What better occasion than an autumn weekend to discover the Italian excellence among viticulture and design? A starting point and a brief guide to some of the most beautiful design wineries in Italy: combine innovative architectures and tastings of great wines.
Ceretto, Alba
Immersed in the green landscape of the Langhe, Cantina Ceretto has two estates of great architectural merit: the Monsordo Bernardina in Alba and the Bricco Rocche in Castiglione Falletto. In the first, in the old farmhouse a new space with a modern design – called L’Acino (the Grape Berry) – was integrated. This area is dedicated to tasting, selling typical products, promoting meetings and cultural events. In the second estate, on the sum of the existing cellar, an ultra-modern work of art that guarantees a unique eye-catcher was placed, named Il Cubo (the Cube) -shown in the photo.
The wines from the cellar.
Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Langhe, Nebbiolo, Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante.
Visits and tastings.
At the Acino you can discover the Ceretto winery and wines through many dedicated guided visits: visit and tasting, in-depth information on Nebbiolo, tasting of the Cru and a “Wine Trekking” among hills, vineyards and Ceretto buildings.
Les Crêtes, Aymavilles (Ao)
Suspended above Aosta, the “Wine Refuge” was designed by architect Domenico Mazza next to the historic Les Crêtes cellar and clearly draws inspiration from contemporary alpine refuges. From this hyper-contemporary building of 170 square meters with minimalist design and large glass doors you can admire the vineyards, the profiles of the mountains and enjoy the wines and hospitality of this great Valdostan winery.
The wines from the cellar.
Chardonnay, Petite Arvine, Mon Blanc, Nebbiolo, Torrette Superiore, Fumin, Syrah, Pinot Noir, La Sabla, Mon Rouge, Spumante Neblù, Passito Les Abeilles.
Visits and tastings.
The Wine Refuge of Aymavilles is open for tastings (with a visit to the winery) for individuals or groups. You can choose different types of tastings: 3 wines, 5 wines, or 5-day tasting with a visit to the Côteau vineyard or an aperitif in the vineyard.
Mazzei, Fonterutoli (Siena)
Located in the countryside of the beautiful village of Fonterutoli, the estate of the young Mazzei winery is an example of how to marry the traditions and beauty of the Chianti area with a modern and innovative architecture. Mazzei winery, with its low environmental impact three-levels architecture which seem to want to “embrace” the surrounding vines, visually represents the link between past and future. The interior is not less charming: 74 tanks that allow separate processings of the grapes to protect biodiversity and 3000 oak barrels, whose temperature and right degree of humidity are guaranteed by five flowing rivers, without any artificial aid.
The wines from the cellar.
Chianti classico, Belguardo Maremma Toscana, Zisola Siciala Noto Rosso.
Visits and tastings.
Through the company website you can easily book one of the three Mazzei Wine Tours: the 75-minute Classic Wine Tour with tasting, the Private VIP Tour lasting at least an hour with tasting and private guide to the Tenuta and the Wine Tour Experience that begins with a sommelier from Mazzei who guides the guest in the cellar and in the tasting and ends with a lunch in the Osteria di Fonterutoli.
Tramin, Termeno (Bolzano)
One of the most beautiful wineries in Italy is hidden among the rows of South Tyrol: this amazing metal, concrete and glass building by Werner Scholl, built in 2010 on the original body of the Winery recalls the local Termeno vines with its green. But it is the glance of the structure among the landscape that strikes: a green cage that, thanks to the contrast with the luxuriant surrounding nature, seems to be a statue-shell left by Magritte’s imagination.
The wines from the cellar.
Gewürztraminer, Lagrein, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Roen, Stoan, Loam.
Visits and tastings.
In Termeno it is possible to taste Tramin wines without booking. To access guided tours with tastings it is necessary to book by phone or by email.
Frescobaldi, Magliano in Toscana (Grosseto)
In the heart of the Maremma, the design cellar of the Ammiraglia Frescobaldi estate was born from the project of the architect Piero Sartogo and today represents a design temple dedicated to production quality and respect for the surrounding environment: an aerodynamic design with smooth curves without impact on the environment thanks also to the renewable sources energy system.
The wines from the cellar.
Brunello di Montalcino, Gorgona, Mormoreto, Giramonte, Rialzi Chianti Classico, Montesodi.
Visits and catering.
At the Ammiraglia -the Admiral- it is possible either to simply visit the cellar or to enjoy an exclusive lunch or dinner with the best of Tuscan flavors interpreted by the chefs of the Estate. In both cases booking is mandatory.
Target Point, Italian Ideas
