The third part of the Somló winery complex is the fermentation facility where the long-term storage, maturing and bottling of champagne takes place. Its plans were made later than those of the other buildings, and its character is consequently somewhat different. It is another artificial hill of a building, but the narrow plot only allowed for the construction of a mere slice of the fully fledged neighbouring structure. Through the “bubble” windows of its longitudinal walls, natural light enters the innermost spaces and filters down into the cellars.
The champagne making facility is the twin brother of the winery and appears as if it were carved out of the latter’s hill. While different in character, their structures and interiors have much in common. The vegetation covered, reinforced concrete roof of the champagne cellar and its dark grey walls also evoke shapes created by geological forces; the sections and the facades resemble tectonic faults. Its volume creates the impression of freshly rising from the ground. Fermentation takes place underground, processing and administrative work on the ground floor. The large, wide office area overlooks the yard of the plant, while the spacious professional tasting room turns towards the north, offering a view of the hill.
The first phase of a winery complex by Budapest-based practice Ekler Architect has been recently completed in Hungary’s wine region of Somló. The twin buildings containing the traditional winery and the champagne winery are part of a larger development. A champagne maturing factory and a hotel will complete the building ensemble, these are currently under construction. The individual buildings were designed not at the same time therefore they bear different characteristics.
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