Few combinations are as natural as earth and wine. In Oberkirch, in south-western Germany, the winegrowers’ cooperative has taken that union to a new dimension. Its new winery, designed by Architekturbüro Müller + Huber, incorporates a spectacular underground Vinotorium: a true “wine cathedral” in which the visitor descends to the heart of the earth to enjoy the aromas, the light and the calm.
The clay walls seem to have been carved directly out of the ground, reminding us that every good wine is born from the soil. The architecture merges with the landscape, and the interior conveys the sensation of being inside the terroir itself.
More than eight metres below ground level, the Vinotorium presents itself as a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic vaulted cellar. The warm light slides over the rough surfaces of the clay-and-straw mortar, while the rows of barrels, arranged on two levels, set the rhythm of the space.
The vaulted ceiling, formed by individually computer-modelled oak slats, reproduces the gesture of the wood that keeps the wine. Each slat, unique, symbolizes the diversity and complexity of the wines that mature there. The combination of the earthy plaster, the linear furniture and the white Corian surfaces creates an almost sacred atmosphere: a literal immersion in the world of wine.
The use of natural materials responds not only to an aesthetic criterion. In an underground space, the hygrothermal regulation of clay is essential. The clay-and-straw mortar used on the walls stabilizes humidity and guarantees optimal air quality even with a large flow of visitors.
The earth envelope, together with the clay construction, generates a stable indoor climate all year round, without the need for air conditioning or excessive energy consumption. The beauty of its texture — thick, irregular, tactile — reinforces the sense of refuge and authenticity that characterizes wine architecture.
The walls were clad with ClayTec clay-and-straw mortar, a versatile classic that allows up to 35 mm of thickness to be applied in a single coat. Its excellent workability makes it an ideal material for projects seeking an artisan finish with impeccable technical performance.
The master plasterer Thomas Glück (Glück GbR Lehmbau) calls this finishing style Earth Walls: surfaces that seem to rise directly from the ground, expressive, natural and with a unique material imprint.
Project: Winery and Vinotorium of the Oberkirch Winegrowers’ cooperative
Architecture: Architekturbüro Müller + Huber
Construction: Glück GbR Lehmbau
Location: Renchener Straße 42, 77704 Oberkirch, Germany
Use: Underground winery and tasting space
ClayTec materials used: Clay-and-straw mortar, hemp interior insulation
Type of construction: Modern solid
The Oberkirch Vinotorium is not only a space for tasting: it is an architectural experience that returns the visitor to the origin of wine, to direct contact with the earth. ClayTec provides the material that makes possible this fusion of technique, tradition and landscape.
At RedVerde we share that outlook: an architecture that breathes with nature, that values authentic materials and artisan know-how. We believe in projects where matter comes alive and turns each space into a genuine and human experience.
