Spanish Wine and Architecture Exhibition Opens in Guangzhou

By Billy Jiang

The art of wine and architecture takes center stage in Guangzhou as the 'Architecture of Wine—Spanish Wine Routes' exhibition officially opened at Fei Arts Gallery on April 22.
Running through May 11, the exhibition is organized by the Spanish Tourism Board in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes Shanghai, four regional tourism boards—Catalonia, Castilla y León, Basque Country, and La Rioja—along with renowned Spanish wineries and architectural studios.

Following successful showcases in Beijing and Shanghai, Guangzhou marks the third stop of this touring exhibition, inviting the public to explore how Spain’s traditional wineries have evolved into contemporary architectural landmarks, offering a new dimension to wine tourism.

Visitors are treated to a curated journey through seven celebrated Spanish wineries, with stunning visual displays, architectural sketches, hand-drawn plans, and scale models highlighting the transformation of wineries into cultural icons.

The exhibition features the works of six architectural powerhouses, including Pritzker Prize laureates Frank Gehry, Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Rafael Moneo, and Santiago Calatrava, whose designs have reshaped the identity of wineries like Marqués de Riscal, Portia, Protos, and Ysios.

Curator Belén García-Noblejas invites visitors to embark on a journey 'from awe to inspiration,' beginning with striking marvels like the silver-and-gold waves of Gehry’s Marqués de Riscal and Calatrava’s dramatic Ysios winery.

A deeper look into sustainability unfolds with Norman Foster’s weathered steel masterpiece at Portia Winery and Richard Rogers’ traditional red-tile roofs at Protos, blending cutting-edge design with the natural landscape.

Meanwhile, Rafael Moneo’s careful restoration of the historic Mejorada winery breathes new life into a 16th-century monastery, connecting past and present through architectural storytelling.

The experience concludes with the subterranean elegance of Brugarol and Peralada wineries, where structures hidden beneath the earth celebrate the spiritual essence of wine itself.

Teresa Siles, Tourism Counsellor of the Consulate General of Spain in Guangzhou, emphasizes that the exhibition beautifully intertwines two pillars of Spanish culture—art and gastronomy—showcasing how modern wineries have become immersive spaces for wine education, cultural appreciation, and architectural wonder.
Through immersive videos, selected works from nearly 2,000 original documents, and two upcoming Spanish cultural talks, visitors are invited to dive deeper into Spain’s wine routes, where wine, architecture, and lifestyle form a seamless, unforgettable journey.
Admission to the exhibition is free, and it promises a sensory adventure that will captivate wine lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike.

In Conversation with Teresa Siles: The Spirit Behind Spain’s Wine Routes

That's: What inspired the Spanish Tourism Board to create this exhibition?

We wanted to show something very special about Spain — not just our wine, but the culture and beauty around it.

Wine tourism is growing very fast, and in Spain, many wineries have become architectural icons.
This exhibition shows how wine and architecture are two different languages that meet and create a unique cultural experience.

That's: How did you select the wineries and architects featured in the exhibition?

We chose wineries that perfectly combine tradition, innovation, and design.

The regions we highlight—Catalonia, Castilla y León, Basque Country, and La Rioja—offer some of the most exciting examples of this evolution.
Architects like Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava have transformed wineries into destinations where nature, creativity, and wine culture come together.
That's: What makes Spanish wine tourism so unique compared to other countries?
In Spain, wine tourism is not just about tasting wine.
It’s about discovering the landscape, the architecture, the traditions, and the lifestyle that surround it.
Each winery offers an experience where you can feel the passion behind every bottle and the artistry behind every building.
That's: Is there a particular winery in the exhibition that you personally love?
That’s a very difficult choice!
But if I had to choose, I would say Marqués de Riscal by Frank Gehry—it’s a building that really captures the magic between architecture, wine, and landscape.
When you visit, you don’t just see it—you feel it.

Discover how Spain’s most iconic wineries have transformed into cultural landmarks where architecture and winemaking intertwine. These modern bodegas are more than just functional spaces — they reflect brand philosophy, embrace natural landscapes, and elevate wine tourism into an art form. Whether sleek and minimalist or bold and sculptural, each design tells a story of passion, terroir, and innovation. Through elegant structures shaped by sun, wind, and earth, architecture becomes part of the winemaking journey—turning every visit into a feast for both the senses and the soul.

Until May 11, 2025

FEI Arts Building 9, Nan Er Jie, Haizhu Tongchuang Hui, No.88 Xinjiao Zhong Lu, Haizhu 

Source: ThatsGuangzhou