The world-renowned architect Frank Gehry from Canada sees space not as a function but as an emotional entity. Under the belief that "architecture is art," he has been engaged in work that breaks down the boundaries between sculpture and architecture. One of his representative works is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which is regarded as one of the finest buildings of the 20th century. Architecture critic Herbert Muschamp noted, "The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe. It is sensual, emotional, intuitive, and expressionistic." He breathes soul into the building, elevating it to the realm of art.
Frank Gehry expresses the sensitivity of light, air, culture, and climate through curves, irregular forms, and the reflective textures of metal. His philosophy of treating architecture like sculpture and viewing it as an art that interacts with users continues even in the middle of an old winery in Spain. The 'Marqués de Riscal' winery in the Rioja Alavesa region of Spain. Established in 1858, this historic winery features a unique hotel designed by Frank Gehry, completed in 2006.
"Architecture must speak of its time and place, but at the same time, it must aspire to eternity." Frank Gehry
Like his philosophy, the hotel that stands at the Marqués de Riscal winery captures the identity of the place while aiming for an eternal space. The 150-year history of winemaking is reborn into a sensory architecture at the hands of the master. The golden, silver, and purple titanium panels of the hotel's exterior and its flowing curves reveal his architectural characteristics while symbolizing wine bottles, labels, and packaging. The harmony of curves and materials, along with the flow of light, is interpreted not merely as a visual device but as a visualization of the wine's identity and aging time. Frank Gehry's architectural philosophy has made it possible for the brand's artistic expansion.
The unique hotel and winery at Marqués de Riscal are not spaces solely for aesthetic form. This winery was the first pioneer to introduce Bordeaux-style wine from French famed wine regions to Spain. The process involves removing grape stems during wine production and using Bordeaux-style oak barrels.
In 1895, it was the first non-French wine to receive the "highest honor at the Bordeaux Universal Exposition." As the reputation of the wine grew, counterfeit products flooded the market, leading to the introduction of a symbolic packaging method where bottles are wrapped in golden wire to prevent tampering. One cannot drink the wine unless the wire is removed, a symbol that remains associated with the brand today.
The Reserva-grade wine produced by Marqués de Riscal is a representative product that combines accessibility and quality. The limestone soil of the Rioja Alavesa region, mixed with rock and clay, gives the grapes robust tannins and vibrant acidity. The altitude of this region is over 400 meters, providing a significant temperature difference ideal for producing wine with both fruity aromas and structure.
Marqués de Riscal Reserva is made from "Old Vine" grapes planted before 1970, primarily using Tempranillo and blending in Graciano and Mazuelo within 10%. After aging for 22 months in American oak BARREL, it is further aged in the bottle for at least another year before release. While it legally qualifies as a Reserva grade, its actual aging period and the quality of its ingredients are said to reflect the care and completeness closer to Gran Reserva.
The wine exhibits a deep, rich cherry red color, harmonizing well-ripened black fruit and spicy aromas. Complex scents like licorice, cinnamon, and black pepper unfold in layers, with balsamic notes from aging leaving a subtle lingering finish. It possesses excellent structure, yet the texture is smooth, maintaining a balance and harmony in the mouth. The moment a sip of wine approaches like the depth of space, it transcends to become not merely a beverage but an aesthetic of light, curves, and time itself.
Marqués de Riscal Reserva has been consistently recognized overseas. The 2017 vintage received a score of 93 from wine critic James Suckling, while the 2018 vintage scored 92 points. The 2018 vintage also received 93 points from the prestigious Spanish wine guide "Guía Peñín." Additionally, it has won a total of four awards at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards and received the "grand award" in the red wine institutional sector category at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. In Korea, it is imported by HiteJinro.