Cambria Estate Winery in Santa Maria

Architect: Omni Design Inc.

Photography: Kori Kristine Photography

When it came time for Cambria Estate Winery to renovate its tasting room and winemaking facility, the goal was to reflect the brand’s sensibilities within an airy, clean, and organic space. Cambria’s all-female leadership team— winemaker Jill Russell, co-founder Barbara Banke, co-owners Katherine Jackson and Julia Jackson, and general manager Denise Shurtleff—also wanted a setting that would allow guests to experience a fresh side of Cambria, where the wine and the people shine as the focal points.

Omni Design has created just that. Omni has been immersed in the Cambria project since 2018, and expanding upon its earlier work, reimagined the winery’s façade and patio to create a strong statement from the outset. The winery’s smooth white stucco exterior is punctuated with black-framed glass doors and windows, architectural pop outs, and sleek modern gazebos. The new concrete patio is edged with dark aluminum panels laser-cut in a flowing dot pattern; the same laser-cut panels adorn the winery’s monumental barn door. The project also includes accessible parking and walkways, and drought-resistant landscaping.

Cambria Winery lies in the middle of Cambria Estates Vineyards on a 1,600-acre vineyard and ranch at the northern tip of Santa Barbara County. Russell crafts award-winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rhône variety wines from the estate’s sustainably grown fruit, and in 2020, Cambria was named a Top 100 Winery by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Now it has an expansive tasting room with a patio that lets visitors take in the magnificent Santa Maria Valley, and that pairs well with Cambria’s ambitions and values.