Cathedral with Cellar

In one of the world’s most beautiful and renowned vineyards, on the sun-drenched slopes of the Dordogne Valley, sits Domaine de Château Faugères: Approximately 80 hectares (197 acres) of grapes surround a magnificent 18th-century Carthusian monastery. When the Swiss businessman Silvio Denz purchased the vineyard in April 2005, he knew he wanted to put in a new cellar. He had it installed on a plateau over the vineyard to utilize the force of gravity, rendering pumps (which can damage the juice from the grapes) unnecessary. Mario Botta, the star architect from Ticino designed a bold new cellar that makes a clear statement in the otherwise reserved Saint-Emilion region. This wine cathedral is nevertheless harmoniously integrated into the landscape: The stone blocks on the exterior are locally sourced, corresponding to the region’s traditional architectural style. Inside the 3,550-square-meter (11,000-square-foot) Chai – as aboveground wine cellars in France are called – lies the winemaking area; the administration offices, laboratory and tasting room are located in the three-story tower building. Botta recommended USM Haller, and now the office spaces in the old and new cellars are furnished with USM Haller in mid gray. The color perfectly harmonizes with the floors and the white walls of the new building. The elegant Haut Faugères, the grandiose Château Faugères and the Péby Faugères reserve, all of which are produced here, rank among the finest wines in Saint-Emilion.

Château Faugères, Saint-Emmilion (France)
Workplace for seven people
Furniture: USM Haller in mid gray; USM Haller tables in pearl gray laminate and natural oak veneer
Sales partner: Perspective, Brive (France)
Architect: Mario Botta, Lugano (Switzerland)

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