Elk Creek Vineyards | 2.20.10

Vineyard

spiral staircase up to offices

second floor gallery space w/ tables, looks down into tasting bar

doors leading to production area

stairs leading up to second level, retail/restaurant space beyond

The day after visiting Kinkead Ridge and Meranda-Nixon Wineries in Ohio, we headed south to Elk Creek Vineyards in Owenton, KY to compare this much larger operation to the smaller wineries. Other than the size, the big difference between the wineries is the initial focus--the 2 smaller wineries in Ohio started with developing their vineyards before they began making wine (predominantly from their own grapes), while Elk Creek started with making wine from imported grapes, then began growing their own grapes. The winery at Elk Creek is massive comparatively, housing the winemaking production area, along with a 3-story atrium-like space used for tasting, eating, office space, retail, gallery space, music venue, and an outdoor patio space.

The woman working the tasting bar was kind enough to give my dad and me a tour of the winemaking facility. You enter through huge wooden and glass doors onto concrete floors, walking between rows of large french oak barrels. The adjacent area is where the bottling takes place, as well as where dry goods are stored along with 1000+ gallon tanks used for aging. The next area is much cooler--almost like a big garage--where the fermentation tanks are stored along with the press and crusher for when the grapes come in, either on a truck or from the vineyard. The design of the production made sense and seemed like it would flow quite well--

crush pad-->fermentation-->barrels/tanks(aging)-->bottling-->storage/retail

Outside of the production area the floor treatment changes to hardwood, large picture windows allow views out to the vineyard and patio space, and oversized wooden beams give the area an elegant, sophisticated feel. A small retail space stands to the right of the front doors, next to the counter where you can order soup, sandwiches, or salad (the food was similar to Panera but better!). The tasting bar is located right in the middle of the first floor, with access from all 4 sides, allowing several guests to be served simultaneously. Behind the tasting bar are tables and chairs where you can sit down and enjoy your meal, along with wine racks lining the walls featuring all the wines made at Elk Creek. There is also a large fireplace and couches so guests can sit and sip on a glass of wine. The second floor serves as a gallery space, but also has a few tables if the first floor fills up. The third floor is office space for the winery; it is accessed by a spiral staircase on the second floor--a beautiful, easily controlled entry point.

Overall, Elk Creek is what you think of when you think "winery." Possibly a bit overdone, but closer to the aesthetic qualities we are trying to achieve with this winery design.