THE INAUGURATION OF THE “ROCCA DI FRASSINELLO” WINERY, OWNED BY EDITOR-WINEMAKER PAOLO PANERAI AND DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT RENZO PIANO… THE MAREMMA REGION HAS THE HONOR OF HOSTING A TRUE OPEN-AIR GALLERY

The inauguration is underway at the Rocca di Frassinello winery in the Maremma, which is the latest endeavor by journalist, editor and winemaker, Paolo Panerai who is already owner of Castellare di Castellina in the Chianti Classico region. The new winery was designed by none other than the world renowned architect, Renzo Piano, also a long time friend of Panerai, both having started their careers in Genova.

The winery is located in Giuncarico, in the municipality of Gavorrano, right in the heart of the Maremma region. It is situated in a natural amphitheatre just a few kilometers from the sea town of Castiglione della Pescaia.
The project, created by Piano, is situated almost entirely underground, where two distinct levels frame the barriques (which are moved with telescopic arms), the steel fermenting room, and the bottling and storing area. Outside, there is a tower, in front of which the harvested grapes are received in a sort of open-air square paved with terracotta tile. At the center of the square, facing north, is a pavilion made of transparent glass, with profiles designed in satined steel, used for receptions, direct sales and commercial activities, as well as musical and artistic events.

Besides being the first time that Renzo Piano has designed a winery, this project is also the first joint venture between Italy and France within the winemaking sector, sanctioned by the experiences with Castellare di Castellina and the holding Domaines Barons de Rothschild, owner, among other things, of Chateau Lafite.

With yet another pearl of enological architecture, the Maremma area can make a unique claim to fame: that of hosting a true open-air art gallery with the work by Renzo Piano in Gavorrano, together with the Cantina Petra by Mario Botta in Suvereto, and the soon to be inaugurated winery at the Biserno Estate of Ludovico Antinori, designed by Gae Aulenti.