Südtirol | South tyrol | Alto Adige - alpitecture

excursion
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TrAmin winery, TrAmin
» Architecture: Architekt Werner Tscholl, Morter
» Client: Kellereigenossenschaft Tramin
» Construction Period: 2008 – 2010
The Tramin winery was established back in 1898 as one of the first winery cooperatives
in South Tyrol. The 290 members cultivate a total area of 220 hectares.
Every year, 1.2 million 0.75-l bottles are produced. The existing winery buildings were
not especially striking from the architectural point of view. The planned new construction
therefore sought a design solution that would also do justice to the key location
at the entrance to the town. The view from there goes across the seemingly endless
vineyards to the Kalterer See and to Mitterberg. At the same time, the structures form
the northern – until now not particularly attractive – entrance to the town.
In a selected design assessment, the unusual project by Werner Tscholl was chosen;
building was begun in the spring of 2008 and completed two years later. In a gesture
similar to outspread arms, two wings were added in front of the existing building, which
welcome those arriving in the wine village of Tramin to the most important winery of
the town. The wings form a two-story courtyard; and the steep road allows two entrances
– the lower access has a roof for deliveries of goods and the upper entrance is
open for receiving visitors. The new U-shaped building is placed in front of the existing
structure so that the latter is not immediately seen. In the design of the new structure,
the architect used forms reminiscent of leafless vines in winter. He translated the bizarre
shapes into a steel construction, which forms a frame for the glass façades at some
distance behind them. Visitors enter the ground floor sales area or the hall opposite to it
and are welcomed at this elevated site by an overwhelming panorama. The building has
symbolic value that fits the quality of the wines produced there and has already become
a destination for wine lovers interested in architecture.*
Wine
Gewürztraminer is wine indigenous to South Tyrol that made the wine village of Tramin famous and the winery has been practically
showered with international awards in recent years, especially for this wine. As usual in many areas of South Tyrol, this winery offers
different qualities of wine – the classics, cuvee wines, single site wines, and the top wines. Then as a speciality there is the Gewürztraminer
Spätlese, a sweet Beerenauslese or Trockenbeerenauslese, whose grapes mature on the vines until November. There is an
astonishing variety – in addition to Vernatsch, the classic Kalterer See wine that constitutes a third of production, the are the white
wines Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, sweet golden Muskateller, Müller–Thurgau, Gewürztraminer,
and Riesling and the red wines Lagrein, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Rosenmuskateller.
Three cuvées, Stoan, Roan, and Loam add to the variety of the highest qualified wines, whose showpiece is certainly the Gewürztraminer
“Nussbaumer”.
Recommendation: Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer 2009
Fascinating aromas of roses with notes of lychees and honey dominate this best of class.*
exTension oF The church, lAives
» Architecture: Höller & Klotzner Architekten, Merano
» Client: Parish of St. Antonius the Abbot and St. Nikolaus
» Construction Period: 2000 – 2003
» built-over area: 890 m²
» Construction volume: 8.400 m³
» 1st Prizewinner at 3rd South Tyrolean Architecture Awards
The Church of Saints Anthony and Nicholas was begun around 1250 with the Romanic
tower and chancel. In 1509, construction continued in the Gothic style and in 1650 in
Baroque. Finally, the nave was renovated in 1856 in neo-Gothic style, which is now to
be too small for the growing population. All previous suggestions to extend the existing
nave were rejected by the people. Only the current suggestion for an extension that
preserves the appearance of the old church met with approval.
The architects decided on an almost self-contained structure that does not give rise to
any sacred associations from the outside. It is subordinate to the old church structure,
separated by a glass connection through which the north façade of the church can be
seen. You enter the church as before through the main entrance in the old west façade
and through a side entrance in the south, which offers a more interesting spatial experience
in the axial relation to the new structure.
The old church area is now a day chapel with the baptismal font and confessionals.
The Romanic nave was opened up again and the main altar with the shrine image was
set back into it. The old church thus appears larger than before. The glazed connection
admits light from above, which modulates the old façade. The light that falls over the
back of the altar is stronger and lights up the huge cross above the altar from behind.
The warm tones of the Canadian maple paneling surround the observer, who feels transported
to a mystical world by the gently sloping walls and the upward-curving ceiling.
The floor is also slightly inclined down to the altar – as if one is walking on swaying,
holy ground. A room that simultaneously disconcerts and welcomes visitors. The gaze
is concentrated on the large golden cross that occupies the only right angle and thus
conveys safety to the room. Behind this transcendental staging are concrete walls insulated
with foam glass and steel supports. Façade and roofing are clad with Tombak.
But all the worldly aspects count little in comparison with the penetrating atmosphere
of this sacred room.*
excursion
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