Vineyards Magazine

The Salmanazar and a selection of large formats with artistic labels will be auctioned online by Bonhams from 11 to 23 June. The profits will be given to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

The 18th edition of the Vendemmia d’Artista project welcomes another leading figure from the international art world to the Ornellaia gallery. Renowned contemporary artist Marina Abramović has been entrusted with interpreting Ornellaia 2023 “La Vitalità” and artistically expressing the character of the vintage.

To do so, starting with a vintage that fully expresses the generative power of the terroir at Ornellaia, Marina Abramović explores the theme of the self, understood as an act of awareness and determination in capturing one’s own image. While the body has always been central to the artist’s research, for the winery she chose to portray herself in a process of transformation, continually redefining the boundary between art and life.

At the heart of the project is a self-portrait in the guise of Medusa, a mythological figure that the artist reinterprets through a contemporary key. In her version, the snakes, formed by bunches of grapes, transform threat into abundance and fear into vital energy. The work created for Vendemmia d’Artista reflects on the ability to regenerate through art, rediscovering strength and vitality.

“When I began this project, I started with drawing the raw materials: grapes. I surrounded my face with bunches, and suddenly the vivid green of the leaves and the deep black of the berries began to vibrate. A vital force, petals of energy blooming from the mind,” explains Marina Abramović.

For the label used on the 750ml bottle, Marina-Medusa is portrayed as a simple drawing, while her face, almost entirely surrounded by bunches of grapes, is depicted on the labels of the 100 three-litre bottles.

From drawing to photography. For the 10 Imperials (6 litres), Abramović finally presents herself in the guise of Medusa as braided hair and copious bunches of grapes around her neck overflow with life and movement. Through a progression of images, her face is gradually covered by the grapes until the final frame in which only an eye remains visible. The gaze captivates the viewer, turning the self-portrait into an intense visual experience, in which every detail pulsates with energy and fully celebrates the theme of the vintage: Vitality.

The iconic Salmanazar (9 litres) is conceived as a combination of the senses and the elements. The bottle is topped with a conical red candle (inspired by the artwork Energy Hat), which can be lit. The label provides instructions: SLOWLY DRINK WINE WITH EYES CLOSED AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. Alongside, there’s a 45 RPM vinyl of Nino Rota, who composed the soundtrack for the movie La Dolce Vita, transforming the space through music. Everything weaves together in a single performative gesture, in which art and life converge.

“In the vineyard, every stage of the vegetative cycle describes a process of transformation. Patience is essential and, at times, is timeliness. Marina Abramović has captured this energy. She has looked at us and involved us all, turning our work into art,” says Lamberto Frescobaldi, President. “We are very proud of this collaboration and to share it with all Ornellaia wine lovers through the artist-designed labels of the various formats of the 2023 vintage.”

Only 14 lots, including the Imperials and Salmanazar, designed by Marina Abramovic, will be offered through Bonhams, one of the oldest and most prestigious private auction houses in the world. The online auction will be held at www.bonhams.com/ornellaia2023 from 11 to 23 June 2026.

In continuation with the collaboration established eight years ago, Ornellaia will donate all proceeds to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, which will support Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to Now on view at the museum in New York from June 2026 to January  2027. Ornellaia’s contribution will be used to support the conservation and restoration of the works in the exhibition in order to continue to “make art accessible to everyone for as long as possible”, concludes Lamberto Frescobaldi.

The Ornellaia 2023 vintage

Marco Balsimelli, Technical Director at Ornellaia, explains the vintage: “The mild winter encouraged early vegetative growth, which was constantly monitored by our technical team. Then, with spring came abundant rainfall which, on one hand, replenished water reserves ahead of the summer and, on the other hand, required extra work in the vineyard to control growth and prevent potential diseases.” The ensuing summer in Bolgheri was hot, but without extreme peaks in temperature. Balsimelli continues: “There was no water stress in the vineyards, which reached maturity gradually and with optimal concentration. Late August rainfall and cool September nights favoured the development of aromatic complexity and preserved good acidity in the grapes, ensuring a perfect balance between expressiveness and elegance, which is the signature of Ornellaia.”

Vendemmia d’Artista

Vendemmia d’Artista began with the 2006 vintage. Each year, a contemporary artist is invited to interpret the character of the vintage through the creation of artworks that personalise the bottles. The project includes large formats (Double Magnums, Imperials and Salmanazars) styled by the artist that are auctioned. The proceeds support foundations and museums around the world. Now in its 18th edition, Vendemmia d’Artista is recognised for its commitment to preserving art as a universal heritage and to expanding access to art for audiences worldwide.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was founded in 1937 and is committed to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, educational programs, research initiatives and publications. Its international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim in New York, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Guggenheim Bilbao and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Considered a “temple of the spirit” where art and radical architecture meet, the Guggenheim in New York, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is one of eight buildings in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim in New York and the foundation’s activities worldwide, visit guggenheim.org.

About The Bonhams Network

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.   

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement. www.bonhams.com/ornellaia2023