The Antinori Family Announces Opening of its Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar

An expansive project inviting guests to get an inside look of the 625+ years of a family’s Italian winemaking history for the first time

Marchesi Antinori, the family-owned Italian wine company that has shaped the wine industry and culture over the past 625 years, has announced plans to officially open its revolutionary, state-of-the-art facility in Bargino, Italy: Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar. This groundbreaking project, scheduled to open to the public in mid-March 2013, will be the first time in Antinori’s illustrious history that visitors will be able experience the family’s winemaking process first-hand, learn about the family’s history, and view the family’s prized, centuries-old art collection.

The project, masterminded by the 25th and 26th generations of Antinori (Marchese Piero Antinori and his daughters, Albiera, Allegra and Alessia) was initially conceived in 2005 with the idea of presenting the deep-rooted wine tradition and continuous innovation of the family company. The Antinoris explain that, “tradition, in essence, is simply an innovation which has shown its validity over time. The concept for our new cellar is based on this conviction.”

Locals and visitors will now be able to look into the company’s 26 generation history and future through a multi-faceted project that includes a winery, restaurant, auditorium, museum, wine and book shop. Located 20 minutes outside of Florence and 30 minutes outside of Siena, this will be a must-see attraction that combines centuries of experience, yet astonishingly delivers quite contemporary results. “The project represents history, but, more importantly, it’s a new vision for the forthcoming 26 generations of Antinori. It pleases us to think that hard work and passion will continue into the future, using this facility as a foundation to build upon tradition without being subjected to it,” explains Marchese Piero Antinori.

The Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission into the facility will be 20 Euro (roughly $27 USD) and tickets can be purchased onsite or in advance via the website. For more information regarding timetable and opening days, please visit: www.antinorichianticlassico.it.

Over the past seven years the Antinoris have brought together some of the most talented artists within Italy to bring their vision to life. The collaborations began with one of Italy’s leading architects, Marco Casamonti – founder of the Archea Associati studio – who developed an extraordinary work of architecture hidden amongst the olive groves, vineyards, oak trees, quite literally within the hillside underbelly covered with vines. A temple dedicated to wine, but above all an homage to the Tuscan landscape.

Concealed within a hill in Chianti Classico, the expansive facility unveils an entire underground world of Antinori. The only site to be seen from street level is the restaurant terrace looking out onto the expansive Chianti vineyards. Below are several levels of contemporary architecture that house: a winery and tasting room where the full portfolio of Antinori wines can be tasted; a museum featuring pieces from Antinori’s historic art collection; a wine and book shop and more. Stationed between each of the attractions are remarkable sculptures and icons by artist collaborators, which demonstrate incredible artistry and philosophical meaning.

More details regarding the exceptional features of Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar include:

Design: The architectural project highlights the cultural and social importance of the winemaking region and was created by Florentine architect, Marco Casamonti, one of the founders of Archea Associati Studio. For this project Marco selected many natural Tuscan materials such as terracotta of Impruneta (a Tuscan region known for its impeccable production of terracotta) and Corten iron. Using natural local elements, Marco forged a strong relationship that inextricably links the structure with nature.

Florentine engineer, Paolo Giustiniani of Hydea Studio, focused on creating a space that evokes harmony, light and balance. The engineering is influenced by the natural environment and is designed specifically to minimally impact it and encourage energy saving.

Art: Representing the common thread of tradition and innovation, the curated collection delivers avant-garde art that speaks to traditional works: historic pieces from the family legacy alongside works from international artists of contemporary fame. Pieces from the family’s collection, collected over centuries include: wine press of Leonardo da Vinci, the family coat of arms created by Giovanni Della Robbia and historic family books, documents and photos.

Contemporary artists featured on site include Rosa Barba, Yona Friedman and Jean Baptiste Decavèle. Rosa Barba, one of the most significant Italian artists of this generation, created a monumental work which explores changing the architectural space into a timepiece. Yona Friedman is an architect and theoretician known for his practical utopias. On the Antinori property he rethinks the function of the museum space, which becomes a spatial structure that can be displaced, moved or reconfigured. Jean Baptiste Decavèle – a photographer and film director – delivers a refined visual narration depicting objects from the Antinori Palance in Florence through careful close-ups that linger on details and reveal the objects’ true essence.

Food: The restaurant will officially open in March 2013 (7 days a week, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.). The menu will offer typical dishes and exclusively highlight products from the Chianti region. The space has seating for 60-100 people daily (depending on the season). Reservations are highly recommended; and groups of 20 or more will need to have a reservation.

Wine: The Antinori family will produce the following award-winning and carefully crafted wines at the new property: Pèppoli, Villa Antinori and Vinsanto Tenute. The Antinori organic olive oil Pèppoli will eventually be produced on site as well.

Since 1385 the Antinori family has carried on their mastery of winemaking, producing exceptional wines and is one of the only families who can claim such prestige while also having the drive to pioneer within the Italian and global wine industries. This Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar project undoubtedly represents the continued novelty that the brand has carried for centuries and will carry for centuries to come.

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