The Hilt

The Barn at Hilt Estate

HILT TO IMPRESS

Two of California’s most acclaimed designers collaborate on the Central Coast’s most beautiful new tasting facility. BY SHEEAN HANLAN

When a winery bears renowned architect Howard J. Backen’s name it’s bound to have a subtle elegance that lets the landscape do all the talking. Designed by Backen and Silvia Nobili of Backen and Gillam Architects, The Hilt’s new tasting room, The Barn at the Hilt Estate, debuted in July on its 3,600-acre Sta. Rita Hills estate.

Billionaire Stan Kroenke acquired the historic Rancho Salsipuedes in 2014 and charged The Hilt winemaker Matt Dees with farming the three vineyards on the property. The culmination of six years of planning and construction, the new hospitality space was built with reclaimed wood from the site’s original 1914 barn.

The Barn is a classic farmhouse that feels much older than it is. Its design re ects the land’s understated heritage and the property’s agriculture, which is in uenced by the coastal winds and ancient marine soils of Santa Barbara County.

Once inside, the rst thing to note about the tasting room is its dramatic cathedral ceiling. Exposed wooden trusses anked by conical-shaped pendant lights extend along the walls, creating a sense of warmth and vastness. Celebrity interior designer Amber Lewis of Los Angeles’ Amber Interiors worked rustic charm into the communal living room by using a brown color palette punctuated by occasional bursts of color—a red stool, a forest green sofa, dried burnt-orange owers—echoing the serenity of the vineyards. Beyond the vintage leather armchairs of the living room, the inviting dining area is equal parts cohesive and mismatched.

In addition to the main gathering area, The Barn offers a professional kitchen, outdoor spaces, and two smaller themed tasting rooms inspired by The Hilt and its sister brand, Jonata, which is located on a nearby estate in Ballard Canyon. Artistic highlights include works by Scottish artist Jack McConville and Los Angeles–based Gwen O’Neil.

Winemaker Dees refers to The Hilt’s wine as “refrigerated sunshine” due to the complex, lively avors produced by the climate of the Central Coast. While The Hilt grows pinot noir and chardonnay, its bespoke tasting experiences also include Jonata’s range of Cabernet Francs, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Syrahs. Guests can also pour a glass of The Hilt’s experimental wines, such as Pét-Nat and Botrytis Chardonnay. Tastings from $50 per person, by appointment only; thehiltestate.com.

“Selling your parents’ home of 42 years can be complicated but Laurie and David made the process as easy as possible from beginning to end, and handled the all of the details with grace and professionalism. I’d hire them again tomorrow!”

-Bill B.