In Bolgheri, along the renowned Strada del Vino, a project takes shape that blends sustainable agriculture, vegetarian cuisine, and contemporary design. Podere Arduino, led by Fabrizio Bartoli and Martina Morelli, has become an open-air laboratory where nature, architecture, and gastronomy converge in an innovative model of hospitality.
After an initial phase marked by a DIY setup, the couple entrusted the Florentine practice q-bic with reimagining the Podere’s spaces through an architectural language designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape. The intervention focused on the two culinary identities of the estate: Bolgheri Green, an informal bistro and tapas bar, and the new Osteria Ancestrale, a gourmet vegetarian restaurant.
Wood serves as the guiding material, creating a visual continuity between the structures while ensuring a sustainable footprint and allowing the owners to take an active role in the construction process. Slatted walls, placed at regular intervals, frame views of the vineyards and olive groves, while shelving filled with in-house ferments and preserves narrates the farm’s zero-kilometer production.
At the heart of the project lies a central space conceived as a convivial square. Here, a corten steel basin from which a flame rises symbolizes the charcoal grill—an essential element of the culinary philosophy—and becomes a metaphor for the harmony of natural elements. The open kitchen completes the layout, serving as both visual and operational core.
The furnishings, designed by q-bic and largely handcrafted by the owners, combine wood, marble, metal, and fiber cement, underscoring the bespoke identity of the project. The result is an essential, natural architecture that transforms Podere Arduino into a place that does not simply host, but becomes an experience of connection with the land.
For more information, visit www.q-bic.it
