Amazing Winery Architecture And Design In Argentina
From European designs to a fusion of nature and human craftsmanship, Argentina’s wineries have transformed into exquisite temples of wine. Explore this region and its stunning architecture.
What other reasons are there to love wineries besides the wine they produce? I know, it’s a tough question. I found the answer long time ago, when I was about to go home after a hard day at work in a winery. I was walking fast towards the door, then I stopped for a moment to admire the beauty that surrounded me. The clear sky, the vines, the Andes Mountains, and the spectacular design of the winery captivated me. It’s hard not to fall in love with Argentina’s wine country. I realized how fortunate I was to be working in this industry and being able to spend most of my time in magnificent places like that one.
Amidst nature’s splendor, in all this beauty I found the touch of humanity, specifically through the work of an architect. Architects are like magicians that create amazing buildings and structures to complement the landscape.
When designing the modern wineries that I describe below, the Argentinian architects were not trying to compete with nature. Instead, they tried to blend their work with the surroundings. This isn’t an easy task when designing a factory-like building which main purpose is winemaking. Yet, they managed to pull it off successfully.
Old Wineries design
Most of the oldest wineries in Argentina were founded by Italian and Spaniard immigrants. Therefore the design of those buildings resembles European architecture.
They were built with local materials. Most of the wineries established during the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century have pitched roof, reed ceiling and thick walls made of mudbrick, or adobe in Spanish. The adobe isolated the interior of the building to keep it cool during the hot sunny summers.
Some examples of these architectural styles can be found in wineries such as Los Toneles and Cavas de Weinert.
Bodega Los Toneles: This winery was built in 1922 and is located in Guaymallén, Mendoza. The provincial government designated it as a historical and cultural site due to the preservation of its original architectural design by the current owners. Visitors can also view the genuine vitro windows.
Cavas de Weinert: It’s located in Luján de Cuyo. It was built in 1890 and then fully restored in 2003. Its design was inspired by the Mannerist architecture.
Modern Wineries design
Since the 90s, several modern wineries have emerged in the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo. Many of these iconic establishments were designed by the Bormida & Yanzon studio, with the goal of integrating their architectural design seamlessly into the natural landscape.
Stones, along with concrete and steel, are the primary materials utilized in constructing these buildings. Alfa Crux, formerly known as Bodega O.Fournier, and Bodegas Salentein are good examples of this style.
Alfa Crux: It was founded in 2004. At a distance, it resembles a spaceship nestled among vineyards. As you get closer, its otherworldly beauty becomes apparent. Concrete, steel and glass were employed to cause a strong visual impression, as requested by the former owner.
Bodegas Salentein: This is a huge winery founded in the 90s. It has the most beautiful cellar in Argentina— this is a bold claim considering the splendor of many other winery cellars, yet I believe many would agree. Bodegas Salentein is a pioneer in wine tourism in the region, consistently focusing on highlighting the area’s landscape and local culture.
This winery has three main structures: the production building, the visitor center and a chapel.
GRAVITY-FED WINEMAKING SYSTEM
Many of these modern wineries utilize a gravity-fed winemaking system. This means that the first steps of the winemaking process, such as the selection of the grapes, begin at the upper level. The grapes are then moved down to steel, concrete or oak tanks for fermentation. Ultimately, wine is transferred further down to underground cellars, where maturation takes place. By using this system winemakers avoid or minimize the use of pumps because the grapes are gravity flowed into the tanks. As a result, the wine preserves more aromatic compounds and flavors.
This post is an introduction to winery architecture and design in Argentina. In upcoming posts, we’ll explore the experiences these wine temples offer to help you plan your next trip to Argentina’s wine regions.
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