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Frank Gehry, Under the Influence

Where: Calle Torrea, 1, Elciego, Elciego, Spain

October 17, 2006 at 2:15 PM | 0 Comments

It may be one of the oldest tricks in the book: using wine to seduce someone your way. Apparently it worked with architect Frank Gehry.

At 82 years of age, Gehry is no new kid but he's still one of the world's best architects, holding Bilbao's Guggenheim to his name among many others to boast. Now he can add the Marques de Riscal to that list, an old winery in Spain's Rioja region. Not wanting to take on the project initially, the winery owners did what they do best, lured him in with their passionate red elixir:

At first, the Canadian-born architect did not want to tackle the small winery project because it would have required many flights from his base in Los Angeles. Then the winery owners took Gehry to the oldest cellar, called "the cathedral," where bottles dating from 1862 are stored. After a 1929 vintage -- Gehry's birth year -- he warmed to the project.

"It was very good, and after a few glasses I accepted," the 82-year-old Gehry told Spain's El Mundo newspaper.

Thanks to the wine, a hotel was born. The winery's original architecture (essentially a 19th shanty) is now met with Gehry's "pink, gold and silver titanium ribbons" that shade a sandstone hotel building and pull and reflect the sun. Along with 43 hi-tech amenity-loaded suites overlooking the vineyards, more additions came with a spa, restaurant, exhibition room and tasting area.

One thing is sure: we know we'll be hitting up the tasting room first to find out what this old wine may inspire us to do.

Related Stories:
· Spain inaugurates new Gehry-designed hotel at celebrated old winery [Seattle Times]
· Marques de Riscal Reviews [TripAdvisor]