Comprising some 5200 square feet in its initial stage, the Burning Kiln Winery is a good example of energy conservation through adaptive reuse. Changes in agriculture mean that many farm buildings are disappearing from our landscape. Our emerging facility involves the patient metamorphosis of a deteriorating agricultural building in to a modern, state of the art winery. This project embraces the heritage and practicality of the original building, while focusing solidly on the future. From the outset, our goal was to assess this old structure to see what could be preserved, what needed upgrading, and what could be integrated into the new winery building. Our goal was to enhance tried and true bones of the structure and allow them to shine. Carefully determined alterations and additions transformed this “experienced†barn into our current facility while considering possibilities for future expansion. The master plan foresees the build-out of this facility, through subsequent stages, to a multi-use complex- quadruple the current size.
From the outset, the goal was to assess this old structure to see what was worth saving, what needed upgrading, and what could be integrated into the new winery building. The old building had some charm, and that was preserved, enhanced and allowed to shine through.
Changes to the exterior of the building played down the iconic look of the barn in order to invoke an image of a progressive, high quality winery. The interior, however, maintains and expresses the warmth of the wood and the drama of the trusses of the original agri-building. The structural bays were maintained and reinforced by new structure, walls, lighting layout and placement of the striking stainless steel production tanks and dramatic wood casks. The new energy efficient LED up-lighting washes the underside of the existing roof structure beautifully highlighting and enhancing the look of the lofty interior.
The winery is located on the north shore of Lake Erie, referred to as 'Ontario's South Coast'. The site of the winery is ideally suited to enjoying the property. It is on a rise close to a pond. This favorable location affords inspiring views from the winery both over the lush countryside, the new vineyards stretching out to adjoining forests and towards the magical sweep of Long Point out in sparkling Lake Erie. All in all, an idyllic picture to behold.
