Case History
Underground Innovation and Circular Energy Recovery
Located in the hills of Montebello Vicentino, the new headquarters of Corte Capitelli represents an integrated design model that blends hypogeal or underground architecture which respects the local topography with a cutting-edge energy management system. The owner’s courageous choice to create a totally gas-free structure reflects the desire to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of this location, eliminating the use of fossil fuels and biomass. From a production perspective, this approach ensures that the winemaker can benefit from superior oenological quality, enabling extremely precise thermal control of each single stage of winemaking.
The heart of sustainability lies in the recovery of the heat produced by the condensation process: the thermal energy released during the cooling of the fermenting musts is not dispersed, but rather is immediately reused to heat the offices and produce the domestic hot water necessary for the rigorous washing and sanitisation of the oenological machines, optimising the operating costs of the winery.
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The system
Plant Versatility and Advanced Climate Control
The plant is based on a sophisticated Aermec multi-purpose solution designed to manage opposite and independent thermal loads within a single system. During the grape harvest, the machine simultaneously meets the demand for chilled water for the blast chilling the grapes and the heat required to start fermentation in other tanks, while ensuring a comfortable temperature in the offices and in the wine shop. VES fan coils with variable speed EC motors and REPURO mechanical ventilation systems have been installed for air distribution, ensuring continuous, high-efficiency air exchange through high-induction micro-perforated ducts. Special attention was paid to the area where the wine casks are kept, where a dedicated air handling unit (AHU) strictly monitors thermo-hygrometric parameters, using high-pressure nebulisers to maintain the ideal humidity.
This technological architecture integrates perfectly with the design of the structure, characterised by materials such as corten steel and basalt stone, offering high acoustic comfort and total harmony between industrial efficiency and the natural landscape.