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“A strong, dynamic yet undeniably rural building, Richard Priest has designed a winery which uses materials in sympathy with the surrounding countryside. The soaring roof form imitates and accentuates the gravity of the site at the juncture of foothills and the Gimblett Road valley floor.
Simple, large open spaces provide a hallowed atmosphere, at the same time allowing the building to function as intended as a producing winery. The building establishes a solid base for the winery’s future expansion, evoking an image of stability and longevity”. |
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So states the citation from the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 2002 when the building won a regional architectural award and became a national finalist.
Outstanding Auckland architect, Richard Priest, was engaged to design a distinctively Hawke’s Bay / New Zealand farm-building–inspired concept. The design is spare, functional and unique.
The first stage of the concrete building was ready in time for the 1997 harvest. A Barrel Hall wing was added in 1999. This is humidity and temperature-controlled, combining the best of technology with the time-honoured practices used to make top-quality wine.
Visitors are offered the Warmest Welcome at the Cellar Door which provides views into the Barrel Hall through a large glass wall. |
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The covered balcony has stunning vistas over the vineyards of the Gimblett Gravels and the Western Heretaunga Plains of Hawke’s Bay Wine Country towards the iconic Te Mata Peak. All under wide-open skies and the clear, bright light the region is known for.
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