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Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes

Valdemonjas Winery by Agag+Paredes projects from a hillside in Spain

A+Awards: this wine production and tasting facility emerges from the vine-planted landscape of northern Spain, and was a recipient of a 2016 Architizer A+Award.

The family-run Valdemonjas Winery needed a new space to make their product and attract visitors, so architects Ana Agag and Silvia Paredes teamed up to design a landmark that would be visible from afar.

Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes

The vineyard is located in Spain's Ribera del Duero region, near to wineries designed by Foster + Partners and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

"We were captivated at first sight with the landscape, its topography and the quality of the vineyards," said the architects. "Integration into the existing landscape was one of our main goals."

The building is separated into areas for wine tasting, above ground, and wine making below.

Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes

As "the business card of the winery", the top section projects from the hillside and cantilevers out over the valley. Its external surfaces are streaked with horizontal lines, and punctured by an assortment of windows and openings.

Day-to-day operation of the winery happens at basement level, where fermentation of the grapes occurs in a central space.

Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes

The wine is then aged in rooms on either side – first in the Barrel Hall and then the Bottle Hall – before returning to the central area for labelling and dispatch.

Conceived as a traditional "wine cave", the Barrel Hall has a vaulted brick ceiling and was designed to maintain a constant temperature and high humidity.

Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes

The building is not connected to the electricity grid or any external water system. Instead, photovoltaic panels provide power and the slanted roof is used to collect and store rainwater.

Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes

Valdemonjas Winery was a winner in the Factory Warehouse category at the 2016 A+Awards.

Organised by Architizer, the awards promote and celebrate the year's best projects and products.

Their stated mission is to nurture the appreciation of meaningful architecture in the world and champion its potential for a positive impact on everyday life. Find out more about the A+Awards ›

More images and plans

Ground floor plan
Minus level one floor plan
Minus level two floor plan
Section one
Section one
Section two
Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes
Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes
Valdemonjas winery in Spain by Agag + Paredes