Amid the Sienese hills, along the ancient walls of San Gimignano – one of Italy’s most enchanting medieval towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – stands Lunaria Tuscany, a winery and exclusive event venue. This location has been brought back to a new life through a meticulous renovation project. Here, the centuries-old history of the place intertwines with wine culture, local tradition, and contemporary design.
The name Lunaria Tuscany evokes the flower Lunaria annua, which grows in the estate’s garden. This flower, with its iridescent petals, symbolizes elegance, light, and purity, and is traditionally a sign of good fortune. This symbolic connection continues through the lighting by Catellani & Smith, whose creations enhance the interiors designed by Willy Calabrese (FGC Loft), establishing a harmonious dialogue between nature and design.
Catellani & Smith illuminates and embellishes three of the location’s four main areas: the atrium, the two barrel galleries, and the “cave”. These four distinct spaces cover nearly 900 square meters. The leitmotif throughout the project is the use of gold leaf finishes that create a warm, refined atmosphere.
In the atrium, the golden glow beautifully complements the terracotta floor, red brick vaulted ceiling, and stone walls. This area features different configurations of Macchina della Luce. Additionally, two PostKrisi 70 pieces have been installed on the mezzanine walls, casting an evocative interplay of light and shadow. The space is further enriched by the Luna table candleholder and the Giulietta BE portable rechargeable lamp in brass finish. The discreet EC 301 adds light to an adjacent corner, projecting ever-changing patterns of light, modulated by its adjustable joint.
In the calm of the barrel galleries, permeated with the subtle scent of wine, the eye is drawn to the sculptural, hand-worked gold-leaf disc of Bellatrix. Presented in the version with radial lines, Bellatrix emits a warm, intimate light that enhances the amber hues of the wood and the curves of the vaulted ceiling. Several of the arches are further accentuated and illuminated by a custom version of EC 301, installed at their bases.
Finally, in the winery’s small “cave”, carved directly into the tuff rock, natural material meets the light of Stchu-Moon 01. Its gold-leaf interior produces shimmering golden reflections in a quiet atmosphere that invites appreciation of the art of winemaking.
