Given the colourful, whirly-swirly appearance of this hotel in Spain’s Rioja region, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve had a drop too much when you first set eyes on it.

This is the beautiful ‘City of Wine’ in Elciego, Spain, and its full—bodied, robust design is the work of famous architect Frank Gehry, once again showcasing his unique ability to create breathtaking buildings where metal flexes into unimaginable shapes.

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Metal flexes into unimaginable shapes

The building itself is actually designed in tribute to the world-renowned Rioja wine produced here. The metallic, flowing ribbons of titanium overflowing the building are in the most delicate shades of rose and red, reflecting the tones and colours of the wine.

Gehry’s ability to create breathtaking buildings

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Shimmering wine-lovers paradise

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The silver tones mirror the foil covering the cork, whilst the rich gold is the signature mesh that covers all Marques de Riscal bottles. Combined with glass panels and reflective stainless steel, the result is a shimmering wine-lovers paradise, appearing on the horizon like an oasis amongst lush green vineyards.

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Wine tourists who pour inside this £55m complex will find a place where luxury mingles tastefully with contemporary architecture. The five-star hotel features 43 spacious rooms and suites, an exclusive restaurant, wine shop, tasting rooms and a spa where wine is the medicinal tonic of choice – but not to drink. The wine therapy spa is where the anti-oxidant properties of grape and wine are used as the basis for luxury anti-ageing treatments.

Mesmerising building

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The Marques de Riscal winery commissioned Gehry to create this homage to wine to replace its original building, in the hope it would place them on the tourist trail after seeing the effect Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum had on the neighbouring Bilbao region.

Whirly-swirly appearance of this hotel

Now of course, it’s become as famous for its mesmerising building as it has for the wines produced inside. You can sample a drop of Gehry for yourself from around £230 a night, giving you a unique taster of life within an architectural work of art.