Eloquently fusing vernacular charm with historic resonance, Arcanum Architecture’s redesign of Stewart Cellars in Yountville, California redefines the winery tasting-room typology.
The project unfolds as a grove-framed compound—more curated estate than commercial venue—organized around a central courtyard experience that invites exploration and pause.
Image above by Cesar Rubio Photography.
Rather than proposing a singular monolithic form, Arcanum crafted three distinct pavilions—a tasting room, café, and library/bookstore—arranged with geometric clarity around a majestic heritage oak.
Beyond its spatial role, the gesture highlights a commitment to preserving the natural landscape through site-sensitive design.
The result is a layered sequence of indoor and outdoor experiences that respond to both climate and context.
The façades evoke the quiet dignity of ancient Scottish abbeys, rendered in meticulously hand-laid local stone.
These rugged masonry walls are elegantly juxtaposed with crisply detailed steel-framed glazing and standing-seam metal roofing—marrying the gravity of traditional craft with the precision of contemporary detailing.
Custom-finished cedar siding, evocative of Northern California vernacular, softens the architectural expression and introduces warmth and tactility to the ensemble.
Two internal courtyards subtly divide the programmatic zones while enhancing the sense of openness and flow.
Each functions as an outdoor room—whether for al fresco tastings or quiet reading—blurring the boundaries between architecture and landscape.
Arcanum’s calibrated spatial choreography offers a refined balance between communal gathering and contemplative retreat.
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Natural light and seasonal rhythms are central to the project’s success.
Expanses of glazing and the strategic orientation of the courtyards invite filtered California light into the interiors, while shielding occupants from harsh midday exposure.
As dusk falls, soft landscape lighting washes over stone surfaces and tree canopies, creating a luminous, immersive atmosphere.
The involvement of two arborists during construction speaks to the design team’s environmental sensitivity and long-term stewardship.
Arcanum Architecture is a San Francisco–based design studio known for its refined, context-driven approach to residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.
With a deep respect for historical precedent and craftsmanship, Arcanum seamlessly blends traditional forms with modern sensibilities.
Their work emphasizes material integrity, site responsiveness, and a quiet elegance that endures over time.
Whether restoring a historic estate or designing a contemporary retreat, Arcanum Architecture creates spaces that feel both rooted and elevated.
Architecture by: Arcanum Architecture
Landscape Architecture by: Surface Design Inc.
Contractor: Jim Murphy & Associates
Photography by: Cesar Rubio
