Gurdau Winery by Aleš Fiala: A Sculptural Winery Embedded in the Landscape of Kurdějov

Amid the rolling hills of Kurdějov, a small village in South Moravia, Czechia, the Gurdau Winery, designed by architect Aleš Fiala, seamlessly fuses architecture with the natural terrain. This 1260 m² building is not just a winery—it is a landscape gesture, a quiet wave rising from the earth, embodying both contemporary minimalism and deep-rooted ecological sensitivity.

Founded in 2012 on a greenfield site, Gurdau Winery envisioned not just a place for wine production, but an immersive architectural experience for visitors. By 2016, plans were underway to create a winery at the center of its vineyards—logistically optimal, yet architecturally demanding due to its prominent placement in open countryside.

Architecture as a Landscape Form

The architectural concept embraces topographical mimicry, with the structure emerging as a gentle curved form, echoing the flow of the land. This approach reduces visual intrusion and ensures the building becomes a natural extension of its rural surroundings. Its green roof, planted with native vegetation and punctuated with openings, blurs the boundary between architecture and environment, allowing shrubs and trees to grow through and around the form.

The building is set not just on the landscape but within it—carefully embedded into the slope, and surrounded by over 150 newly planted shrubs and mature trees, enriching both the ecological value and the visitor experience. As seasons pass, the winery will age and evolve with its landscape, becoming increasingly camouflaged and integrated.

Functional Elegance: Production Meets Hospitality

The two-level concrete structure is divided programmatically:

• The subterranean level houses wine production facilities, including fermentation areas, barrel storage, and wine archiving zones—all benefiting from the thermal insulation and stability of being underground.
• The upper level serves as a hospitality center, featuring a tasting room, sales area, event space, and two private guest apartments for overnight stays.

This layout allows operational efficiency while maintaining discreet zoning between the public and production-oriented spaces.

Material Palette and Spatial Atmosphere

The design employs a raw yet refined material palette:

• Exposed concrete, for its thermal mass and minimalist expression
• Glass, offering panoramic vineyard views and daylight
• Metal, enhancing structural lightness and industrial character
• Locally sourced oak and acacia wood, softening the interiors with warmth and tactility

Every detail is crafted with precision and elegance, balancing functionality with experiential quality.

Enhancing Wine Culture Through Design

Aleš Fiala’s vision is not just about architecture—it’s about storytelling and ambiance. The winery is meant to welcome guests into a world where wine, landscape, and architecture intersect. Terraces extend outward from the main volume, offering breathtaking views over Moravian vineyards, encouraging guests to slow down and reflect. This user-centric design philosophy strengthens the connection between the winery and its visitors, nurturing the emerging wine tourism culture in the Czech Republic.

More than just a production facility, Gurdau Winery is a destination—a place where design heightens the appreciation of landscape, wine, and local heritage.

All the photographs are works of BoysPlayNice