Architecture has played in important role in many wineries around the world.
Some like the Chianti Classico estate Castello di Ama distinguish themselves by being a source of inspiration for contemporary artists as well as a place for them to create and display their pieces.
Lorenza Sebasti and her husband, winemaker Marco Pallanti add one artwork a year commisioned after meeting each artist and seeing there is a fit.
One of the artists is Michelangelo Pistoletto, part of the arte povera movement blending life and art.
I was introduced to their ongoing art project via Still life with vineyard by Maria Shollenbarger in FT Week-End (October 16, 17).
As for the wine, their approach echoes the Wine/ Fashion Parallels I mentioned recently.
For the 2009 vintage, IL Chiuso, a Sangiovese-Pinot Noir blend rounds up a trio of Pret A Porter wines (their words). The other 2 elements of this line are the Al Poggio and Rosato.
The trio can be ordered as a Prêt-à-porter 2009 boxset.
They explain their decision in detail . Here are the first few lines:
This new Il Chiuso, together with Rosato and Il Poggio, completes our “primary” line of wines, those that are ready to enjoy sooner and are more easily approachable, with moderate price-tags to match. If we were to compare our creations to those of the high-fashion houses, for example, we could call our Castello, Bellavista, Casuccia, and Apparita our “haute-couture line,” while Rosato Poggio, and Chiuso would be our “ready-to-wear line.”
Check the Timeline of their Art installations since 2000, artist by artist. Marco Pallanti draws a parralel between the notion of Terroir for wine and Genius Loci in the creative process.
Visits to the Estate are by appointment only on Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM.