Maria Lai x Jerzu Antichi Poderi: A Wine Collection Woven with Art, Territory, and Memory
In the heart of Sardinia, where rugged landscapes meet ancient traditions, the collaboration between Jerzu Antichi Poderi and Giulio Patrizi Studio gave birth to a unique wine collection inspired by the visionary work of Sardinian artist Maria Lai. This project is more than packaging—it’s a tribute, a narrative, and a bridge between art, identity, and the land that produces these exceptional wines.
A Design Rooted in Territory and Culture
The design process for the Maria Lai wine line began with an in-depth exploration of Jerzu’s territory and the poetic vision of Maria Lai—whose works often intertwined local myths, female memory, threads, and handcraft. To ensure authenticity and depth, the project was developed in collaboration with the Maria Lai Archive, whose valuable support helped connect visual choices to the artist’s legacy with both sensitivity and coherence.
The visual identity of the bottles balances contemporary minimalism with profound symbolism. Each label is a visual “thread”, referencing Lai’s iconic use of stitching and weaving, reinterpreted in clean, graphic compositions. Color palettes are muted yet warm, evoking textiles, rock, and earth—materials deeply tied to both Jerzu and Lai’s aesthetic world.
A Collection with Distinct Voices
The line includes several wines, each one aligned with a specific theme drawn from Lai’s artistic vocabulary:
Cinquesse
“Cinquesse” is the first wine dedicated to the artist Maria Lai and her work which is generated from the most ancient traditions of her remote native region. CINQUESSE is the result of the collaboration between the JERZU Antichi Poderi cooperative winery, the Maria Lai Historical Archive and the Giulio Patrizi Agency studio which signs the packaging and communication project for this product. The artist reworks CINQUESSE several times during his career, the work on the label represents the illustrated nursery rhyme dedicated to cultivation. The idea of producing a fine wine dedicated to the artist was born from the winery’s vocation to promote the territorial and cultural excellences of Sardinia, an ancestral land that is universally known for its beauties and its millenary culture.
Filare
“Filare” is a name that embodies dual significance, weaving together two rich traditions. On one hand, it evokes the time-honored craft of sewing — a deeply ingrained practice in Sardinian culture, passed down through generations. On the other, it refers to the row of vines that in the community of Jerzu becomes the choral breath of families with great passion, capable over the centuries of tearing the vines from the lands where nature becomes more difficult and impervious. The Filare label draws inspiration from the iconic work of Maria Lai, a renowned 20th-century Sardinian artist celebrated worldwide. Lai’s intricate weavings, which once transcended mere art to become profound cultural symbols, are reimagined as a tactile element on the label. This artistic touch transforms it into a small, sculptural tribute, encapsulating the essence of the precious white wine within. Crafted from ancient vines and refined through expert cellar techniques, this wine is not only a drink but a testament to the craftsmanship, history, and spirit of Sardinia.
From Bottle to Storytelling Object
Each wine is conceived not merely as a product, but as a storytelling object. The packaging invites the drinker to engage with Sardinian culture, landscape, and the legacy of a powerful artistic voice. The bottle becomes an artifact, a canvas, a way of preserving memory.
This fusion of wine and art, of oenological excellence and cultural narrative, sets the Maria Lai line apart—not only within Jerzu Antichi Poderi’s offering but in the broader context of Italian wine branding. It’s a statement on how design can elevate tradition, how minimalism can embody depth, and how packaging can be both beautiful and meaningful.
