Tenute Lunelli’s tribute to Arnaldo Pomodoro
Twenty years after the concept’s creation, the Carapace – the sculpture-winery in Umbria designed by Pomodoro for the Lunelli family – stands out as a unique fusion of architecture, sculpture and wine, a landmark for enological and cultural tourism.
It was in 2005 that Arnaldo Pomodoro first envisioned the Carapace, marking the world’s debut of a sculpture-winery, crafted for Tenute Lunelli in the heart of Umbria. This vision has since matured into a unique celebration of art and passion, serving as a landmark for those in search of authentic experiences where art, nature, and Italian craftsmanship blend harmoniously.
The journey began in the early 2000s, when the Lunelli family fell in love with Sagrantino and the region it thrives in. They purchased historic vineyards in Montefalco and Bevagna in 2001, and by 2003, they produced their first vintage of Montefalco Sagrantino.
The Lunelli family then entrusted the winery’s design to Arnaldo Pomodoro, a long-time friend with whom they had previously collaborated. Upon visiting the estate, Pomodoro envisioned a structure that would harmonize with nature, celebrating the region’s ancient essence. “I imagined the Carapace as an element emerging from the earth, like a great dome evoking the strength and power of nature. A place where wine is born inside a sculpture,” he explained.
The dream became reality in 2012, with the grand opening of the Carapace. Its turtle shell shape symbolizes longevity, linking the cellar to Montefalco Sagrantino, the region’s iconic wine, known for its remarkable aging potential. The copper dome’s surface is covered with cracks that mimic the Umbrian soil’s furrows, reflecting the passage of time and its influence on wine. A bold red sculptural dart embedded in the ground enhances its visual impact.
The result is a truly unique creation – the first sculpture in the world where it is possible to live and work.
Soon after its inauguration, the Carapace received the UNESCO “La Fabbrica nel Paesaggio” award and featured in the Venice Biennale’s “Made in Italy Architectures” section. Since then, it has become a must-see destination for art and wine enthusiasts. Among its most recent international accolades is being ranked among the World’s Best Vineyards 2024, recognized as “Highest New Entry” at 25th place.
The relationship between the Lunelli family and Arnaldo Pomodoro dates back to 1984, when Gino Lunelli first met the artist. An encounter that marked the beginning of a cultural and personal friendship, leading to the creation of several significant works, like the monumental Centenarium spiral at the Ferrari Winery entrance in 2002 and the Carapace. Their bond continues to this day, embodied in a broader commitment to culture and corporate social responsibility, through Tenute Lunelli’s support of the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation, where Matteo Lunelli is a Board Member.
The Carapace’s artistic and cultural journey is centered around the wines produced there. These wines capture the essence of Umbria while adhering to Tenute Lunelli’s philosophy of elegance. The Montefalco Rosso Ziggurat, the Riserva Lampante and Montefalco Sagrantino Carapace and the Carapace Lunga Attesa – since the 2015 vintage – have consistently received top honors from Italian wine guides and international acclaim.
The 20th anniversary of the Carapace is an opportunity to reaffirm Tenute Lunelli’s commitment to a winemaking and cultural endeavor rooted in excellence and sustainability, enhancing the region in the pursuit of beauty and taste.
After three generations of winemaking, the Lunelly family decided to further its passion for producing outstanding wines building on the success obtained by its Ferrari Trentodoc. The range was enlarged to exceptional labels crafted by three wineries in three different regions of Italy: Tenuta Margon in Trentino, Tenuta Podernovo in Tuscany and Tenuta Castelbuono in Umbria. The project began in the 1980s, with the creation of still wines in Trentino that capitalized the experience gained through years of growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in high hillside vineyards. From the start of the new millennium, the family began paying particular attention to regions with a consolidated reputation for the production of fine red wines. Seduced by the charm of the Tuscan coast hills, and in particular by the vine-clad hill on which the historic Casale Podernovo lies. They stareted their adventure in Tuscany by acquiring forty hectares in the village of Terricciola. In 2001 it was the ancient and mystical region of Umbria and the powerful and ageworthy Sagrantino wine that captured their attention. The Lunelli family purchased land in Bevagna and Montefalco, partly planted and later built the cellar-sculpture of Carapace. After several decades of commitment, this large-scale project encapsulating agriculture and life, high-quality, and beauty became the Tenute Lunelli brand. A seal chosen to express the typical characteristics of areas that are especially suited for making fine wines: products that interpret their particular terroirs in a profound way and whose distinguishing trait is their elegance and longevity.