Winery and Beverage

Project Details

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 and grape processing.

Its fermenting and maturation facility includes glass doors providing visitors with a view into the operational area of the winery, Co₂-monitored refrigeration systems to maintain optimal conditions for winemaking and a tradewaste dosing system that regulates the pH levels in wastewater to meet council requirements.

The facility was designed with input from owners Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau to ensure a deep cultural connection to the surrounding land. The result is a seamless integration of cultural design elements such etched motifs on the concrete and balustrades. The motifs symbolise ika/inanga swimming through the awa—a representation of 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.