A visit to Tenuta Castelbuono is a journey into a world of art and fine wine. Its Carapace is the scuplture in the world wherein one lives and works, it’s a treasure trove of great wines – Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco – that are the spirit of Umbria at its most authentic. The winery is open for guided tours and tastings by reservation only.
For information and reservations
T +39 0742 361670 - hospitalitycarapace@tenutelunelli.it
Opening hours: from Monday through Sunday
10.00–13.00 and 14.00-18.00
The Carapace was born from the Lunelli family dream to create a cantina that would be a perfect showcase for their wines. The idea of a tortoise shell design for the winery came from their friendship with Arnaldo Pomodoro, whose sculptures adorn symbolic locations all over the world. Pomodoro enthusiastically accepted the challenge to create a work of art that would explore the confines between sculpture and architecture as it forged a dialogue with the landscape into which it would be set, as well as be entirely functional inside for the production of wine.
INSPIRATION
The Carapace stems from a close study of its surroundings. After the first visit, Arnaldo Pomodoro could already see what the project would look like. In his words “…it should not disturb the gently rolling hills over which the vineyards grew, it had to be perfectly integrated with its environment. I thought of a shape that would recall a tortoise, a symbol of stability and longevity which represented the timeless connection between the land and the sky.”
CONSTRUCTION
It took six years for the Carapace to be built. The work was done by a veritable Renaissance workshop under the sensitive guidance of Arnaldo Pomodoro, and, for the more technical aspects, with the highly professional skills of architect Giorgio Pedrotti. The Carapace presents itself as a large copper-covered dome, engraved with fissures that remind one of the furrows in the earth that surrounds it. A sculpted element in the form of a red dart plunging into the soil highlights the work’s place in the landscape.
