Everything you've wanted to know about the 2006 vintage tile

Every February, Montalcino fills with excitement for Benvenuto Brunello, when the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino announces its evaluation of the most recent vintage (more information can be found here).  In addition to this announcement is the unveiling of the newest vintage’s tile, a tradition started by the Consorzio in 1992 enlisting the design skills of celebrities from the world of art, sports and entertainment. With the release of the 2006 Brunello into the markets this year, here’s a closer look at that year’s tile, designed by one of the world’s preeminent hospitality designers, Adam D. Tihany. 

Born in Transylvania in 1948, Tihany grew up in Israel and later studied architecture in Italy at the Politecnico di Milano before moving to New York to pursue his cutting-edge, whimsical and sophisticated design approach, which was influenced by his unique global perspective. Tihany is generally credited with having created the concept of the upscale trattoria and brasserie in New York.  His role as a restaurant owner for over 25 years makes him particularly suited to intimately know the needs of his clients when designing new restaurants. He has conceived interiors for over 300 restaurants for such esteemed chefs as Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Charlie Palmer, Pierre Gagnaire, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Wolfgang Puck and the Maccioni family. Besides restaurants, Tihany has a depth of experience designing hotels as well, including the Shangri-La in Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the Aleph Hotel in Rome, the King David and Dan Eilat hotels in Israel and the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London and Geneva. 

He has also created lines for luxury producers such as Christofle, Frette and McGuire. Adam Tihany has been a two-time curator of the Milan Furniture Fair, creating exhibits both for restaurants and for hotels. Accolades include induction to the Interior Design Hall of Fame (1991), James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who in Food and Beverage in the United States (1997), Bon Appetit’s Designer of the Year (2001) and most recently an appointment, starting August 1, 2011, as the Art Director of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY. While hotel and restaurant designs can change at any time, Adam Tihany has been immortalized with his 2006 Brunello tile in Montalcino.