Antinori Art Project unveils Armin Linke's 'Sampling the Vineyard' in Chianti cellar

The Antinori family, winemakers since 1385, have transformed their 58,000 sqm cellar in Bargino, Chianti, into a contemporary art venue through the Antinori Art Project, launched in 2012. By 2026, the project has commissioned ten site-specific artworks. The latest, 'Sampling the Vineyard' by Armin Linke (born 1966, Milan), was presented in spring 2026. Linke spent over twelve months photographing the winemaking process, producing more than 3,000 images, from which a curated selection forms the project. The installation includes a monumental triptych displayed against a large window overlooking the Chianti Classico vineyards, mounted on easels that allow viewers to walk around them, blending photography with sculpture. The work addresses climate change, inspired by philosopher Bruno Latour, and highlights the interplay of geology, climate, and tradition in viticulture. Previous commissions include Rosa Barba's 'Sun Clock', Elisabetta Benassi's carpet, Sam Falls' canvas, Tomas Saraceno's biospheres, and Stefano Arienti's reinterpretation of a Giovanni Della Robbia lunette. The project is curated by Ilaria Bonacossa. Alessia Antinori, who initiated the project, emphasizes the family's 26-generation history of collecting and commissioning art, aiming to showcase their connection to territory and art alongside wine. The cellar, designed by Marco Casamonti Archea, also houses a restaurant and hosts tens of thousands of international visitors annually.