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Nowadays, we are accustomed to appreciating only the final result of things, often overlooking the fact that everything starts from thought and tradition. Like a building or a bottle of wine, something truly exceptional is created only when there is a solid foundation.
The Caves of the Castle of Uviglie, located in the Monferrato Casalese region of Northwestern Italy, have been used for centuries to extract the region’s characteristic “pietra da cantone” (a type of stone). Today, thanks to a major restoration project, these caves have been revitalized to serve as a space for aging sparkling wine using the traditional method. They are also a popular tourist attraction. These extraordinary underground spaces are part of the “Paesaggi Vitivinicoli del Piemonte: Langhe-Roero e Monferrato,” which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
Designing a tour itinerary that includes an aging space for sparkling wine involved several important considerations. The project was designed with the understanding that most visits would take place during daylight hours, beginning in natural outdoor light. The sensation of being momentarily dazzled when moving from a dark space to bright daylight or entering a dimly lit area highlights the importance of luminance contrasts. The eye’s ability to process these contrasts and adjust to new lighting levels is crucial for an enjoyable experience.
Therefore, it was essential to plan the internal lighting carefully, allowing visitors to comfortably adjust their vision when entering the caves and transitioning from daylight to near-darkness. The project incorporated varying brightness levels to help visitors adapt to the new lighting environment.
Scenic lighting, using uplight fixtures positioned on the ground, was installed to enhance the accessibility of the route. These lights highlight the pathway and emphasize the columns carved into the stone. This upward lighting not only contrasts with natural light but also creates a dramatic effect that maximizes architectural features while ensuring proper illumination for visitors’ eyes to adjust.
Midway through the tour, a video projection on a raw stone wall tells the historical story connecting the caves to wine production.
To further emphasize the spaces and hidden areas, accent lighting was added. Discreet projectors with warm light were placed to surprise visitors with the grandeur of the caves.
In the wine aging area, lighting serves several critical functions: it enables the necessary work processes while concluding the tour experience.
Sunlight plays a key role in wine transformation, from grape growth to aging, influencing its flavor and aroma. However, improper artificial light can cause “Goût de Lumière,” a defect caused by exposing bottles to certain wavelengths of light. Research shows that wavelengths below 523 nm, from ultraviolet to blue, can damage wine.
To protect the wine, the aging area is illuminated with amber LED fixtures, carefully selected to eliminate harmful blue and violet wavelengths. These fixtures comply with the standards of the Comité Champagne, ensuring the best preservation of the wine.
The entire lighting system is controlled by programmed scenarios designed to highlight the caves’ unique features, leaving visitors with a memorable impression.
