Winemaking with character: how architecture reveals the soul of the bodega

When I still lived in London, the word “winery” made me think of rows of bottles in a cellar that smelled faintly of damp cardboard. That changed when, in my twenties, I first stepped into a bodega in Andalusia: a cool hall with vaulted ceilings, thick stone walls and that magical play of light and shadow. That’s when it hit me — a bodega isn’t a storage space; it’s a place with character. And like any good home, the architecture of a bodega says more than you might think.

From stone vaults to recycled concrete

The classic Andalusian bodega is a masterclass in natural climate control. Walls nearly a metre thick, small windows placed just right, whitewashed façades that reflect the sunlight — it’s all both functional and aesthetic. I once visited a bodega in Jerez that stayed cool inside even in mid-August, without air conditioning. Now that’s what I call design with common sense.

But modern wineries are learning that lesson too. In the Valencia region, more and more bodegas are emerging that use recycled concrete, solar panels and smart insulation to reduce their ecological footprint — without sacrificing style. One of my favourite examples is a winery just outside Utiel that looks like an art gallery but is built from straw bales and clay. No gimmick — just smart, local building.

Wineries as a region’s calling card

What fascinates me is that wine architecture often forms the bridge between tradition and the future. You can spot it from afar: a brick arch with weathered wood often signals “old-school craftsmanship.” A cube-shaped building with lots of glass and steel? Chances are you’ll find eco-wines or natural fermentation there. The building speaks — long before you take your first sip.

Even if you don’t make wine yourself but live on the Costas, there’s inspiration to be found here. A niche in your wall for wine bottles. An exterior wall that acts as a thermal buffer. Or simply a patio that’s as inviting as a tasting room. After all, living is also about tasting — space, light and atmosphere.

Sustainability without dogma

Some modern wineries are so hyper-minimalist that I immediately feel like having a glass of red wine with a crust of bread — just to make the contrast a bit more human. But honestly, the idea of a winery that’s both aesthetically and ecologically well thought out gives me hope. We don’t need to go back to mud and clay (though that’s secretly quite charming), but the idea that beauty can go hand in hand with sustainability — that’s something I’d love to see flow more often into the way we build, live and drink.

Bodega architecture as inspiration

In my own finca, I sometimes think back to that bodega in Jerez. I don’t have vaulted ceilings or dripping oak barrels, but I do have a wall made of old wine crates and a window that faces west — perfect for the light of the golden hour. Small details, big atmosphere.

Whether you’re building a new home or furnishing an existing one, try looking through the eyes of a winemaker. What do you want to preserve? What do you want to let mature? What needs room to breathe? Living and wine have more in common than you might think.

This story is part of the
The Sound Of The Costa Wine Month
. Throughout the month, Costa Lifestyle’s features focus on wine — in collaboration with Grupo BonAmb.