Sir Norman Foster has designed wineries more than once, having studied all the subtleties of the wine-making process over the years, so in the new Le Dôme winery he focused on how to most delicately fit the building into the UNESCO-protected landscape of the Bordeaux region. 

The domed building plays off the name of a famous winery, does not violate the beauty of the landscapes and is both an effective space for wine production and a kind of frame for the surrounding landscapes.

Photo: Nigel Young

Photo: Nigel Young

“When Jonathan Malthus first approached us, he described a winery where the main character is the landscape surrounding it. The idea was to harmoniously fit the building into the atmosphere, while creating a cozy space for visitors and wine lovers”» says Sir Norman Foster. 

Photo: Nigel Young

Photo: Nigel Young

The winery has a round shape, and its spatial volume consists of a combination of two ramps — external, emphasizing the connection with the vineyards around, and internal, allowing the visitor to go through various stages of the wine production process. Both ramps lead to the gallery on the upper level, which forms the heart of the building. There is a tasting room and an elegant wine bar. All this is surrounded by panoramic views of the vineyards. 

Photo: Nigel Young

Photo: Nigel Young

Interior solutions echo the shape of the building. A curved wine bar overlooking the vineyards next to round tables forms a tasting area. The circular atrium allows people to look down on the premises for the production and storage of wine. And office spaces are delicately hidden by wooden screens. 

Photo: Nigel Young