GOTA

“Naked wines, small plates, records” are the three pillars that sustain GOTA’s essence, and they are exactly what the customer should expect when coming in. The founder, Fede Graciano, has found a way to quench Madrid’s thirst with a unique and rare initiative: naked wines. As sensual as this sounds, it is true. These wines are free of any chemicals, both the grape itself and the process by which they are extracted. In this sense, this project that stands really close to Fede’s heart aims to share with its customers a selection of wines that are made with a personal and organic approach. 

Not only is the wine uncontaminated, it is also accompanied by a selection of small plates that vary monthly, providing an unrepeatable experience that adapts to the seasonal ingredients. Unique wines, unique food and unique records. That is because the GOTA experience is gracefully completed with the music of a wide variety of vinyl records, carefully chosen by the entire team. This helps to consolidate an eclectic collection that can go from hip-hop to soul, passing through funk. 

Certainly, GOTA seems to possess every single element in hand to ensure a distinctive adventure every time the customer enters the establishment. Actually, the space itself is pretty recent. Initially, GOTA started as a second establishment inside the ACID Bakehouse (another one of the founder’s projects together with ACID Café). It started as a sort of secret location in a speakeasy that opened five nights a week behind the ACID Bakehouse doors. 

Gradually, as the weeks passed, the number of people who found out about the underground bar increased, as did its clients. Due to this rapid success, Fede realized it was time for the initiative to take a step forward, and sought the opportunity to upgrade into what it has become today: probably the first natural wine bar in Madrid. The founder’s realization that it was time to turn this original concept into an actual bar became true when he found the perfect location for it. 

This ideal setting is a small but enchanting spot that fully captures what he had pictured for GOTA. Fede did not pick an easy space. Located in Prim Street, under number 5, the enclosure is characterized by a complex distribution that originally could have been an obstacle. However, this challenge was overcome with teamwork between the owner of GOTA and the Madrid based architecture studio, Plantea Estudio. The result of this collaboration, which has demonstrated to be meant for each other, is the current curated but austere establishment that is enclosed by thick and textured walls in a typical Madrilenian building. 

Luis and Lorenzo Gil grew up with an architect as a father, and his passion passed down to the two brothers, who constituted their own architecture studio in 2008. Plantea Estudio’s philosophy is based on an essential concept: balance. Under this main objective, the studio adapts to its clients’ personal individuality to find the converging point between innovation and antiqueness, bringing about a timeless design. 

This can definitely be seen when looking at the results for GOTA’s place. Resolving the difficult distribution by opening the space, GOTA was equipped with a more dynamic touch that created a completely open area. Aside from practicality, this openness shows that the GOTA team has nothing to hide. It also reflects how Plantea Estudio applied Fede’s personality to the place: his main trait is being curious. This motivation of his to always learn and improve is shown in this stony but welcoming bar that is like nothing else. It is proof that a gloomy, darker and refined architecture can transmit a balance between solidity and permanence, and activity and spontaneity, in the most Plantea way.

Fede’s curiosity translates to the constant search for new wines, new foods and new records, as well as curiosity in the sense of designing a space that successfully resolves a challenge and uses a rare aesthetic. The establishment represents Fede’s main life motto: to work hard but always while having fun. An example of this touch of fun can be seen in the counter that occupies the central area of the bar. This wooden counter serves both as a bar table where the guests can eat or drink, and as turntables where the selected vinyls are played, composing the atmosphere of the place.

The union between Plantea Estudio and GOTA came about after they worked together on another project. After seeing each other’s ways of working and of understanding design, it was clear that the combination had to continue. And it has. Since then, not only have they designed GOTA’s establishment but also carried out the entire refurbishment of the ACID Bakehouse, and the following new opening of ACID Shop in Barquillo Street. As stated by Fede, it’s a long-term relationship. 

We really hope it is, because the result never seems to disappoint. Plantea Estudio and Fede Graciano, together with the Copenhagen-based design brand FRAMA, have given birth to a relaxed but severe space with a stony and sober style, where the attention to detail expresses itself everywhere. Materials such as wood, brick, granite, plaster and aluminum shape this spot, and, along with the impact of the faint but intense lighting on these diverse materials, a wide variety of textures is enhanced, creating internal dynamism.

Every day, clients that usually range from 25 to 40 years old congregate at Prim Street, excited to hear about the new dishes, drinks and records in this lively and solemn space. The customers can choose to sit on the FRAMA birch stools, either next to the bar or the aluminum tables; on the natural benches created by the plaster walls that fold; or on the chairs that occupy the vaulted brick cave painted in dark red that is discovered when one wanders to the end of the establishment. 

GOTA, whose design was inspired by churches, wine cellars, caves and listening bars in Tokyo, is a place that invites the guests to simply relax and let themselves be guided by the different flavors and sounds. The client should come into the establishment leaving all judgements behind with a single thought: to enjoy. As Fede encourages, “just relax and trust us”.