Play
Dine
Rest
PUNT ROAD WINERY
The experience of a casual country getaway.
There are some places that are fantastic to visit and others that you never want to leave. The arcadian Punt Road Winery is the latter. Designed to create a village feel, with verandahs and pathways connecting several small buildings, the compound is more than just a winery. It is a passport to a different era — a country village where you can bask in the Australian landscape on lazy summer afternoons.
The Brief.
Punt Road Winery is a fourth-generation family business.
As part of a long-term plan to hand the business off to the next generation, Michael and his family wanted to modernise the winery. They sought a development plan that would turn the site into a community hub where visitors would spend the day tasting, shopping and exploring.
Our development plan for the site also involved a strategic positioning of the brand. The other wineries on the peninsula are very upmarket. In contrast, we wanted to bring a more casual and inviting feel to the Punt Road brand.
The landscape here is breath-taking. We knew that we wanted to complement this environment with buildings that involved local materials and echoed vernacular building practices. We also wanted to make sure the buildings offered panoramic views and took advantage of the site’s magnificent solar access.
The masterplan involved six types of structures: a cider bar building, a wine cellar door, an 80-seat restaurant, a function hall for events, cabins and the chapel. Our challenge was to connect these spaces with verandahs and pathways in a way that invited exploration and discovery.
The Napoleone family wanted the compound to feel like a humble, cosy village with new experiences lingering around every corner. To optimise the visitor experience, we performed a detailed analysis of the site before mapping the master plan.
Project Highlights.
Wayfinding
The master plan is modelled on a village. We wanted visitors to think of the winery as a place to explore, like a historic town where one would take a day trip.
Numerous pathways and verandahs link the pavilions together, promoting a natural flow between the cider bar, wine cellar, restaurant and function hall. The circular movement allows visitors to immerse themselves in the landscape. Each pavilion includes covered decks with sweeping views of the mountain landscape, and gardens are laced throughout the scheme.
Accommodations
Not everyone just stays at Punt Road for the day. Those who wish to see the sunset and sunrise at this magnificent venue can choose to stay overnight in a cabin. Every one of the cabins is a quick walk to the hospitality pavilions. And all exude Punt Road’s breezy sense of calm in their architecture, which is understated and minimal. Like every other structure on the premises, the cabins are designed to feel at one with the landscape.
Cider Bar
One thing about this project is that, while high end contradicts with humble, it is not pretentious. Visitors are invited to bring their families and feel at home here.
The cider bar is a humble, intimate structure with a porous design that seamlessly ties it to the patio and lawn. Here, visitors can enjoy the fresh air and even play outdoor games. The gardens nearby are beautiful but have an easy-going, natural feel. Nothing is overly manicured or contrived.
