First Stone Laid at New Winery for Bodegas Protos

Spanish Agriculture Minister Elena Espinosa and Miguel Angel Carrascal, President of Bodegas Protos, layed the first stone of the Bodegas Protos Winery in Peñafiel, located at Valladolid in Castille, on Sunday 16 January 2005 at 1pm.

Designed by Richard Rogers Partnership in association with Barcelona-based Alonso, Balaguer y Arquitectos Asociados, the new facility will sit alongside the existing winery at the base of a small hill surmounted by a medieval castle.

A tunnel from the current facility will connect to the new 20,000m2 building and into its underground cellar. Effective use of the thermal ground mass means the cellar area provides cool storage for barrels at a constant temperature of 14 - 16 C. The production level is situated above, partly buried in the ground and accommodating the fermentation and storage vats as well as the bottling plant, packaging equipment, various technical areas and vehicle access bays. The main entrance level is for both workers and visitors, with additional ramp access for tractors delivering grapes, as well as space for visitors to view the production floor below. Both production and cellar levels also accommodate administrative and social facilities – offices, wine-tasting areas, areas for social functions and a small auditorium for presentations and marketing events. The scheme also includes a small sunken garden which frames views of the castle above whilst also bringing natural light down into the office space.

Five interlinked parabolic vaults are supported by large laminated timber arches to create a light, articulated structure. The south façade is protected by a nine metre roof overhang. A mixed-mode air system allows use of free night-time cooling in autumn and spring.

Completion is expected in 18 months.

For further information please contact: Silvia Fukuoka, Communications,
t: 0207 746 0435, e: mailto:silvia.f@rrp.co.uk