In Cannubi a businesswoman is "L’Astemia Pentita" ("The Repentant Teetotaller") now devoted to Barolo. Her winery, designed by architect Arnaudo, consists of two big boxes. This is the first pop winery in the Langhe but the work provokes discordant reactions.
What is "L’Astemia Pentita" of Barolo?
In the precious cru of Barolo, Cannubi, appeared two overlaid big boxes of wine with a big notice in large letters: "L’Astemia Pentita". This is the new architecture of wine signed by architect Gianni Arnaudo from Cuneo, who played designing two bottle boxes in wood and stone that will house offices and the tasting room, while the rest of the winery is all underground.
Who is "L’Astemia Pentita"?
«I was a convinced teetotaller – the owner Sandra Vezza said – but for the sake of the Langhe I repented and converted to Barolo. A few years ago I had the opportunity to buy a farm and I found I had another passion, in addition to design. And when I started to make wine, I had the idea of making them converge».
"L’Astemia Pentita"is precisely the businesswoman Sandra Vezza from Alba, who has spent a career in the food industry with Italgelatine and in design with the historic Gufram brand.
Commissioning the unusual: the answer of architect Arnaudo
«I wanted a different from the usual winery and asked him to bring me a project that did not exist, I wanted him to think of a solution that was really new and that constituted a strong architectural sign», the entrepreneur said, who turned to her friend architect Arnaudo who accepted the challenge with pleasure: «the Langhe is a magnificent place to do these experiments that look at modernity».
Modernity to Barolo? Someone says yes and someone says no
The Venice Biennale welcomed positively "L’Astemia Pentita" but the new architecture is quite daring for a territory that recently has officially become a World Heritage Site. The businesswoman and the architect had predicted already in the design phase that the initiative could provoke strong reactions. Maria Teresa Mascarello is one of the most contrary voices: «I am increasingly shocked and disconsolate. We became Unesco World Heritage less than a year ago and we celebrate unpacking this latest affront at the town symbol of Barolo wine. Before there was an old farmhouse, now there are two quadrilaterals they want us to go for art and an inscription of questionable taste». She adds: «Now Barolo is set to become the Via Montenapoleone of wine and to lose its soul of agricultural country. If this is the Langa of the future, it is to ask for help».
Photo source: La Stampa
Source of News and Quotes: La Stampa
http://www.lastampa.it/2015/02/03/societa/le-langhe-si-dividono-sulla-cantina-pop-mSlJN9pstv6BXGjy5IhCDL/pagina.html
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03/02/2015
