As some of you may know, the Ardiri Winery tasting room was added to the production facility in 2010 after several years of having been a commercial production facility only without public access. Originally, as a production facility only housing wine making equipment as well as hardware for both production and storage, formal facilities for visitors were non-existent. However, when the property was acquired in 2008 the beautiful view and bucolic setting became apparent and John, Gail, and their team immediately realized that public access was necessary in order to enjoy the natural beauty of the location.
Some ideas were beginning to materialize, but creativity rested mostly with Gail. There were several iterations of the design before the final architectural plans were completed. Gail noted that ease of entrance from the parking lot would be greatly facilitated with a walkway that was adjacent to the nearby vineyard, taking advantage of the sweeping view of the vines and valley. This ovoid semi-circular walkway leading to the tasting area would also accommodate improved landscaping and potentially a fountain or similar water facility.
The tasting room itself was a creative effort primarily generated by the architects, especially Geoffrey Franklin whose environmental sensitivity coupled with the desire to maximize exposure to the setting resulted in the basic concept of the “indoor-outdoor” feeling that one experiences in the tasting room.
The actual tasting room was enclosed in a smaller space defined by garage doors. Initially, the adjacent area was to be mostly grass, but the look of flagstone, originally just for the small tasting room, was too attractive to be confined. So the flagstone area was expanded throughout most of the tasting environment. The slanted open roof design allowed for a protected yet outdoor feel and the multiple firepits helped give a sense of warmth and comfort.
The openness of the tasting area did create a problem. John and Gail were not accustomed to the evening winds that occasionally chilled the evening air, and so, after experimenting with multiple types of wind shielding, decided on the glass walls that would block severe winds but not hamper the views of the vines, adjacent area and valley, especially the clear view of Mt. Hood.
One can never be absolutely certain that the architectural plans on paper will result in a positive physical experience. However, when completed, the physical environs and ambiance of the tasting area were far more positive than the plans defined. The result is that Ardiri Winery and Vineyards tasting area was recognized for its comfortable setting as well as enjoying one of the best views of Oregon. It has provided a charming and comforting place to enjoy a glass of fine wine and the fruits of Oregon’s unique vistas and landscapes.
