BCRA design firm advised
us last night that our 14 Hands tasting room project won Retail Project of the
Year at the NAIOP Night of the Stars event!
“Your Windswept Weathered wood product, craftsmanship and attention to
detail were an integral part of the project’s success,” says Kela Gribbons of
BCRA. “We appreciate your partnership
and hope we continue to work on many more together. Thank you!”
BCRA specified
our weathered, barn wood appearance siding for both the interior and exterior
elevations. “The authentic nature and genuine feel of the Windswept product was
ideally suited for the ethos of 14 Hands. Many products were utilized adding to the overwhelming
success of this project but Windswept clearly established the tone we were
seeking”, Kela adds.
About
14 Hands
Situated in the picturesque Horse Heaven Hills sits one of the
most well respected American wineries; Chateau Ste. Michelle’s 14 Hands
vineyards. Critically acclaimed, this Washington wine’s success grew from the
shelves of restaurants and select retailers. Ste. Michelle desired a new
tasting facility to be the first platform for 14 Hands to create a cohesive
customer experience with their already established and successful wine.
BCRA first launched the design process for a new tasting room
with an abstract understanding of what the 14 Hands brand experience could be.
While 14 Hands celebrates successful varietals, and hails as the official Wine
of the Kentucky derby, the customer experience of the wine itself lacked
definition. The existing label artwork was the only existing visual expression
of their brand. It highlights wild horses, known to be 14 hands tall, that used
to be abundant in the Horse Heaven Hills region. Ste. Michelle executives also
expressed a desire for a “Cowboy Nouveau" tasting experience.
Our design team’s branding effort began by conceptualizing the
space with written narrative. Then came a cross disciplinary approach; bringing
together Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture and
Environmental Graphic Design working together to capture the unbridled spirit
of the brand in a three-dimensional space.
Honoring Today's Winemaking Process
The site was unique; Ste. Michelle was faced with a decision to
utilize a site with an existing 43,000 sf production facility or search for a
new location. Many local wineries set up small shops with a mall-like approach
to tasting, alluring visitors with one-stop shopping. In turn, this has removed
visitors from the craft of wine making itself. BCRA’s designers sought to honor
the age old traditions of the region complimented with today’s modern
authenticity of the wine making process.
Much like the agrarian concept of farm growth over time, BCRA
demonstrated the existing site could organically evolve to accommodate 14 Hands
in a variety of ways, including a large 50’ x 20’ mural of the famed label
artwork to create a minimalist illusion of a vast building. Moving from the
warehouse, slightly rotating the orientation of the 2700 sf addition smoothly
transitions the interior and exterior space. Finally, a spacious courtyard
flanked by topographic walls break up the view from the parking lot and bring a
visual line of interest to the open sky and surrounding hills.
A connected space
The seamless integration of the wine tasting facility and
courtyard also sets the stage for future expansions. The 9,500 sf exterior
courtyard accommodates 150 guests and prominently features custom sculptural
art of wild horses galloping in a bubbling fountain. A gate extends from the
sculpture to enclose the space and delineate spatial privacy for private
events. Crushed aggregate tunes the visitors senses with the rawness of the land
while tall perennial grasses flow in the wind, mimicking the perpetual movement
in the region’s rolling hills.
Nodding to the deep agricultural history of the west, many
elements of the interior space feature recycled materials reminiscent of the
era. Tooled leather on walls, exposed rough beetle kill wood siding and punch
tin covered cabinetry adorns the space. Reclaimed wood on the walls feature
large graphic panels evocative of weathered barn advertising, exhibiting tones
of the 14 Hands winemaking process. A vast 26 foot long, custom old
western-inspired bar welcomes discerning wine connoisseurs while industrial
style bistro tables and leather lounge furniture invite conversation areas for
casual visitors alike. Fabricated from corrugated steel, a large custom
chandelier resonates the free spirit of wild horses. Throughout the interior
and exterior area, the variety of textures creates a relaxed space reflecting
the approachable 14 Hands brand that their customers identify with.
To
accommodate large crowds, Ste. Michelle also sought a flexible space suitable
for receptions and events, but also configurable for intimate gatherings.
A warming kitchen hides behind the punch tin wine bar cabinetry for easy
catering access. The oversized tilt-up doors that provide access to the
courtyard also serve as welcoming awnings through the interior and exterior
space. A double-sided fireplace warms seating for the modern ottoman inside and
welcomes visitors to enjoy the traditional woven furniture outside. To allow
visitors to connect directly with 14 Hand’s vintner and today’s modern
winemaking process, a glass wall adjoins the existing production faculty with
the tasting room. Finally, above the lower level hangs a ‘hay loft’
accommodating VIP guests for private tastings at an oversized farm table.
For information about Windswept Weathered Wood contact:
Glen Ehrhardt, President
Harvest Timber Specialty Products
PO Box 59
Lakebay, WA 98349
p. (253) 884-6255
f. (253) 884-6256
email windsweptwood@gmail.com
