during our recent holiday in italy, my husband, bob, and i decided to visit cantina antinori nel chianti classico (antinori winery in chianti classico) enroute from firenze (florence) to the beach at forte dei marmi.
in 2012, the antinori family moved their corporate headquarters from florence to bargino, which is located in the chianti classico region of tuscany. palazzo antinori, which was designed by an apprentice of filippo brunelleschi (1377-1446), had been the residence and headquarters of the antinori family since 1506.
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giuliano da maiano (1432-1490) | palazzo antinori (1461-1469) | piazza antinori, 3 | florence, italy
photo credit lisa walsh | innerspace
kim and kim from antinori’s california winery, antica, kindly contacted their italian colleagues to help us book a private tour and wine tasting. for our tasting, bob and i were able to request wines from any antinori estate. we especially looked forward to tasting the 2015 solaia toscana IGT and the 2015 tignanello toscana IGT, which recently received a 97/100 point rating from wine spectator magazine.
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architectural model of antica napa valley winery in the courtyard of palazzo antinori
photo credit lisa walsh | innerspace
florence architects, archea associati, won multiple awards for their innovative design, which conceptually and literally connected cantina antinori to the land. but, construction took longer and was more expensive than anticipated. (about 9 years, and 90,000,000.00 euros). first, 35 acres of the site were excavated. then, construction began on the hillside retaining wall. but, the wall started to shift because groundwater made the soil unstable. so, supplimentary geotechnical soil studies were conducted, the structural plan was re-engineered, and a 17,000 pile foundation was constructed. finally, the hillside on top of the winery was restored. and, the green roof was planted with vineyards.
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green roof | cantina antinori (2004-2013) | bargino, italy | architecture and landscaping by archea associati
photo credit archea associati
locally sourced building materials, such as terracotta, corten steel (which weathers naturally), wood, and glass, also connect the architecture and the interior to the land.
entrance | cantina antinori (2004-2013) | bargino, italy | architecture and landscaping by archea associati
photo credit lisa walsh | innerspace
facade | cantina antinori (2004-2013) | bargino, italy | architecture and landscaping by archea associati
photo credit lisa walsh | innerspace
ristorante rinuccio 1180 | cantina antinori (2004-2013) | bargino, italy | architecture and landscaping by archea associati
photo credit lisa walsh | innerspace
the space is organized in tiers, illuminated by round apertures in the green roof or terracotta terrace.
balcony level offices and terrace level hospitality facilities | cantina antinori (2004-2013) | bargino, italy | architecture and landscaping by archea associati
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
a sculptural corten steel spiral staircase connects the rooftop, terrace, and subterranean levels. but, the staircase had to be re-engineered and re-constructed after it collapsed under its own weight, causing additional construction delays and cost increases. the antinori family considers the project as a long term investment.
spiral staircase | cantina antinori (2004-2013) | bargino, italy | architecture and landscaping by archea associati
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace and (c) pietro savarelli via archea
the gravity flow winery has a natural climate control system, designed to minimize environmental impact and maximize energy savings. the subterranean wine cellars are naturally cooled. the shape of the vaulted ceiling and the ventilated construction of the walls, which are made from terracotta tiles mounted on a steel grid substructure, promote natural air circulation.
don’t the cantilevered rooms provide a spectacular setting for a private wine tasting?
grazie mille to our host, martina!
wine cellar and cantilevered tasting rooms | cantina antinori (2004-2013) | bargino, italy | architecture and landscaping by archea associati
photo credit (c) leonardo finotti via archea
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cantina antinori nel chianti classico
via cassia per siena, 133 | localita bargino
50026 san casciano val di pesa, FI, italy
+39 055 2359700
visite@antinorichianticlassico.it
3700 soda canyon road
napa, CA USA 94558
+1 (707) 257-8700 extension 1