FRATELLI WINES

SOLAPUR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Architects: Sunil Patil and associates

Clients: Fratelli wines Pvt. Ltd.
Location: Solapur, Maharashtra
Use: Winery
Site Area: 44 acres

Set against the serene backdrop of Akluj,

Solapur in the middle of a 44 acre vineyard
stands the industrial building of Fratelli wines.
This architectural wonder traces the path of wine making from grape harvest to tasting – from an
architect as well as a wine maker’s perspective. The architecture for the winery complements rather
than distracts from the natural splendor the place has to offer.
Industrial buildings have always been perceived as a menace to sustainability and hence this project

stood as a great challenge for the architect keeping in mind the climate as the basic parameter for the
design. The spaces have been intricately designed in a manner such that it creates a visual interaction
between the client and the wine making process.
In addition to this the overall plan for the winery was developed depending upon the five stages that
go in to the wine making process; harvesting, crushing, fermentation, clarification, and aging and
bottling.

The huge existing 40 acres of vineyard in the provided site took care of the first step – the harvesting,
while the brief for the remaining steps included a winery plant with processing units, bottling plant
and a tank hall which would be required to give a huge output of 9 lakhs liters of wine annually.
Crushing, fermentation and filtration units have been created in the plant. Adjacent to it, is the
administration block. A buffer space has been created between these two buildings. The finished
product is later provisioned to be racked into a different vessel, where it is ready for bottling or further
aging.
These wine containers and chilling jackets being used for the same have been imported from Italy.
The cellar designed underground the plant to serve this purpose is to be manually opened as and when
required. The journey begins from the main entrance gate, from where this elegant and graceful piece
of design is seen leading towards the visitor’s parking area.

From here, the winery has been divided into three main zones: The manufacturing unit being the

principal as well as the largest zone, The administration block and lastly the guest house
accommodations for overnight visitors who wish to soak in the breathtaking views while relishing a
glass of wine. The huge foyer designed leads to the administration block which is situated in close
proximity to the manufacturing unit. The ground floor of the administration block comprises of a wine
testing zone and the accounts department.
A gorgeously designed spiral staircase takes you all the way up to the first floor thus providing a firm
break in the geometric pattern of the design. A guest lounge has been designed on the upper floor of
the admin block. The lounge has been oriented in a way such that the visitor not only gets to
experience the sensual beauty of the vineyard as he sips through his wine, enjoying the sunset, but
also gets to see the wine making process through the clear glass façade of the manufacturing plant.

In this way the wine making process is made to run through the spectator’s mind. Keeping in mind the
climatic parameters of the site, the glazing for the processing plant has been provided solely on its
northern façade, keeping it blocked from all the other sides. This design strategy not only makes the
structure climatically responsive but also helps maintain a minimum temperature within the building,
which is one of the main criteria’s in the wine making process.

Climate responsive design:

The central courtyard formed between the main tank hall and the administrative block
remains shaded by the built masses surrounding it hence reducing the heat gain during the day. The
solar passive approach made towards the design helps in attaining thermal comfort. Natural light and
ventilation are the other two factors that have helped curtail the project’s budget, thereby making the
design cost-effective. The positioning of open spaces plays an integral part in the planning process as
they help in modifying the micro climate.

Construction techniques:
As far as the construction techniques are concerned, complicated structural elements have
been avoided. The roofing, accomplished with the help of steel portals with aluminum frames makes
the structure dawn with elegance and sophistication. The exterior front is finished in precise amounts
of glass and concrete. Simple floor finishes have been adopted such as – exposed tri-mix concrete for
the plant room, ceramic tiles for the bottling unit and lastly kota stone for the administration block.