Architect: Backen & Gillam Architects
Engineers: MKM & Associates Structural Engineers
Construction: Schmitt + Company
Materials Used: Pearland
California’s Napa Valley is synonymous with wine; there are more than 400 vineyards tucked into its fertile hillsides, and the region draws tourists and wine aficionados in their droves from all over the world each year.
But few of Napa’s wineries have aspirations beyond the art of winemaking itself, which makes Rutherford’s ONEHOPE winery – a winemaking collective that’s raised more than $10 million to date for social causes – both unique and inspiring.
Built during the 2020 pandemic and opened to the public in 2021, ONEHOPE’s new winery is a culmination of the founders’ bold vision. The elegant surroundings and gorgeous wines align perfectly with the expectations of Napa’s privileged clientele, but its ethos is altogether more down to earth – and we were delighted to be involved in its creation.
Using expertise for good
ONEHOPE’s back story is an inspiring tale of people using their expertise as a force for good.
Co-founder Jake Kloberdanz was just 23 when he got the idea for a winery that donates a portion of its profits to good causes. Having worked for famous winery E&J Gallo he knew a little about the industry, and when a close friend was diagnosed with lymphoma, he got the final push he needed to take the plunge.
The business started in 2007 by selling wine out of a truck, and got its first commercial account with a local restaurant that same year – today the truck serves as a landmark, showing visitors where to turn into the winery entrance!
Steady growth followed, with ONEHOPE operating as a collective of individuals who believe in its purpose. 100 members combined to buy the site on which the new winery now stands, but the collective is a 2000-strong group of individuals including athletes, musicians and entrepreneurs, each sharing the ONEHOPE vision and committed to performing 20 acts of philanthropy each year. Furthermore, 10% of the profits from every sale of ONEHOPE’s wines is diverted to charitable causes at home and abroad.
A home for ONEHOPE
In 2021, ONEHOPE realized its long-held dream of opening a dedicated winery on its own land – a home for what is now officially one of the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer wine brands in the US.
Nestled among famous named like Robert Mondavi, Bella Oaks, and Staglin, ONEHOPE was designed by renowned architect Howard Backen and places sustainability front and center. Natural and vernacular materials combined with a low-set, barnlike design allow the building to sit unobtrusively in its environment, while huge windows afford panoramic views over the vineyard and wider landscape.
Wood cladding is used extensively both outside and in the building interior – and it was here that WoodCo was commissioned to help the design team with flooring for the winery’s stunning dining room, which enjoys captivating vistas over the Napa Valley.
Connected to nature
For this expansive, double-height space, the design team wanted to make a bold statement with oversized flooring that would further emphasize the scale of the room and also its connection to the natural world beyond.
We supplied our Pearland planks – an engineered French oak floor with planks that are 18 inches wide and a minimum of 20ft long – to further enhance the feeling of light and space in the dining area, which features a long center table for convivial gatherings and shared wine tasting events.
Selecting this extra-long, extra wide flooring reduces the number of joins across the surface of the floor for a visually streamlined look that showcases the natural wood grain to its full effect, infusing the space with the beauty of natural wood while allowing other design elements – including the full-height display shelving – to shine. As an engineered floor, it offers enhanced resistance to warping caused by moisture, and as with all WoodCo engineered floors, features a wear layer that’s 140% thicker than the NWFA standard, ensuring enhanced refinishability for a longer, more sustainable lifespan.
The creamy blond color of the oak is picked up in the mid-century style furnishings, combining to create a timeless, unfussy feel that’s all about relaxation and community – a true reflection of what ONEHOPE wines are all about.
Looking for custom wood flooring?
We were honored to collaborate on this project and we’re thrilled to see WoodCo flooring looking so beautiful in this truly aspirational setting. If you have an upcoming architectural or interior design project and you’re looking for premium or bespoke wood flooring, we’d be happy to help – contact us today to discuss your vision.
