Sustainable Architecture
The production facility and tasting room at Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, WA is not only state of the art, but also features architectural elements designed to lower the environmental impact of making wine.
Features intended to lower the impact of cooling the facility include:
A 27-foot-high, cast in place concrete wall built into the deepest point in the hillside. This effectively takes advantage of the Earth’s lower subsurface temperatures, reducing the amount of energy used to maintain cool environments for barrel and wine library storage.
Deep overhangs reduce solar gain in the summer while allowing sunlight to enter the building in the winter.
Sandwiched between tilt-up concrete walls is a layer of insulation which protects the interior space from both hot and cold weather. The durable surface is also ideal because it is easier to clean and sanitize.
Planting beds and a reflecting pool run along the upstairs balcony. In addition to creating an inviting space to eat and drink, they further reduce direct solar radiation.
Interested in learning more? We offer tours of the Valdemar Estates production facility and tasting room. Reserve an appointment below.