Sustainability issues are often considered as an afterthought or an "extra" that can be added as time & budget permit. We address this subject first because we consider that truly responsible and sustainable design can only be accomplished from the beginning, with the concept running as a thread through the entire lifecycle of a facility. When properly integrated with the facility design, "sustainability" has a positive impact on economics, public brand perception, and on the local and global environment. When appropriate to the project, we are happy to include LEED or Energy Star certification programs in our design process.
Winery designs range from simple to sublime. Start-up wineries often occupy spaces in existing agricultural buildings (or even garages!) with few structural modifications or changes. Still, attention must be paid to the facility to make sure that it is clean, sanitary and suitable for the use. Equipment must be specified, utilities provided, and work flow considered. Moderate sized wineries often use pre-engineered or other general utilitarian buildings, where engineers and designers are required to aid in selection of siting & permitting, building properties, finishes, equipment, etc. At the highest form of the art, wineries are showplaces that serve as a platform for the aesthetic values embodied in the wine itself. Many wineries become the recognized symbol for the wine brand. We can assist owners at all levels of design, or handle the entire process from design to construction management.
Proper location of the winery on the site is more than a matter of chance. Good site selection affects visibility and public attraction, durability and maintenance, energy use, material selection, and even winemaking style in the case of gravity assisted wineries. Site drainage and traffic flow are critical to maintenance and operating costs. Depending on the jurisdiction, permitting can include everything from simple building permits to complex environmental and other analyses and permits on the local, state, and even national level.
The exterior of the winery often sets that critical first impression in your customer's minds. Proper landscape design can set the stage for a positive visit to your facility, and it can begin to show your aesthetic and environmental ideals. Even simple landscapes, if well designed, can visually connect the building to the landscape and establish an aesthetic presence for your product. As with the other parts of the facility design, good landscape design should be incorporated into the plan from the beginning to merge as a part of a unified whole.
Simply put, you can't make good wine without good equipment. Whether new or used, the equipment must be appropriate for your winemaking style and production requirements. And, the equipment must be properly integrated with your facility to provide smooth flow of traffic and product, to allow for sanitation, and similar considerations. Concepts like selection of pumps and filters can be daunting for startup wineries. Hoses and connectors must be compatible between equipment. We can help select and specify equipment that meets your unique style and requirements.
The two equipment areas that can most affect your wine quality are filtration and refrigeration. The selection of proper Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration equipment affects the winery work environment, wine quality, and of course, the budget. Properly integrated HVAC/R equipment provides good performance within appropriate capital and operating budget requirements. Of course, equipment operating costs can also be a large part of the winery operating budget. Careful selection of especially efficient HVAC/R equipment and integration with the rest of the building systems can result in wineries that require little or no net external energy input.