Levantine Hill Estate Winery

The 250-tonne-per-year winemaking facility with basement wine cellar seamlessly combines a major reception hall within its barrel vault structure. As the process developed, the brief evolved to include a barrel vault pavilion extension adding to the flexibility of the overall space. The pavilion extension unlocks additional entertainment space with panoramic views of Yarra Valley to the facility. The building’s design vision always favoured form and space and did not reply on expensive material palette. Inspired by agricultural buildings, appropriate materials were selected for longevity and appearance and included natural raw materials used in combination with steel, concrete, and polished stone. Infusing the spirit of winemaking across the design, wine engineers and technologist including Tom Hester were engaged. Planning was done in close consultant with the estate’s head winemaker Paul Bridgeman. A collection of noteworthy sculptural pieces from distinguished artists were incorporated throughout the space, highlighted by a major light installation by artist Frank Bauer.

The surrounding bucolic countryside serves as inspiration for a design that allows the celebration of wine’s connection to the land. By visually integrating the building with the rolling landscape and using materials synonymous with regional structures, the aim was to achieve a design in harmony with the natural and agricultural surroundings.

The winery’s rolled arched structure has been sheeted with galvanised steel purlins and corrugated iron cladding to reflect this cultivated setting. The curvature of the building’s black steel framework resembling a pristine barrel vault captures vistas of the vineyard and is in concert with the neighbouring cellar door. From rainwater collecting tanks to the use of native flora in the landscaping, Levantine Hill Estate respects its natural connection to the Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. As production facility, many EPA regulations have been met regarding the disposal of waste. For instance, organic rich grey water from winery production is retained, treated and reused for landscape irrigation and management.

The winery’s requirements and uses were integrated with a sustainability programme that included rainwater collection for irrigation, organic grey water retention, treatment and reuse, and extensive return of native flora to the landscape. In so doing, Levantine Hill Estate respects its natural connection to the Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. The winery’s quality offering combines education and training in the fields of hospitality and winemaking. As a drawcard and as am employer, Levantine Hill Estate provides real economic and tourism benefit to the region as a world-class producer of fine wine, food, entertainment and architecture.

The Levantine Hill Estate winery contributes uniquely to the reputation and status of the Yarra Valley as a must-see destination for fine food, wine, hospitality, art, and architecture. The state-of-the-art winemaking structure is a new Yarra Valley attraction celebrating Victoria's design and wine culture through form and space. The architecture has delivered a building that, whilst striking and almost imposing, sits beautifully and gently in its environs. The versatility of spaces and uses throughout adds to the region's rich culture and attracts diverse visitors and locals.