Future storehouse of the Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion in Bordeaux The prestigious Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, the only château and winery located within the city of Bordeaux itself, is on the verge of constructing a new wine storehouse with the help of renowned designer Philippe Starck and architect Luc Arsène-Henry.
The two artists designed a 2,000 square meter structure that calls to mind the hull of an overturned ship. The design emphasizes "technical and raw" materials such as reinforced concrete, glass and metal.
Construction has just begun on the new multi-purpose storehouse, which will include four levels, each with a specific purpose, from an underground cellar -- located underneath a pond so as to preserve the ideal and constant temperature for wine conservation -- to a tasting room. There will also be a terrace with a panoramic view over the property.
A winery with the Péssac-Léognan appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), the Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion cultivates Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes.
Not the first of its kind, the tie-up reflects an overall trend seen in recent years, as châteaux owners seek to renew their facilities to appeal to growing demand for wine tourism. Noted French architect Jean Nouvel, for example, recently lent his expertise to the renovations at the Château La Dominique (Saint-Emilion) and the Château La Coste (Provence).
Source: Relaxnews