CADE Estate.

Our design brief from the Plumpjack Group was two-fold: to design sustainably and treat every decision as an opportunity to do something different, creating a bold vision to complement the bold character of the wine and the Howell Mountain site.

The winery production and hospitality structures are sibling spaces, related in design and materials, but set apart by their scale. Composed of weighty masses, with careful attention to detail and craftsmanship, the buildings speak to the masculinity of the site and wines. We chose the materials to age in place and meet the weathered palette of the surroundings. The many vertical elements commune with the surrounding fir trees.

We placed the winery production building to fit between the existing trees, (only two trees were removed to accommodate the construction). The curved wall that defines the entry to the production building responds to the site’s natural bowl. Vertical bands of structural glass let in light and, along with rooftop solar panels, minimize energy usage. Massive concrete walls hide water tanks and provide passive cooling in the non-conditioned winery. The inverted roofline masks solar arrays and white roofs. Recycled materials minimize the winery’s ecological impact.

In contrast to the production building, the smaller hospitality building remains hidden. Visitors approach down a discreet walkway, their view intentionally hidden by a freestanding wall until they round a corner and see the dramatic view. The tension created when the space closes in and then opens up to reveal the full scope of the view intensifies the effect. The clean lines of the tasting terrace and adjacent tasting room allow the view to drive the visitor experience.