East meets West with quiet presence in the architecture of this winery, named after an ancient legend from the owners’ Chinese heritage. The hospitality building is built on the footprint of an existing residence and mirrored for the tasting facility next to it. The sheltered terrace invites visitors to enjoy panoramic views, stretching from across the SF Bay area to Mt. Diablo without suffering the hot and windy conditions characteristic of the area. A third building contains production facilities.
A basalt plinth wall grounds the structures while banks of clerestory windows separate the roof from the building. Designed to minimize the impact on views from the valley floor, the production facility is sunken, creating direct access to the caves. The living roof steps down to ground level, blurring the line between building and hill, providing natural cooling. A reflecting pool enhances the valley view and a second water feature brings the sound of water into the patio. A 30kw solar energy system provides 100% of the energy needed during non-harvest time operation.
