Radovan Winery is located in a remarkable spot in inland Istria on a hill above Poreč. The project aim was to create a year-round attractive space that would serve as a venue for promoting wine culture and stand out among similar wineries on the Istrian peninsula-a hybrid hospitality venue atop a busy wine production facility.
The transformation began with relocating wine production underground, which allowed for a completely new approach to the exterior. The majority of the garden is positioned on the roof of the new winery building, forming an elevated landscape above the vineyards and olive groves. By elevating the garden above the production facility, the project maximizes land use, enhances the visitor experience, and sets a new standard for multifunctional winery landscapes.
This roof garden is exposed to the breeze and oriented toward three directions, offering attractive views of the sea framed by the modern glass pavilions of the winery. The interplay between landscape and architecture is achieved through the use of matching colors, materials, and carefully selected plantings that complement and highlight the building’s elements. The reflection of trees and ornamental grasses on the glass walls creates a dynamic scene where light and shadow shift throughout the day.
The garden is divided into zones, creating intimate areas for small groups and allowing flexible use for larger gatherings. The space is designed to accommodate both brief visits and longer, informal stays, making it a true park-like setting for relaxation and enjoyment. The main tool for organizing the space into distinct functional units was the use of atypically large, undulating corten steel planters. These planters, shaped in organic, free-flowing lines, are not only decorative but also structural, allowing for the planting of substantial vegetation on the roof without overburdening the structure. Their wavy forms follow the natural lines of the garden, introducing dynamism and visual interest, while the corten steel develops a unique patina over time, further enriching the garden’s appearance and sense of place in rural Istria.
The main walking and seating surfaces in the Radovan Winery garden are finished with a decorative stone carpet. This type of flooring is created by mixing natural colored pebbles with a high-quality polyurethane binder, resulting in a seamless, jointless surface that is both visually appealing and highly functional. The stone carpet’s natural color palette and texture harmonize with the Mediterranean planting scheme and the winery’s architectural materials, reinforcing the connection between built and natural elements.
Plant selection reflects the local spirit with a touch of elegance. The tree layer includes Magnolia grandiflora (evergreen magnolia), which provides vertical accents, shade, and a strong visual identity. Shrubby multi-stem trees such as Olea europaea (olive) and Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) are essential to the Mediterranean character of the garden, with the olive representing the cultivated landscape and the strawberry tree offering vibrant fruits when other plants are dormant. Low evergreen shrubs such as Westringia fruticosa and ornamental grasses (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’) are grouped within the corten planters, creating a natural, undulating rhythm, which Verbena bonariensis interrupts with a touch of purple.
Nearly 800 plants were planted, with ornamental grasses making up more than half. The selection of evergreen plants ensures the garden remains lush and green throughout the year, providing continuous interest and forming a year-round base that is seasonally complemented by perennials, ornamental grasses, and flowering shrubs. Multi-stemmed trees planted in the planters add volume and a sculptural, organic presence, reflecting current trends toward naturalistic planting styles. This living green structure acts as a natural screen, gently separating groups without creating a sense of enclosure, so guests can enjoy their own space while still feeling connected to the garden and the wider landscape. By carefully selecting plant species and varying their heights and densities, the design achieves a balance between intimacy and openness. Shrubs and grasses are placed to form soft barriers that shield tables from direct view, while still allowing filtered glimpses of the surroundings and the vineyards beyond. This approach not only enhances privacy but also brings a sense of tranquility and exclusivity to each tasting area.
The landscape design of Radovan Winery successfully unites contemporary architecture with a lush Mediterranean garden, creating a unique, year-round green oasis above the wine cellars. The combination of technical solutions, undulating corten steel planters, and carefully selected plant species ensures both functionality and a refined atmosphere for visitors.
