In the heart of a vineyard, nestled on the side of a mountain near Sonoma, California, Bjella Architecture has fused a home and boutique winery together into a bold, modern design that is warm and inviting, yet exhibits an industrial edge fitting to its purpose. For the family, it is a home and a lifestyle that are inseparable.
Inspired by the earth it rests upon, the exterior of the home draws its color palette from the rich hues of the vineyard soils and local rock outcroppings. The stone and stucco materials link the home with the land, reinforcing the home’s sense of place. The stone seamlessly flows inside where earthy concrete floors, Merlot wine-stained cabinetry, and exposed steel structure tie the home together.
The defining feature of this residence is the tower that stands proudly at the forefront. Capped with a crown of heavy timbers harvested from the site and milled on location, the tower serves as an observatory, offering panoramic views of the vineyard and the expansive valley beyond. It's not just a structure; it's a vantage point that invites residents and guests alike to connect with the land, and perhaps more importantly, for children to launch paper airplanes.
Designed for hosting gatherings and celebrations, the home boasts a spacious open-plan layout. The interiors, constructed with durable materials, exude a relaxed ambiance, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces with expansive glazing. The living room, a gridded glass box, frames captivating views of the vineyard and valley and features a stone fireplace with a heavy timber and industrial steel mantel.
The dining room overlooks a private courtyard, often serving as the canvas for catered wine-related events. A short walk up the hill from the courtyard takes visitors to the wine-tasting pavilion and its picnic tables perched above a large lake. The flexible dining space allows the family’s lightweight dining furniture to be temporarily whisked away and replaced with tables that accommodate large gatherings. Meanwhile, another private courtyard, adjacent to the bedrooms, hosts a refreshing swimming pool, offering a secluded oasis of relaxation.
Stepping outside onto the expansive deck, one is greeted by an unobstructed view that seemingly stretches to infinity. As the fog gracefully rolls into the valley below, blanketing the landscape in white, the sensation is that of being on top of the world.
Connected by a long, covered walkway, the winemaking facility is an integral part of the residence, serving dual purposes as both a garage and a winery. The naturally cooled cellars beneath the home provide a proper environment for storing the carefully crafted wines.
