Aperture Cellars: Wine, Art, and Architecture

Aperture Cellars Hospitality Space photo by Erik Castro

COUPAR'S client Grassi & Associates recently completed construction on Aperture Cellars situated in Healdsburg, California. The brainchild of youthful, wine professional, Jesse Katz, the compound provides a unique visual experience. Katz grew up surrounded by the work of his father, renowned photographer Andy Katz. He wanted his new Hospitality Space and Production Building to reflect both wine and art. After interviewing many architects, Katz settled on Juancarlos Fernandez from Sonoma based Signum Architecture. 

Aperture Cellars Hospitality Space Interior

Mexican born Fernandez finds inspiration in the modernist work of fellow countryman Luis Barragán.  He designed the Aperture Cellars Hospitality Space around a ceiling feature emulating a hexagonal camera lens when it opens and closes.  From the center of the building, six spaces radiate out to accommodate tasting rooms, kitchen, and restrooms.  Charcoal and white surfaces echo the colors of camera equipment and allow for vivid art shows in the central chamber. Floor to ceiling windows provides breathtaking views of the century-old vineyard and Russian River beyond.  

Aperture Cellars Winery Production Building

When it came to fabricating Aperture Cellars, Grassi & Associates was a natural choice to partner with Signum Architecture. Fernandez and Grassi have collaborated on many buildings, including the renowned wineries CADE, Brasswood, and  Odette Estate, along with impressive commercial and residential projects. Now they can add the spectacular Aperture Cellars to their shared portfolios. During the current Sonoma Shelter at Home order, Aperture is now accepting outdoor reservations and offering at-home virtual tastings.

Juancarlos Fernandez’s original sketches for Aperture Cellars