE
3
Podernuovo a Palazzone,
toscana
Podernuovo a Palazzone is Giovanni Bulgari’s winery located near San Casciano dei Bagni in Siena. Bulgari is naturally drawn to all environmental issues, and considers respecting nature an essential element while creating his wine, and this is highly reflected in the architecture of the winery designed by Alvisi&Kirimoto. A natural, Siena-coloured tone to integrate perfectly with the landscape and powered by geothermal energy as well as solar panels to reduce the winery’s carbon footprint. The wines produced at Podernuovo a Palazzone come from both national and international grapes planted across 26 hectares of land. There are three red wines: Therra, Argirio (single varietal Cabernet Franc) and Sotirio and one white wine: Nicoleo, a blend of Greghetto and Chardonnay. Each wine is an expression of the Tuscan soil that being so close to Monte Amiata, is composed by clay, limestone, sandstones and fossils. WEBSITE
4
Feudo di Mezzo, Planeta,
sicilia
Planeta wines is a family run winery whose first vineyard was planted by Vito Planeta and his son Diego in the mid 80s near Forte dell’Ulmo as an experiment. Now the winery is in the hands of Alessio, Francesca, Vito and Santi Planeta who are driving the company toward a sustainable ethos. With its 386 hectares of vineyards and 2.4 million bottles produced in seven cellars located in five territories (Menfi, Vittoria, Noto, Etna and Capo Milazzo), 151 hectares of olive grove, 5 locations dedicated to hospitality and wine tours, Planeta is one of the main players of the Sicilian wine scene. Amongst all the wine cellars, one of the most beautiful is the Feudo di Mezzo cellar, located halfway between their Sciaranuova and Montelaguardia vineyards, and conceived as a stone garden inside the lava flow of 1566. Each wine has a story, and each day Planeta is searching for new collaborations that express their enthusiasm toward the industry. One of the most recent projects is Serra Ferdinandea, a collaboration with Oddo. Together, they conceived an agricultural organism where the vineyards of Grillo, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Nero d’Avola, are set between 50 hectares of Mediterranean forest, as well as dedicating 10 hectares to the cultivation of chickpeas, white figs, ancient Perciasacchi wheat and 50 hives for the Black Sicula bees. Since 2022, every bottle is made out of recycled glass and all harvests are certified organic. WEBSITE
5
Feudi di San Gregorio,
campania
Feudi di San Gregorio is situated on the soft hills of Irpinia, an area known for its vineyards that alternate with fruit trees and olive groves, surrounded by evergreen landscapes.Established in 1986 by two Irpinian families, it is one of the first Design Wineries, carried out by the Japanese architect Hikaru Mori, and exhibited twice as architectural excellence at the Venice Biennale. Since its early days, the winery focused on the preservation and promotion of southern grape varieties such as Aglianico, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo, Feudi di San Gregorio offers a multitude of experiences that highlight both the winery and its fantastic location including various visits to the vineyard and the cellar, sensorial tastings that take you through a curated aromatic journey, the Marennà gourmet restaurant on the first floor (recently renovated by the architect Roberto Liorni), the vegetable garden, the Wine Theater for exclusive events and La Foresteria, a guesthouse in the vineyards for those who want to have an all-round experience and stay overnight. WEBSITE
6
Cantina Petra,
toscana
In Maremma Livornese, precisely in Val di Cornia, stands a winery that has the dignity of a monument. Mario Botta, the architect of the structure, wanted the measure, beauty and depth of the landscape to emerge. To achieve this, his project consists of a cellar organised around a cylindrical central body, at the centre of which are the winemaking activities. This winery is part of the Toscana Wine Architecture circuit. Discovering the Petra estate and winery means igniting the senses, indulging in curiosity and above all being cared for by a passionate staff for whom sharing the beauty of this place is the greatest pleasure. The moment of tasting links the experience of wine with that of food: the kitchen tackles the reinterpretation of the territory’s gastronomic identity with a light and confident hand, making use of Petra products and small local farms. The winery proposes 3 discovery routes: the Classic (ideal for those who want a streamlined and complete introduction to the reality of the estate), the Petra Under the Tuscan Sun (an immersion in the work and flavours of the estate) and the Petra Experience (a 3-hour itinerary to fully experience the winery). WEBSITE
7
Cantina Su’entu,
sardegna
From the union of the minds of architects Mario Casciu and Francesca Rango, came the project to extend the Su’entu winery in Sardinia by adding a new square building with a central courtyard. Here, the spaces follow the winemaking process, while keeping an eye on the territory. From the outside, the winery has the appearance of a cube of stone and white plaster that hides a fascinating world. The Su’Entu winery is designed to welcome visitors and guide them on a journey through the genesis of our wines, the flavours and traditions of our land. Those who choose to visit it will enjoy an experience that satisfies all the senses. Su’Entu offers four different tastings: the Class, the Mediterranean, the Gourmet and the Exciting. The rooms also lend themselves to hosting dinners, aperitifs and events of all kinds. WEBSITE
8
Cantina Alta Mora,
sicilia
The Alta Mora winery (in Castiglione di Sicilia) is a place that literally springs from the earth, built with natural local materials such as lava and coccio pesto. This structure was built according to the canons of hypogeal architecture and is integrated into the uncontaminated surrounding area. It optimally guarantees all wine-making phases thanks to the thermoregulation of the lava rock and the shelter from light. The company’s three products are linked by a common thread, the unpredictability and surprise they can reserve: Etna Rosso Guardiola, Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco. WEBSITE
9
Cantina della Tenuta Ammiraglia,
toscana
The wine cellar of the Tenuta Ammiraglia, in the heart of the Maremma region of Grosseto, is a cult place for design enthusiasts. Designed by Pietro Sartogo and Nathalie Grenon, the Frescobaldi family’s structure appears as a 130-metre slit in the ground, with the roof covered in plants. At the apex of the building stands a tall point reminiscent of a ship’s prow towards the horizon. This winery is part of the Toscana Wine Architecture circuit. The group offers to organise a visit to the Tenuta Ammiraglia according to the needs of the enthusiast. It also proposes a culinary experience through Tuscan proposals, enhancing the flavour and taste of their territory, together with the personality of their wines. WEBSITE
10
Rocca di Frassinello,
toscana
The famous architect Renzo Piano has only designed one winery, and it is the Rocca di Frassinello winery in the Grosseto area. This essential and functional building has its centrepiece in the very large square underground barrique cellar. It is reminiscent of an open Tuscan square, with a glass pavilion and a cellar lit from above by the sun’s rays transmitted by a ‘light-catching’ tower and a few mirrors. This wine cellar is part of the Toscana Wine Architecture circuit. At Rocca di Frassinello it is possible to choose between the Wine&Lunch experience, vineyard walks or staying in the flats of the Foresteria di Rocca di Frassinello for a relaxing stay, immersed in the unspoilt nature of the estate, and to experience all the production phases of the winery from the vineyard to the bottle. Many packages are also offered for experiencing the winery, such as the possibility of creating your own customised wine, working on the cuts of the base wines. WEBSITE
