Journal | February 2020

DOMAINE THOMSON TASTING ROOM

The Domaine-Thomson Wines’ tasting room sits on a natural platform above the vines with panoramic views across the vineyard and Cromwell Basin to Lake Dunstan. Surrounded by mountain ranges, the image is of a classic Central Otago landscape.

Noel Lane (Conceptual Architect), drove the backroads of Otago and Southland with his fishing buddy and client David Hall-Jones, to visualise the final feel and position of the buildings. In association, R B Studio led the way in conjunction with Noel to the final construction and delivery.

The building architecture is inspired by local, historical buildings from the era of John Turnbull Thomson, chief surveyor of Otago in the mid-1800s and celebrated in the name of the wine. His era was the humble structures of gold miners and farmers who created shelter from readily available, simple materials. Like the terroir of the wine, the building profile honours this legacy by featuring corrugated iron roofs and walls, a lean-to porch and galvanised sheet chimneys.

Similarly the timber post and beam construction, carries on a New Zealand tradition of keeping things simple and practical and not seeking to dominate the landscape. Above all, the hut relates to the human experience in nature and being immersed in one of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. The building is made in two parts – one hut contains the tasting room, gallery and library, the other has the cellar, office and amenities. Connected by a glazed entry and corridor, the two huts are set at a slight angle to each other to welcome visitors into the heart of the building.

The glazed entry opens into a transition space, evoking a traditional porch/breezeway function used to hitch horses, bed dogs or hang wet gear. Creating a refuge from the ‘wilderness’, it gives winery guests partial shelter before they enter the interior proper. Large sliding doors facing the vineyard and view, allow visitors to pause and orientate.

With the tasting room on one side and the gallery/library on the other, the main hut is perfectly symmetrical and bookended by two large fireplaces. Spaces feel cosy and private, and a series of small windows afford views to the outdoors. These rooms recall the experience of musterers huts and how early settlers in the area would have viewed the landscape and taken shelter from the weather. Indoor finishes include exposed Douglas fir, Macrocarpa and slabs of Mt Somers limestone around the fireplace.

Layered onto the European settler architecture are old-world French references, such as the metal chandeliers and herringbone floor to remind us of the connection with Domaine-Thomson Wines’ sister vineyard in Burgundy, France. The overall feeling is rustic yet refined, its classic silhouettes and utility materials designed and assembled with great care and skill. Spaces have an atmosphere of relaxed refinement that reflects the history and unique character of Domaine-Thomson Wines.