Evelyn County Estate Vineyard Restaurant
Victoria, Australia
Harmer Architecture

This vineyard restaurant entices visitors to eat, drink, and buy wine

© Trevor Mein

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

A small budget for this project dictated a small space, but the goals for the restaurant were ambitious. The architect aimed to create a space that would be not only a winery restaurant, but also would "eschew traditional vineyard stereotypes." The location of the vineyard on the edge of the Melbourne metropolitan area, and at the gateway to the scenic tourist route to the Yarra Valley, created an opportunity to lure local and international visitors. This welcoming feeling is best expressed by the roof plane that is tilted-up and parallel to the ground slope and the entry road, inviting people into the space.

The project serves many purposes but the main objective was to promote the products of the vineyard by combining sales and a restaurant that serves the vineyard's wines, which are made and bottled off-site. After Australia introduced a "wine equalization tax" a few years ago, restaurants such as this one have been popping up around the country since winemakers pay less tax for selling products at their own vineyards. The building also includes a gallery that exhibits the work of a resident artist, as well as other temporary exhibits.

The design of the restaurant integrates the building with the vineyard. A view of the entire vineyard and surrounding landscape can be enjoyed from its interior or outside on a cantilevered timber deck. The sectional expression of a roof plane bent into a single roof-wall continuum reflects the ground plane and creates a striking presence from afar. The interior includes two wine and food benches, a bar/display case, and kitchen. The sliding wall panels that define the gallery area can be rearranged according to use.

Formal name of Project:
Evelyn County Estate Vineyard Restaurant

Location:
Victoria, Australia

Gross square footage:
1,980 sq ft

Owner:
Robyn and Roger Male
PO Box 6
Kangaroo Ground 3097
Tel: 61 3 9437 1668
Fax: 61 3 9437 1232
www.evelyncountyestate.com.au

Architect:
Harmer Architecture Pty Ltd
25 Budd Street
Collingwood Vic 3066 Australia
Tel: 61 3 9416 4466
Fax: 61 3 9415 6011