Modern interior featuring a black countertop, stone walls, and a large window with slatted blinds casting striped shadows.

Tritium Winery by Francesc Rifé Studio: A Measured Balance of Heritage and Modernity

Words by Eric David

Cenicero, Spain

Wineries tend to fall in two camps design-wise where: older properties in most cases celebrate their vernacular heritage while new or renovated facilities tend to showcase their contemporary sophistication. Tritium Winery in Cenicero, a charming town in Spain’s La Rioja wine region, upends these paradigms by boldly fusing tradition and modernity. Designed by Barcelona-based Francesc Rifé Studio, the project involved restoring a 15th-century building and introducing a new volume that complements the historic structure rather than overshadowing it. Starkly minimalist in aesthetic, the winery is nevertheless imbued with a timeless sensibility thanks to a sombre palette of charred pine, black steel, and stained oak that thoughtfully harmonizes with the original stone construction.

A panoramic view of a quaint village nestled in lush green hills, surrounded by vineyards and rolling landscapes under a soft pink sky.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

A narrow alleyway lined with contrasting buildings, one modern black facade and vintage structures, laundry hangs overhead against a gray sky.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

A black wooden wall with a narrow door labeled "TRITIUM," featuring vertical planks and horizontal slats, partially shaded by sunlight.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

Dark wooden wall with the word "TRITIUM" carved in, contrasted by diagonal light and shadow patterns across the foreground.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

Modern interior featuring a black countertop, stone walls, and a large window with slatted blinds casting striped shadows.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • Interior view featuring rustic stone walls, a dark shelf with clay objects, and the word "Tritium" elegantly engraved on the wall.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A dimly lit corridor with sleek black wooden slats on one wall, leading to a bright window with stone seating visible beyond.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A sleek black shelf extends from a textured stone wall, holding two clay pottery pieces, illuminated softly in a minimalist space.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

Accessed through a narrow alley, the building’s charred timber façade boldly stands out against the earthen-hued buildings that surround it. Designed as a nod to traditional wine barrels, the façade sets the tone for the interior’s dark, textural palette. Stepping inside, a compact reception area juxtaposes original masonry with sleek charred wood surfaces and custom black steel furnishings, establishing a tactile dialogue between old and new.

From here, a staircase leads down to the original 15th-century underground cellar. Stretching 36 metres in length, the vaulted space is divided into three zones for barrel storage, tastings, and a wine archive, subtly delineated by smoked grey glass doors framed in black metal. The design is intentionally restrained, with strategically placed lighting drawing attention to the architectural features while supporting the immersive quality of the space.

  • A dimly lit stone cellar with arched ceilings, showcasing a curved path and lit staircase leading upward, flanked by wine storage racks.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A dimly lit underground corridor with green lighting and stone arches, leading to illuminated stairs in the background.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

Dimly lit wine cellar featuring wooden barrels along stone walls, with soft lighting enhancing the arched ceiling and atmosphere.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

A dimly lit tunnel with rough, dark walls, leading to a brighter opening, suggesting depth and a sense of exploration.§§§

Photography by Javier Márquez.

Dimly lit wine cellar with stone arches, sleek black shelving, and illuminated bottles creating an elegant atmosphere.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

An abstract view of textured stone walls, with a dark overlay and ambient light revealing silhouettes of bottles in the background.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

A dimly lit wine cellar showcasing neatly arranged wine bottles on dark shelves, with modern lighting illuminating the space.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

Dimly lit corridor showcasing a blend of textured stone and sleek black wood paneling, evoking a modern yet rustic aesthetic.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

Back above ground, a transitional corridor offers a glimpse into the winery’s production area. Pressed grape tanks made of steel, concrete, and ceramics are partially obscured behind a screen of spaced wooden slats, offering a controlled view of the winemaking process; a thoughtful gesture that acknowledges the industrial reality behind the wine, without overwhelming the visitor.

The corridor opens dramatically into a double-height hall, the spatial and symbolic heart of the renovation. Serving as both a sales area and an orientation point, the space is flooded with natural light from skylights and clerestory windows, its verticality providing a striking contrast to the almost compressed atmosphere in the cellar below. Like the reception area, sections of the original stone walls are left exposed, emphasizing the tension and harmony between old and new materials.

Dimly lit wine cellar featuring several clay amphorae and wooden barrels, with a sleek light strip along the floor highlighting the space.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

A modern interior with dark wood walls, stone accents, and a large ceramic vase, illuminated by soft lighting.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

A wood-clad staircase leads up to the mezzanine level, where a multipurpose space accommodates tastings, private dinners, and events. While continuing the same pared-back material language, the room is enlivened by the pitched ceiling and discreet pops of colour with pine green chairs, stools, and desk lamps punctuating the otherwise muted scheme.

Visitors exit through the sales area on the ground floor, completing a loop that has been carefully designed for both flow and functionality. The renovation does more than improve circulation though; it redefines the experience of visiting a winery by creating distinct yet interconnected zones tailored to the different stages of engagement.

  • A modern, dark interior features a blend of textured wood and stone elements, with a staircase leading to a softly lit lower level.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A dark wooden panel with vertical grain texture stands against a minimalist backdrop, with a black railing leading up a staircase.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

A sleek, modern interior of a bar featuring dark wood decor, stylish seating, and ambient lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A dimly lit modern interior featuring dark wooden walls, a sleek bar with illuminated lamps, and minimalistic black stools.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A rustic wooden door opens to a dimly lit space, framed by dark stone walls and a sleek shelf displaying wine bottles.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A person in dark clothing walks past tall black partitions in a dimly lit interior space with wooden beams and a simple table.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A sleek, dark wooden wall features illuminated shelves displaying wine bottles, with a slim door on the right leading to another space.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

A dimly lit modern interior features a sleek bar with stylish lamps and two stools, as a person walks past a doorway.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A dark, stylish restaurant interior featuring a sleek table, green chair, and illuminated shelves lined with wine glasses.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A dimly lit dining area features a black wooden wall, a sleek table set with two wine glasses and plates, and minimalist green chairs.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

  • A dimly lit dining space featuring two empty tables set with glasses, showcasing shadow patterns from striped windows.

    Photography by Javier Márquez.

A dimly lit modern restaurant interior with stools at a bar, tables set with glasses, and a blurred figure walking by.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

In its redesign of Tritium Winery, Francesc Rifé Studio has achieved a careful balance: preserving the historical character of the site while introducing contemporary elements that are both restrained and purposeful. The result is a space that respects the past, accommodates the present, while remaining adaptable to the ever-evolving identity of the winery itself.

A blurred close-up of grapes in various shades of purple and pink, surrounded by green leaves, conveying a sense of movement.

Photography by Javier Márquez.

Interior of a dimly lit modern space featuring dark wooden walls, stone accents, a vintage door, and a spotlight illuminating the floor.

Photography by Javier Márquez.