Clare Valley Distillery

The project was recently recognised with a major construction industry award - Master Builder’s Association Builders SA Commercial / Industrial Building up to $5m

Captured by Evan Bailey Photography

Builder: GT Building

Architect: Hank Kaas Looka Design

Specialist joinery, bar and dining tables: Andrew Bartlett

Modern house with a cactus in the front yard, surrounded by desert landscape and trees, under a partly cloudy sky.
Modern house entrance with a pathway, cactus plants on the left, and green plants on the right, under a clear sky.
Modern lounge area with large windows, multiple chairs, a rug, and a view of trees outside.
A minimalistic interior room with a small round table surrounded by wicker chairs, large potted plants, a window seat, and large windows showing an outdoor scene with trees.
Interior of a modern, minimalist room with large window and built-in window seat, featuring a beige rug, a black bench with brown cushion, a black woven chair, and white walls with ceiling lighting.
Modern bar with a light wood counter, two flower arrangements with sunflowers, bottles of alcohol on shelves behind the bar, and large windows letting in natural light.
Modern interior with a wooden reception counter, a vase of flowers, and sunlight casting shadows on the floor, with large windows in the background.
Modern hotel reception desk with floral arrangements and computer monitors, natural light coming through large windows.
A wooden dining table with a vase of sunflowers and white flowers, surrounded by black chairs, in a bright room with large windows.
A modern interior space with wicker chairs and a potted plant near sliding glass doors.
View through window showing a modern outdoor dining area with a wooden table and six black chairs, with a background of a grassy yard, plants, trees, and distant hills under a clear sky.
A modern house with large glass windows reflecting trees outside, surrounded by landscaped plants, and a small tree in front.
Wooden logs stacked in a wooden storage box outside a house with gray exterior walls, near a window and garden plants.
Sunlit modern dining space with black planters, wooden chairs, and hanging spherical pendant lights.
Modern house with a large glass sliding door, outdoor seating area with wicker chairs, surrounded by a well-manicured lawn and tall trees in the background.
Modern building with black vertical slats, metal roof, outdoor seating on patio, green grass, and trees in background.
Modern house with large glass windows, multiple seating areas, and a well-landscaped garden, set against a backdrop of tall trees.
Modern house with large glass windows and wooden exterior, surrounded by landscaped lawn and garden, with tall trees in the background, during dusk.

Client Brief

  1. To interpret and supplement the partially completed design of an earlier interior designer and to work alongside a brilliant Adelaide architect and ensure that the distillery would strongly evoke ‘place’ and represent the uniqueness of the Clare Valley

  2. To create a vast and memorable space that could accommodate; tasting and purchase of the bespoke gins; designated zones for guests to circulate, enjoy the views and unique ambiance of the building; relax with friends in intimate zones internally and externally with additional table seating to ensure guests can enjoy a constantly changing tasting menu provided by local chefs.

  3. The enormous Bespoke Central Bar was integral to the space, practically and conceptually. It provided a unique challenge which we were able to convert to a brilliant opportunity through the involvement of gifted specialists, for the painted copper finish and the joinery in Norfolk Pine.

  4. Re-engage a conversation around the branding and styling for the distillery to ensure a consistent aesthetic story

Outcome

  1. A new Clare Valley landmark with a distinctive sense of ‘place’ and purpose, enjoyed by locals and visitors with equal delight 

  2. A highly functional space which allows daily trading as a distillery as well as capacity for the space to be rented as an event venue 

  3. Two fully engaged and capable clients who enjoyed the process and whose significant involvement was essential to the successful outcome of the project.

  4. An award winning and much visited new Clare Valley icon.