Astrolabe Wines - Small Town Winery

Astrolabe is a micro-winery located in central Blenheim, New Zealand. It is a fully functional winemaking facility with all of the business's operations taking place under one roof. 

The facility includes; front-of-house wine tasting an eatery open to the public, corporate offices to manage day-to-day operations, grape processing, fermenting and maturation facility with the following features; glass doors providing visitors with a view into the operational area of the winery, Co2-monitored refrigeration systems to maintain optimal conditions for winemaking, a tradewaste dosing system that regulates the pH levels in wastewater to meet council requirements. Finally the facility seamlessly incorporates cultural design elements, including etched motifs on the concrete and balustrades, adding a local cultural narrative. The Ōpaoa River, located nearby, adds a natural and culturally significant element to the project. The concrete etchings throughout the facility reflect this, symbolising ika/inanga swimming through the awa, representing sustenance and abundance for the Rangitāne people. The tāniko-inspired pattern on the staircase honours Te Tapuae o Uenuku, symbolising strength and stability, while the smaller triangles represent whakapapa, connecting Rangitāne ancestors to the land. 

The building was designd with input from owners Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau ensuring a deep cultural connection to the surrounding land.