Inside the building, all spaces are exposed, from the partition walls that mark its structure to the mechanical systems: crossed by a long main axis that runs between the two central structural elements, the wine cellar opens onto the vineyards, becoming one with the surrounding natural environment. This is also thanks to the large glass walls, which let the light in with beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside.

We are in Palazzone, a hamlet of San Casciano dei Bagni, in the province of Siena, in the new Podernuovo wine cellar of Giovanni and Paolo Bulgari, who, in 2013, decided to create their own personal atelier du vin, an elegant and sustainable production facility immersed in the countryside.

Designed by the Italian-Japanese studio AlvisiKirimoto & Partners, the building has a total surface area of 4,500 square metres, including 115 square metres of offices, a 475-square metre vat cellar, a 415-square metre barrel cellar and an 86-square metre tasting room.

“My vision”, explains Giovanni Bulgari, Managing Director of Podernuovo, “has always been that of a company that preserves the environment in which it is located, instead of exploiting it. This is why Podernuovo a Palazzone almost disappears on its hill...I intended to minimise the impact of the facility on the environment, by relying on cutting-edge technologies and the most sustainable materials, and applying the same concept to production. Nowadays, technology and sustainability”, concluded the Managing Director, “are the elements that allow companies to achieve excellence in production.”

While the production areas are partially embedded in the ground, thus maintaining constant temperature and humidity, the main structures, the green roof and the geothermal system actively contribute to improving the thermal inertia of the wine cellar, since they are excellent elements of environmental sustainability.

Manni Group was one of the companies involved in implementing the Podernuovo project in Palazzone. With its subsidiary Manni Energy, it took care of the installation of a photovoltaic system capable of producing 23,000 kWh a year, which has allowed CO2 emissions into the atmosphere to be reduced by 12 tonnes per year.

A total of 280 square metres of Isocop, the polyurethane sandwich panel with a five-rib profile, was used for roofing on the entire building, since it is particularly suitable for agricultural and livestock facilities due to its high resistance to loads and ease of installation.