MacPhail Family Wines - MacPhail Winery
Healdsburg, CA - Completed 2008
The owner/winemaker wanted the new winery to blend in with the rural farmland setting and vernacular images of rural barns and utilitarian structures became the starting point. The initial challenge was to place this 5,000 square foot winery on a one-acre parcel of land that is shared with the winemaker’s home and all the on-site utilities (a well & septic system) that are common with rural properties. The winery’s design is modest, efficient and unimposing.
Natural daylight plays a key role which gives the occupant a feeling of well being, health and comfort. The fermentation room has south facing clerestory windows running the length of the room. A large overhang cuts off any direct sunlight which helps to avoid any heat gain. High windows in the gable end bring in morning light and skylights help to give the room a natural day lit atmosphere. In winery design there is a delicate balance between the values of natural light and the reduction of heat gain, especially in the barrel room where a high thermal containment is necessary.
Solar panels will soon be added to the south facing roof just below the clerestory windows and should bring the monthly power bills down to a minimum. The roof has a “cool roof” feature that reflects nearly as much heat as it absorbs which means less heat gain for the building. A process wastewater “wetland system” treats the water from the winery which is then reused for irrigation on the property.
