Ornellaia opens restaurant in Zurich

Super Tuscan Ornellaia has launched its first restaurant concept in Zurich in collaboration with Swiss restaurant group and Italian wine importer Bindella.

Located just off Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, the interiors were looked after by Swiss architect Tilla Theus and seek to evoke “the unmistakable atmosphere of Tuscany” via Tuscan fabrics and travertine stone. The space features works by Swiss painter Cuno Amiet and sculptor Hans Josephson.

“We opened Ristorante Ornellaia because we wanted people to enter our world and experience the passion and excellence that are innate in Bolgheri,” said Giovanni Geddes da Filicaja, Ornellaia’s chief executive.

At the helm of Ristorante Ornellaia is Italian head chef Giuseppe D’Errico, who will shine a light on Tuscan classics made with fresh seasonal ingredients.

Among the dishes on the debut menu are asparagus tonnato; veal tartare; pea and pecorino ravioli; and garlic lamb mint and rosemary.

“I approach food just as I do wine, with enormous respect and a hunger to learn. Ornellaia enjoys an unmistakable bond with its growing area: a magnificent, refined corner of Tuscany. All my dishes have this as their starting point,” he said.

Wine will take centre stage at the restaurant where a selection of back vintages of Ornellaia will be on pour, including 1994, 1996 and 1999, in addition to wines from Bindella’s Vallocaia estate.

The wine list also includes a number of back vintages of Masseto, such as 2004, 2005 and 2010.

“We wanted to create a superb venue for Ornellaia’s wine since we have been their ambassador in Switzerland from the first vintage in 1985.

“The venue reflects the audacious spirit of Ornellaia and the wine list boasts large-format bottles that you can find only at international auctions,” said Bindella’s managing director, Rudi Bindella.