The Salcuta Winery project redefines a conventional wine production site into a dynamic tourism destination, merging viticulture, hospitality, and cultural engagement. By thoughtfully integrating existing infrastructure with contemporary interventions, the design creates a cohesive journey where visitors explore winemaking traditions while immersed in the scenic beauty of Moldova’s countryside.
Project Name: Salcuta Winery A Transformative Journey from Production to Experience
Studio Name: LH47 ARCH
Location: Sălcuţa, Moldova
Year: 2024
Status: Design Proposal
Area: 9,000 sq. m
Team: Serghei Mirza, Maria Shova, Catalina Nistor, Daniela Arata, Denis Creanga
The transformation revitalizes outdated storage facilities, replacing industrial sandwich panels with steel-framed structures shaped to emulate vineyard-draped slopes. This approach not only modernizes the winery’s aesthetic but also softens its industrial presence, allowing the complex to blend organically with the region’s undulating terrain. Instead of stark factory roofs, the architecture is crowned with cascading grapevines. a living tribute to the land’s heritage.
At the heart of the project lies a glass-enclosed restaurant nestled within the wine storage area. Here, diners enjoy gourmet cuisine surrounded by barrels and bottles in the aging process, turning a meal into a multisensory experience.
Further enhancing the visitor journey, the complex introduces a Wine Museum and an interactive exhibition space. These zones celebrate Moldova’s winemaking legacy through curated displays, guided tours, and theatrical performances that bring the production process to life.
Historical preservation played a pivotal role in the design. The original central alley, planted generations ago by the owner’s family, was retained as a symbolic pathway leading visitors into the complex. Similarly, the ancestral home received a careful roof restoration, maintaining its character as a cherished landmark.
Fifteen subterranean guesthouses, inspired by hobbit dwellings, were carved into the site’s highest elevation, offering uninterrupted views of the vineyards. A dedicated spa complements the retreat with vinotherapy — featuring grape-must massages, wine-infused baths, and treatments crafted from winemaking byproducts.
Converting an operational winery into a tourism hub demanded inventive solutions to technical and logistical challenges. The design team meticulously balanced the functional needs of production with the comfort and curiosity of visitors. A key complexity was reinforcing the steel structures to support the new green roofs—bearing the load of soil, irrigation, and flourishing vines. Simultaneously, integrating the restaurant within the storage zone required precise climate control to protect aging wines while accommodating guests.
Visitor flow was another critical consideration. A carefully planned network of pathways ensures seamless navigation from arrival through production areas, leisure spaces, and scenic overlooks — all without interrupting daily operations.
