Fulldraw Winery by Clayton Korte: A Masterpiece of Sustainable Winemaking Architecture
Location: Paso Robles, California, United States
Architects: Clayton Korte
Year Completed: 2019
Area: 6,972 m² (75,000 sq ft)
Photography: Likeness Studio
Nestled in the heart of California’s Templeton Gap AVA, the Fulldraw Winery stands as a testament to harmonious architecture, sustainable winemaking, and immersive visitor experiences. Designed by Clayton Korte, this 2019-completed winery complex seamlessly blends production efficiency, hospitality, and environmental sensitivity, creating a space that celebrates the terroir of Paso Robles.
Owners Connor and Rebecca McMahon envisioned a winery that mirrored their philosophy of Rhône-style winemaking—where architecture, climate, and craft intersect. The result? A 12,620-square-foot complex that balances functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability while offering breathtaking views of Fulldraw and Booker Vineyards.
Architectural Design & Site Integration
A Site-Responsive Layout
The winery’s design is deeply rooted in its 100-acre vineyard setting, characterized by limestone-rich soils and a cooling maritime influence. Approached via a winding drive, the architecture reveals itself gradually, ensuring visitors first connect with the landscape before encountering the built environment.
Key Structures & Functional Zones
The complex comprises three primary structures:
- Fermentation & Barrel-Aging Building (6,972 sq ft) – The heart of production, featuring open-air fermentation zones.
- Case Storage Structure (2,170 sq ft) – Designed for optimal wine preservation.
- Covered Crush Pad (2,703 sq ft) – Anchors the production core with efficiency.
A hospitality building, perched on a plateau, introduces indoor and outdoor tasting areas, deepening the visitor’s connection to the vineyard.
Materiality & Aesthetic Sensibility
Clayton Korte’s design emphasizes durability and regional authenticity:
- Exterior: Painted/weathered steel, burnished concrete masonry, fiber cement panels.
- Interior: Warm wood, natural stone, exposed concrete—creating a sensory, grounded experience.
The low-profile structures maintain human-scale proportions, reinforcing a calm, intentional atmosphere that mirrors the vineyard’s rhythm.
Sustainability & Passive Environmental Strategies
Energy Efficiency & Natural Comfort
- Natural Ventilation: Steel framing allows cross-ventilation, reducing mechanical cooling needs.
- Daylight Optimization: Ample glazing minimizes artificial lighting.
- Solar Power: A rooftop photovoltaic system cuts energy dependence.
Climate-Responsive Winemaking
The design supports small-batch Rhône-style production (targeting 10,000 cases annually) by maintaining ideal temperature and humidity through passive strategies.
Visitor Experience: Blending Function & Atmosphere
Tasting Spaces Designed for Engagement
Two parallel, offset structures house tasting and administrative areas, ensuring uninterrupted vineyard views. The restrained architectural forms reduce visual clutter, immersing guests in the landscape’s sensory richness.
A Journey Through Wine & Terroir
From the crush pad to the barrel room, each space is choreographed to tell the story of Fulldraw’s winemaking philosophy. The tasting experience becomes a focused, meditative moment, free from distraction.
Collaborative Expertise Behind the Project
- Principal in Charge: Brian Korte
- Project Architect: Camden Greenlee
- Structural Engineering: Buehler Engineering
- General Contractor: Rarig Construction, R and P Construction
- Landscape Architecture: Studio Outside
- Sustainability Consultants: In Balance Green Consulting
Conclusion: Where Architecture Meets Agriculture
Fulldraw Winery is more than a production facility—it’s a celebration of Paso Robles’ terroir, a model of sustainable design, and a testament to Clayton Korte’s architectural vision. By integrating passive strategies, durable materials, and immersive hospitality spaces, the winery sets a new benchmark for vineyard architecture.
For those seeking wineries with architectural significance or sustainable design in California, Fulldraw Winery is a must-visit destination.
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