Set amidst the heart of Bannockburn, 5km southwest of Cromwell, ‘Terroir Unearthed’ stands as a design response to the captivating history and geography of the landscape. Many years ago, the Cromwell basin was formed and sculpted into its present landscape by a series of glaciations, leaving behind lateral moraines with an abundance of schist rock formations. In more recent times, on the doorstep of Bannockburn, the hills have been vastly scared by the gold mining rush of the late nineteenth century. Gold sluicing, using the power of water has turned the landforms from gentle sloping terrain to rugged and imposing pinnacles. While the visual and cultural impact on the landscape might be formidable to some, it is important to recognize that the sluicing has provided soil with optimal terroir for wine-growing conditions.

 

The vision of this project looked to create a boutique winery to respond to these two landforms, celebrating the major influences on today's landscape. This led to two distinct buildings that would harmonize with their surroundings and reflect the region's unique history. The factory building, nestled within the Templars Hill vineyard, draws inspiration from the lateral glacial moraines that charm the valley. In contrast, the cellar door and restaurant building, perched on the steeper part of the site, takes design cues from the sluicing pinnacles created by the mining activities that once defined this land.

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Strategically positioned at a distance from public areas, the factory building serves as the heart of the winemaking operations, sheltered from the fervour of harvest season visitors. Its form is characterized by a vertically-stepping curved timber-clad roof, mirroring the contours of a lateral moraine, supported by a timber lattice superstructure, while gabion basket walls beneath symbolize the fractured landscapes left by retreating glaciers. The exterior walls align harmoniously with the vine rows, creating a visual synergy with the elegant roof, ensuring a seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. The factory layout maximizes the site's slope to use gravity flow for enhancing wine quality. Its six levels include Storage and crush pad, Pinot Noir Fermentation, Settling, Aging, Riesling Fermentation, and Bottling. The roof then extends down to ground plane, covering the loading zone. The winery is designed to produce 150,000 litres of wine annually, with room for expansion.

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In contrast to the factory, the cellar door and restaurant building is designed to be a captivating focal point. Cloaked in polycarbonate and Kaynemaile mesh screens, it illuminates the night, offering glimpses of the lively human activity within, signalling visitors to explore its interior. As visitors approach the site, they trace a path alongside the vine rows, passing by the factory building. Upon disembarking from their vehicles, their eyes are irresistibly drawn up the steep slope to the striking pinnacle-like structure. The desire to ascend and explore is immediate. As they ascend the zigzagging footpath towards the building, an external platform appears, leading them into the tasting and restaurant level.

Within this space, visitors have the option of a quick tasting or a more relaxed sit and dine. Accompanying the cellar door is a show barrel store for visitors to taste wine while connecting with the winemaking process. The restaurant, located on the northern-facing end, offers sweeping views of the Cromwell basin and the rugged mountainous backdrop. The lower ground level serves as accommodation, utilized for workers during harvest season and as a hostel-like living for seasonal workers throughout the four seasons. The steeper site of the cellar door and restaurant will be adorned with native plantings, complete with constructed filtration ponds collecting site runoff water.

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Terroir Unearthed stands as a place of geographical reflection. It Responds architecturally to the historical landforms which has carved the land into an optimal terroir. The deliberate response to the captivating influences of glaciations and gold mining has given rise to two distinct buildings that seamlessly respond with their surroundings. 'Terroir Unearthed' stands not just as a fine wine-producing project but as a testament to the seamless integration of architecture, landscape, and the rich heritage that defines this remarkable place.