The Refined Pour
A Luxury Wine Tasting Room Remodel
A comprehensive remodel for Black Kite Cellars tasting room designed to provide a luxurious and welcoming environment for wine enthusiasts. The project, a collaboration between Hawkins Interiors, VRA Architecture, and LEFF Design Build, focused on enhancing the ambiance, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of the space to reflect the high quality of Black Kite Cellars’ offerings and create a memorable guest experience.
Jump to Photo GalleryFeatures
2 Months
Time in Design
6 Months
Time in Permitting
8 Months
Time in Construction
Freestone, CA
Location
$600,000
Budget
The design of Jasper House has been praised for capturing the romance of California’s foggy coastline through organic materials, earthy palettes, and rustic textures. The main room evokes the feel of a study in a world traveler’s home, with built-in bookcases showcasing a curated selection of books and treasures collected from the owners’ trips around the world.
as featured in Hospitality Design
The Refined Pour
Design & Planning
Client Vision:
Black Kite Cellars sought to elevate their tasting room to match the elegance and sophistication of their premium wines. Their goals included:
- Creating a warm, inviting space that reflects the brand’s identity and dedication to craftsmanship.
- Improving the flow and functionality of the tasting area to accommodate more guests while maintaining an intimate experience.
- Introducing high-end finishes and custom design elements to make the space feel luxurious yet authentic to the winery’s rustic setting.
Key Collaborators:
- Hawkins Interiors: Known for their innovative and sophisticated design solutions, Hawkins Interiors brought a refined, bohemian-inspired vision to life, blending plush furnishings, natural materials, and curated decor.
- VRA Architecture: Provided expert architectural design to ensure the new tasting room seamlessly integrated with the historic character of Freestone while meeting modern functional needs.
- LEFF Design Build: Managed project coordination, construction execution, and ensured seamless communication between all teams.
Key Design Features:
- Rustic Modern Aesthetic: A combination of reclaimed wood, natural stone, and sleek modern finishes for a timeless look.
- Central Tasting Bar: A custom-designed bar that serves as the focal point, featuring a natural stone countertop and wood paneling.
- Private Tasting Nooks: Intimate seating areas for personalized tastings and small gatherings.
- Display and Storage: Custom-built wine display racks and storage solutions that highlight Black Kite Cellars’ vintages.
- Lighting and Ambiance: Ambient lighting, pendant fixtures, and natural light to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Challenges Identified:
- Balancing the need for increased guest capacity with maintaining an intimate, high-end experience.
- Updating the design while preserving the winery’s established identity and rustic charm.
Construction Process
Construction Process
Step 1: Demolition and Structural Enhancements
- Removed outdated fixtures, flooring, and partitions to open up the space.
- Reinforced the structure to accommodate new design elements and modern amenities.
Step 2: Interior Redesign
- A custom tasting staging workspace service corridor
- Created private tasting nooks with built-in seating, upholstered natural fabrics, to offer intimate experiences for smaller groups.
Step 3: Lighting and Finishes
- Integrated ambient lighting with dimmable LED fixtures, pendant lights over the bar, and accent lighting to highlight key design features.
- Installed wide-plank oak flooring and natural stone elements to enhance the rustic-modern aesthetic.
Step 4: Outdoor Integration
- Refreshed the patio area adjacent to the tasting room with new seating, pergolas, and fire pits to extend the guest experience outdoors.
- Added large sliding glass doors to create seamless transitions between the indoor and outdoor tasting spaces.
Ambiance:
- Soft, ambient lighting and natural materials create a warm, welcoming environment.
- Thoughtful design elements evoke a sense of craftsmanship, reflecting the quality and care that go into every bottle of Black Kite wine.
