The 18th edition of Vendemmia d’Artista closes with another success for Ornellaia. The charity auction organized by Bonhams raised 300,000 dollars, entirely destined for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to support the conservation and restoration programs of the exhibition Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to Now, scheduled in New York from June 2026 to January 2027.
The protagonist of this edition, titled Vitality, is Marina Abramović, invited to interpret the character of the 2023 vintage through an artistic intervention that blends energy, symbolism, and expressive power. Wine and art collectors from around the world competed for the unique lots, including the only Salmanazar of the collection.
A project that unites wine, art, and cultural responsibility
Vendemmia d’Artista was born in 2006 and has since represented Ornellaia’s ongoing commitment to supporting culture and making art accessible. Each year, a contemporary artist interprets the character of the vintage, personalizing bottles and large formats destined for the auction. The 2023 edition featured a collaboration with Marina Abramović, one of the most influential figures in contemporary art, who translated the vitality of the vintage into a powerful and symbolic visual language.
Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of the Group, highlights the value of the initiative with words that define its spirit: “We are extremely proud of the result of this auction, which will help preserve this important artistic heritage and ensure its accessibility for future generations.”
The bond between wine and art thus confirms itself as a natural bridge between different yet complementary worlds, united by the desire to support culture through a concrete gesture.
Vitality according to Marina Abramović and the 2023 vintage
To interpret Vitality, Marina Abramović chose an approach that reflects her artistic language: energy, presence, and transformation. Her intervention translates the dynamic strength of the vintage into images, offering an interpretation that combines creative gesture and symbolic depth.
Ornellaia closes the 2026 Vendemmia d’Artista auction with 300,000 dollars destined for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Lamberto Frescobaldi comments on the artist’s work: “Marina Abramović has been able to express the vitality and finesse of our wine in a fascinating and engaging way. On behalf of Ornellaia and all wine lovers, I wish to thank her for her wonderful inspiration and creation.”
On the winemaking front, Marco Balsimelli, Ornellaia’s Technical Director, describes a vintage marked by balance and complexity. A mild winter anticipated vine growth, while abundant spring rains required careful work in the vineyard. A warm but moderate summer, followed by late‑August rains and cool September nights, favored gradual and harmonious ripening. The result is a wine that combines expressiveness, elegance, and vibrant acidity—the distinctive signature of Ornellaia.
Vendemmia d’Artista is a project with a global outlook
The auction organized by Bonhams—a global network with international offices and over 1,000 sales per year—confirmed the growing interest in the large formats of Vendemmia d’Artista. The collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, active since 1937 in promoting modern and contemporary art, reinforces the international scope of the project. The New York museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the symbolic places of the global art world.
Vendemmia d’Artista thus continues its journey, uniting wine, creativity, and philanthropy in a project that, year after year, confirms its ability to generate cultural value and support leading artistic institutions.
