A bottle approximately three metres tall, depicting a forest of vines inspired by the Sangiovese grape variety, intended to reconnect humans with nature. This is the work of Marcela Castaneda, an artist trained between Colombia and Italy, who now lives and works in Florence. The installation stands among the vineyards of Castello di Meleto, in Gaiole in Chianti. It is part of a wine tourism and artistic initiative that will be on display until the end of October on the lawn in front of Osteria Meleto, within the estate. Contemporary art and the Tuscan landscape meet in “remember… we are”, a social and political invitation to recall our deep roots in an age of environmental crises and identity disorientation.
The vine, therefore, not only as a plant, but also as a metaphor for rebirth, connection, and belonging. The piece also aims to celebrate the historic Tuscan native grape variety, a symbol of Chianti Classico, conviviality, and the region’s cultural identity. “When the frenzy of daily life forces us into inhuman speeds,” says director Francesco Montalbano, “art offers us a moment of reflection, a time to explore what is happening.”