Phase 1
In 2012, Kistler Vineyards embarked on a new venture, to create a tasting venue for the first time in the company’s 34-year history. They chose the Trenton Roadhouse site to showcase their brand in a turn-of-the-century farmhouse and barn situated in one of their established single vineyard sites in Forestville, California. Their overarching goal was to create a distinctive and personal tasting experience that would reflect their brand identity. While the initial project transformed the farmhouse and landscape to reflect Kistler’s unique approach to vinification and the clean, honest, nuanced single vineyard wines, the recent project celebrates the winemaking process and provides a more production-oriented setting in which to taste their wines.
Phase 2
The original barn was reconstructed and expanded to become a small winemaking facility. Early conversations with the winemaker provided the inspiration for the design that features the winery’s unique fermentation techniques. The expansive central space provides the main tasting room. A series of glazed openings along the length of the flanking barrel room walls provide the visitors with views into the fermentation and barrel storage areas.
The design maintains the rustic aesthetic of the original barn, combined with contemporary elements that reflect the Kistler Vineyard brand:
● The original barn was dismantled. The new winery/barn was reconstructed in the same location and configuration with an expanded footprint to accommodate winery production.
● The dismantled barn siding was combined with salvaged wood from other local sources to provide the interior wall and ceiling finish.
● Custom designed steel and wood tables crafted from salvaged wood framing members from the original building. Inlaid solid surface provides a white background for winetasting, since the white tasting room in the Roadhouse is so popular with visitors.
● Metal chandeliers were inspired by the metal straps around the oak wine barrels.
● 14 foot tall metal doors are painted to match the color of the foil on the Pinot Noir bottles, as are the tasting room chairs, and provide views of both the Roadhouse to the west and vineyards to the east.