Gaius & Plinius

Podere degli Archi di Sisto V is the name of an agricultural company located in the Marche region, in central Italy, specializing in the production of high-quality wine, pasta, and olive oil.

The company takes its name from the Pontifical Aqueduct of Loreto, an extraordinary late Renaissance hydraulic architectural masterpiece constructed in 1620 by the order of Pope Sixtus V in response to the rapid development of the town and the increasing flow of pilgrims. This ancient aqueduct is the only one remaining in the Marche region with its arches still intact, representing a special place that bears witness to the pilgrimage to the Holy House of Loreto and Italy’s historical and spiritual heritage.

The estate lands, which serve as the inspiration for the series of labels, are named after this monument. Designed to be displayed side by side, the illustrations reconstruct the ancient aqueduct and its arches, allowing one to glimpse the hills and typical cultivated fields of this central Italian region.

The series includes a white wine (Malvasia) and a red one (Montepulciano). Each label is distinguished by the color used in the illustration and the texture of the background, which recreates the patterns of countryside crops. The colorful shapes have been printed with UV painting with Braille effect to evoke grape clusters in the vineyard. A small rolled-up sheet of paper with an elastic band has been placed on the bottleneck: inside, we can read a dedication to Alberto (the founder of the agricultural company), who made the realization of this dream possible.

Curator’s Insight

The illustrations may appear simple at first glance but they hold subtle complexity. They capture the essence of cultivated fields with precision, showcasing rows of crops and the meticulous geometry of farming.