In Paso Robles wine country, amidst the hills and vines of Booker Vineyard’s 100-acre property, is a new tasting venue with a lounge-y vibe that invites guests to gather with friends, settle in and make themselves at home.
Signum Architecture’s minimalist design honors the California winery’s natural surroundings, matching the sensibilities of owner and vintner Eric Jensen, whose respect for the land is central to his winemaking approach. The fracture patterns of the area’s limestone soil, for example, were used as the basis for the layout of the structure’s long walls. The restrained material palette includes cedar, board-formed concrete and natural steel, which architect Juancarlos Fernandez says “will rust over time, just like the stakes at the end of each vine row.”
The architecture is complemented by understated interiors by Katie Martinez Design, whose warm, light color palette was also inspired by the limestone soil. Tactile surfaces abound— from raked limestone bathroom tile and bleached walnut and white oak cabinetry to cedar siding and beams and burnished brass at the bar front.
The new spaces set the stage for various experiences at the winery, from a VIP limestone cave tasting with the owner’s personal library of wines, to an afternoon of “Bocce and Bottles” on a private outdoor lounge area.
