Modern Russian Winery for Connoisseurs
For a few years now, wineries and vineyards have been factoring architecture into their brands as a way to increase the exclusivity of their offerings. When visitors come to a winery, not only can they expect to sample some of the delicious wines produced on site, but they can now also have contemporary gastronomic experiences, luxurious stays in boutique hotels attached to the vineyard, and tours of the grounds and wine-producing equipment. To top it all off, these new features are often housed in sleek, modern buildings that epitomize the sophistication of viticulture and all its trappings.
The winery was designed by Russian studio Kleinewelt Architekten. One of the firm’s three founders, Nikolay Pereslegin, explained: “Gai-Kodzor wine is served in any neighboring restaurant, so it was necessary to come up with some ideas that would attract visitors. It is not just a winery, it should be a culture center with its lecture hall, cafe, observation deck and, prospectively, a small hotel. Such a versatile approach is unusual for Europe, to say nothing of Russia.”
The complex is indeed imposing, and everything about it — from its siting at the crest of a hill overlooking the rolling landscapes around it to its planar, pavilion-like appearance achieved by concrete and glass — puts the Gai-Kozdor Winery in a league of its own. The 1500-square-meter complex boasts a strong connection to the external environment by incorporating internal patios and atria into its organization and using large swathes of glass to allow visitors a visual connection to the exterior while they are inside tasting wines. The winery’s pavilion-esque appearance is also due to the fact that it’s been set into the ground to help it blend in more and prevent it from obscuring the natural topography of the landscape.