Winery design with intention

As winery construction ramps up, we wanted to share a little bit about the inspiration that has gone into our design process. We realized that what we care about most is experience – creating a space where you, our future visitor, can walk the orchards and vineyards, see and smell the wines fermenting and share in what we love most about viticulture, the connection with our farm ecosystem.

Left to right: (1) Winnica Sandomierska in Sandomierz, Poland (2) Mikkeller Brewery in Copenhagen, Denmark (3) Azienda Torensi in Montalcino, Italy

INSPIRED BY EXPERIENCE

We wanted to be intentional about the type of space we created and thought long and hard about the types of tasting experiences that have stood out to us.

When we visited Winnica Sandomierska in Sandomierz, Poland (Iza’s hometown) we were handed a glass and the winemaker brought a couple of bottles along as we walked the vineyard and winery. We sipped on Solaris as we stood next to the dormant vines and he explained how they are pruned and lifted handfuls of soil for us to see what made the region special.

In Copenhagen, Denmark we ogled the amphora and barrels stacked to the ceiling at the Mikkeller Brewery. The warehouse space where they brewed completely open to visitors with only the bar separating the patrons drinking on one side from the brewers working on the other.

At Azienda Torensi in Montalcino, Italy we met three generations of a family growing Sangiovese grapes and making Brunello. On the way to the tasting, we stepped over a hose running down the patio stairs as they allowed gravity to move the wine to barrel and were greeted by the grandmother with a plate of homemade olive oil cake made from the family’s olive grove.

Wanderlust aside, we realized that what captivated us were not opulent buildings or white-linen service but, for an hour or two, feeling like we were part of the action, part of the family. That’s the feeling we want to share with you!

Orchard lunch during 2021 apple harvest.

FOCUSED ON FARMING

When we first started this journey, we wrote a sort of guiding principle for ourselves: “vineyard first, wine second, everything else last.” It’s how we prioritize our time, our budget, and the wine-drinking experience we hope to create for you.

We truly believe that delicious wine and cider start in the vineyard and orchard with healthy soil and well cared for plants. Our winemaking style focuses on letting the fruit shine and helping each vintage express the unique growing season.

When you visit us in the future, we want you to be able to experience that for yourself. To see how different plants work together, hear which wildflowers attract bees and beneficial insects, to smell the apple blossoms and – yes, sometimes even the aromas wafting from the neighboring dairy farm.

So as we designed this building and navigated budget restraints, we’ve come back to this motto and the tasting experiences that have stuck with us most, focusing on farming and including you in the action.

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