California – The Donum Estate, one of California’s finest Pinot Noir producers, is adding a pavilion by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson to its illustrious art collection. The 200-acre winery already has a sizeable collection of sculptures, but Eliasson's contribution serves a more practical purpose.
The Vertical Panorama Pavilion, which was completed by Eliasson’s collaborative design practice Other Spaces, is intended to translate the wine-making process into a physical experience. A conical canopy with a 14.5m diameter and 832 vibrant glass tiles that depict the seasonal weather is the pavilion’s distinguishing feature. ‘It’s about celebrating the ephemeral, bringing to your attention everything that’s often unquantifiable, and therefore often forgotten,’ says Olafur Eliasson.
Allan Warburg, the co-owner of The Donum Estate, which was built to accommodate up to 12 guests, says: ‘I will bet that our wine, if you taste it in here, will taste better than if you are tasting it anywhere else.’ By becoming an arts destination, The Donum Estate is comparable to Château La Coste, another winery placing art and architecture centre stage.
Strategic opportunity
Consider how art can become a placemaking opportunity while also being a way to attract customers to hospitality destinations