Modern Winery Design: Sokol Blosser - Imbibe Magazine Subscribe + Save

With a sleek low-lying exterior clad in striated wood, at first glance the Sokol Blosser tasting room is a far cry from the traditional winery design. The Sokol Blosser family first planted vines in Oregon’s Dundee Hills in 1971, but in 2012, they teamed up with acclaimed architecture firm Allied Works to reimagine the winery’s tasting room.

The design was inspired by the natural ebb and flow of vineyard rows, making the building an organic extension of the surrounding landscape. With its blend of clean lines and geometric shapes, the space is a modern showpiece with contemporary stylings weaving throughout, with large windows and skylights allowing natural light to create shifting patterns on the floors and walls while showcasing the panoramic views of the Willamette Valley. “The final product brings the beauty of the Oregon landscape indoors, offering guests an immersive experience that celebrates the artistry of Sokol Blosser wines through the transformative power of design,” says Alex Sokol Blosser.

The vineyard has been certified-organic since 2005, and the topic of sustainability weaves throughout the design. The abundance of natural light reduces the need for electricity, and an onsite 25kW solar panel system located on the rooftop and grounds provides much of the power for the tasting room. High-efficiency glazing reduces heating and cooling loads, and for the energy that Sokol Blosser cannot produce onsite, they purchase renewable wind power. The design was created with the Living Building Challenge in mind, a certification they’re still working toward.

The Sokol Blosser team loved working with Allied Works so much that they also collaborated on a recent limited-edition wine release. Allied principal Brad Cloepfil designed the label for the #4, a blend of wine from the four best barrels from the four best blocks of Pinot Noir from the vineyard: Goosepen, Orchard, Big Tree and Peach Tree. Sokol Blosser says he’s thrilled with the results. “You can’t drink world-class architecture, but this will be as close as you get!”

Enjoy This Article?

Sign up for our newsletter and get biweekly recipes and articles delivered to your inbox.

Send this to a friend