Family-owned Marchesi Antinori is likely the most well-known Italian winery, having been in operation since 1385. Marco Casamonti, a founding partner of the Archea firm, created the famed winery in the Chianti Classico region of Bargino, Italy. This Temple of Wine, as Forbes' Larry Olmsted refers to it, is nestled among olive gardens, vineyards, and oak trees. It is buried and blends into the scenery.
The winery reflects the Antinori family's past, present, and future while upholding tradition and innovation. It was envisioned as an unseen building that blends into the folds of the slope, becoming one with nature. It presents wine as a rich heritage that man has evolved since prehistoric times, extracting not only flavor and color from grapes but also a way of life.
In terms of architectural technique, its green roof blends in seamlessly with the rural hillside. Only a pair of slit apertures filled with glass indicate the structure's presence. The architects were anxious to acknowledge the winery's profound ties to the land, a bond that is ingrained in the winemaking heritage. They ensured that the building merges with the landscape and respects this relationship. The ground is a natural insulator, ensuring a consistent inside climate and keeping the wine cool during the summer. The facade runs horizontally over the contours of the slope, parallel to rows of vines. It is barely visible from the outside. The panoramic restaurant terrace with views of vineyards is what draws attention to the building.
The winery is divided into two major floor levels for operational purposes. The lower floor is dedicated to wine production and storage. The center of the winery, where the wine matures in barrels, is a secret hallowed sanctuary. It is kept in the dark due to its limited human function. Furthermore, it is held in perfect thermo-hygrometric settings to allow the wine to mature slowly. The storage cellars are double-volume rooms with terracotta wall cladding.
The museum, library, 200-seat auditorium, and shopping and wine tasting sections are among the visitor amenities on the upper floor. It is a tourist spot where visitors can learn about the Antinori family's history while also witnessing their prized, centuries-old art collection.
The tasting room offers a comprehensive selection of Antinori wines. The Antinori family, accustomed to high quality, took on an ambitious project, allowing Archea to design everything down to the furnishings and fixtures. The end result is nothing short of perfection. Successful architecture is dependent on the proper customer.
The winery's material palette highlights its natural and sustainable aspects. It emphasizes the strong and deeply ingrained ties to the earth, as well as the complete respect for the natural surroundings. The use of terracotta, a clay-based unglazed ceramic block, as wall cladding is stunning. Other materials artfully integrated into the winery include wood, worn steel, and glass.
Two circular atriums and multiple round openings pour sunlight into the building's depths, lighting the underground complex. One atrium has a spiral staircase connecting the building's two levels. These circles form a motif that, when combined with slanted columns, walls, and an undulating canopy, demonstrates a lexicon of sculptured, organic abstraction. The use of circular forms corresponds to the shape of wine barrels, bottles, and glasses, creating an intriguing play of symbolism.
Between 2006 and 2013, there were numerous obstacles in the way of this masterpiece's completion. The process began with a huge excavation of the hillside that would house the edifice. Due to a high water table, the large retaining wall against the hillside seems to have moved a few inches a year after building started. The engineer's approach involved drilling thousands of piles into the hillside and draining water through a network of enormous wells. This nearly increased building costs to more than $130 million.
All things considered, the Antinori Winery accurately captures the social and cultural significance of the region where wine is made. The building is a genuine expression of a true fusion of culture, class, purpose, and the natural surroundings. It transforms the terrain rather than simply occupying it. This is Architecture with a capital A, Clink.
Project Information
Architects: Archea Associati
Location: Bargino FI, Italy
Project Team: Laura Andreini, Marco Casamonti, Silvia Fabi, Giovanni Polazzi
Project Year: 2012
Photographs: Pietro Savorelli, Leonardo Finotti
