Texas-based architecture studio Clayton Korte has created a private wine cave embedded into a native landscape of Texas, Johnson City in the United States. 

Named Hill Country Wine Cave, the 1,405-square-metre space is located at the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country and this private wine cave acts as a private destination along a secluded bend in the Blanco River.

The space entirely disappears, and only excavated face into the north face of a solid limestone hillside is visible for a visitor. 

"This shotcrete-lined tube is protected on the East and West by tall oak and elm trees, allowing it to nearly disappear within the native landscape," said Clayton Korte.

The front face of the building creates an unexpected exterior entry court that reveals a bit of mystery as it provides just a glimpse of what lies within.  

"Heavy limestone boulders, collected from the excavation, and lush vegetation further camouflage the entry as you descend into the mouth of the cave," the architects added.

A tasting lounge, bar, wine cellar, and restroom are placed into an existing tunnel measuring 18 feet (5 meters) and 70 feet (21 meters) deep.

The architects capped the exterior opening with a board-formed concrete portal that molds to the irregular surfaces of the limestone and structurally retains the mouth of the earth cut. 

"The concrete is meant to patina naturally over time as native moss and ivy clings to the face and climbs onto the flanking limestone walls to further blend the headwall into its surroundings," added the firm.

Inside, the private cellar provides storage for a collection of 4,000 bottles which are kept in an optimum temperature as this area has naturally colder subterranean temperatures. The cellar has also supplemental cooling to help maintain an optimal atmosphere of 55-60 degree.

In the interior, the architects used white oak, both raw and ebonized, mixes with vertical grain Douglas fir to panel the walls and dropped ceilings as a warm contrast to more rugged concrete and stone that surrounds. 

"Custom insulated and thermally broken steel and wood windows provide separation between the interior and exterior, as well as the entertaining lounge and the chilled cellar," the architects added. 

"Reclaimed cedar was salvaged and milled for live-edged countertop surfaces for the tasting bar and the floating restroom vanity."

The wine cellar is placed under the fully arched profile at the back of the cave and it is surrounded by casework providing storage for an ever-expanding private collection of approximately 4,000 bottles.  

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Site plan

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Clayton Korte has formerly been known as Clayton & Little and but it has recently changed its name as Clayton Korte based on a recent change in firm leadership, ownership, and design direction.

The firm previously completed a corten-steel barn that powers its adjacent winery with reclaimed oil field pipes in California. 

Project facts

Project name: Hill Country Wine Cave

Architects: Clayton Korte

Location: Johnson City in the United States. 

Size: 1405m2 

Date: 2019 

Structural Engineer: SSG Structural Engineers

Mechanical Engineer: Positive Energy

Lighting Designer: Studio Lumina

Civil Engineer: Intelligent Engineering

General Contractor: Monday Builders

All images © Casey Dunn

All drawings © Clayton Korte

> via Clayton Korte