To create a successful winery, it’s not enough to have perfect grapes. The quality of the wine is essential, but the design and spaces dedicated to hospitality play an equally crucial role. An excellent wine may attract connoisseurs, but it’s the overall experience that makes a winery visit memorable.
This is according to a recent article in The Globe and Mail, a renowned Canadian publication.
“The quality of the wine is indispensable, but the context in which it is tasted makes the experience truly meaningful,” says Bachelder, founder of Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, in the Niagara Peninsula.
Wineries are not just production sites; they are also places of industrial operations, storage facilities, retail points, and now more than ever, tourist attractions.
The importance of design in wine tourism
A key aspect of a winery’s success is the design of the facility. It must not only be functional for wine production but also welcoming and engaging for visitors. Wineries need to convey the story and passion behind the wine, creating an environment that doesn’t feel like a factory but rather a place of charm and discovery.
Today’s wineries entering the wine tourism world must, however, contend with a sector already populated.
The example of Canadian wineries
The Canadian wine industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with wineries striving to outdo each other in terms of design and attractiveness. The Niagara wine region, for example, continues to attract a growing number of visitors, aiming to reach three million by 2030. With new wineries under construction and ambitious projects, the Canadian wine industry is booming.
Competition drives producers to collaborate with leading designers and architects to create unique and memorable experiences for visitors. However, a large initial investment is not always necessary; often, one can enhance what already exists on their property.
In short, creating a successful winery requires a combination of wine quality, thoughtful design, and an engaging experience. Wine producers will increasingly need to find a balance between imagination and practicality for their sites: facilities that amaze but can also manage parking, deliveries, and the seemingly endless flow of pipes and conduits necessary for all stages of wine production.
