Calling all adventurous drinkers—you can now sip your favorite Italian wines from the comfort of a cave. Earlier this summer, wine lover Gian Paolo Buziol debuted his Enoteca dai Tosi project, a winery in the mountains in the city of Matera, a three-hour drive from Naples. According to Trendland, the concept stems from a contest Buziol ran in 2016, challenging five competing architecture firms to design a three-level winery in the famous sassi, or limestone grottoes, of the southern Italian city. In addition to the novelty of the winery’s location, the design had to highlight Matera's Paleolithic history with a modern twist. The result? A stunning cavernous space that looks as if it were discovered rather than crafted—with a bar to boot.
Upon entry, wine enthusiasts will follow a staircase down to the bar and tasting area, complete with amphitheater-style seating and glowing green lights. Notably absent are tables or chairs— there are only stools and the steps—which emphasize the city's renowned stoneware. Nothing has been removed from the original sasso housing the winery, though a tile floor has been added. Guests are encouraged to move around and meet each other, with the option to sample wine by the glass or the bottle as they converse. The wine cellar itself can be found deeper in the cave, visible through a glass partition.
Staff members are at the ready to guide visitors on a tour through the facilities, which house more than 250 varieties of Italian wine. But if you're feeling peckish along the way, fear not—foodies can also find edible sustenance within Enoteca's walls. In addition to wine tours, the winery serves cicchetti, Venetian-style small plates inspired by local traditions.
With delicious antipasto, a veritable cornucopia of wines to try, and a venue begging to be explored, Enoteca dai Tosi is the thirsty traveler's dream. However, if caves aren't your thing, you could always try this underwater wine tour instead.