Two Winemakers Build a Compact, Fire-Resistant Home With an Earthy Palette

In Healdsburg, California, a couple hire Matthew David Bowles to create a resilient vineyard house with a ground-floor tasting room.

Two Winemakers Build a Compact, Fire-Resistant Home With an Earthy Palette

In Healdsburg, California, a couple hire Matthew David Bowles to create a resilient vineyard house with a ground-floor tasting room.

The mid-section of the siding was done in a shou-sugi ban method. Custom brass was used for the awning, alongside a standing-seam metal roof.

Jill and Mike Lucia have a deep appreciation for Northern California’s land. As the owners of the Rootdown and Cole Ranch wine labels, the couple pay close attention to region’s fickle fog, sun-dappled hills, and ocean air. "Mike is a winemaker, and his philosophy is to let the wines lead with earth and texture, rather than just with fruit," says architect Matthew David Bowles. "His style is decidedly hands-off, which allows the grape and the specific terrain to speak for itself." 

Evan Schivley of Arborica milled a custom board-and-batten shape for the home, which is cladded in reclaimed Monterrey cyprus.

Evan Schivley of Arborica milled reclaimed Monterey cypress to create a the home’s custom board-and-batten facade. 

Photo by Matthew David Bowles

The mid-section of the siding was done in a shou-sugi ban method. Custom brass was used for the awning, alongside a standing-seam metal roof.

The home’s midsection is clad in charred shou sugi ban timber. The custom awning is made from brass, and the roof is standing-seam metal. 

Photo by Matthew David Bowles

Jill owns a namesake interior design studio, and she was already close friends with Bowles and architectural designer Erik Kramer when she and her husband came across an established property in the foothills of Healdsburg in 2021. They were ready to start a family, and this home seemed like it had the potential to blend their love of the area with their future plans. 

Cement plaster was used on the base of the exterior, with double-paned windows throughout.

The home’s base is made of cement plaster, and all of the windows are double paned. 

Photo by Matthew David Bowles

See the full story on Dwell.com: Two Winemakers Build a Compact, Fire-Resistant Home With an Earthy Palette
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