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In the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley wine country, L'Angolo Estate has emerged as a testament to thoughtful design, seamlessly blending winemaking philosophy with innovative architecture. Just west of Newberg, nestled within the north Dundee Hills on a 23-acre vineyard, this family-owned winery has captured attention with its stunning new tasting room, a structure not merely built, but crafted to be a direct expression of its Oregon roots.
Completed in 2016, the 2,200 square foot facility stands as a shining example of mass timber construction and modern design principles. Its story is not just about a building, but about a philosophy, echoing the broader trend in Pacific Northwest architecture to re-embrace the region's rich timber heritage.
At the core of L'Angolo Estate's identity is a profound commitment to authenticity. Winemaker and owner, Chase Renton, articulates this ethos clearly: "We make and grow everything ourselves and we don’t buy or sell any fruit," highlighting a hands-on approach that extends from the vineyard to the bottle. This dedication to unembellished, direct expression of the Oregon soils and climate was the guiding principle for the tasting room's design. As Renton shared, the shared goal with the architects was to "replicate the wine" itself. "We aimed for simplicity and for natural beauty. Just like our wine, we wanted the tasting room to be elegant without being too grandiose," he explains, a sentiment that resonates through every element of the new structure. It was paramount, Renton adds, for them to "know the people who walk through our doors," ensuring that "those who visit will get the best hospitality" within this carefully conceived space.” - PDX Monthly
LEVER Architecture, the acclaimed firm behind the design, took this philosophy to heart, creating a structure that is both sophisticated and deeply connected to its environment. The design was inspired by the broad, canopied native Oregon oak trees that dot the valley, and also drew cues from traditional pole barns and other vernacular structures found in the Willamette Valley, anchoring it firmly in its regional context. This blend of natural inspiration and local architectural precedent creates a design that is both innovative and intimately familiar.
The defining characteristic of the L'Angolo Estate tasting room is its innovative use of timber, a material choice that positions it squarely on the "timber train" of contemporary Pacific Northwest architecture. The space is literally "bathed in light and redolent of Oregon timber," creating an immediate sensory connection for visitors upon entry. This isn't just any timber; it features Oregon-milled Douglas fir ceilings, sourced from a mill in Drain, Oregon, signifying a commitment to regional resources and craftsmanship. The exterior is clad in durable Western red cedar siding and sleek dark anodized aluminum, forming a refined yet robust material palette that speaks to both natural beauty and modern elegance. A concrete bar grounds the interior, providing a striking, cool contrast to the warmth of the wood, further enhancing the material dialogue within the space.
What truly sets this project apart in the realm of mass timber construction is its unique structural approach. LEVER Architecture implemented an "inverted roof structure," a clever design where "glulam joists are hung from hidden steel beams within the roof cavity." This ingenious technique allows for the dramatic effect of "floating timber roof planes," giving the impression of lightness and expanse, defying the inherent mass of the material itself. The project incorporates 86 glulam beams, each meticulously hung from a concealed steel structure. To achieve this precise and visually striking design, the team collaborated closely with fabricators, refining a "commodity glulam product into an iconic expression for the winery" and ensuring the exact beam specifications were met for this ambitious vision.
Beyond its structural ingenuity, the tasting room's design fosters an intimate connection with the surrounding vineyard and valley. Two cantilevered roof structures interlock at the point of arrival, creating a welcoming and expansive entry that immediately draws the eye towards the breathtaking landscape. How does one truly experience the terroir of a wine without feeling the very air from which its grapes draw life? The architects answered this by thoughtfully opening the public space to the north, south, and east, utilizing a structural wood glazing system that frames the panoramic views of the vineyard and the expansive Oregon sky.
This connection isn't merely visual; it's profoundly functional and experiential. Two large sliding doors, centrally positioned at the tasting room bar, seamlessly merge the indoor and outdoor spaces, effectively bringing the vineyard into the heart of the building. These expansive doors, along with upper clerestory windows, are integral to the building's environmental strategy, serving as a highly effective passive cooling system during warmer summer months. This thoughtful integration of natural ventilation underscores the winery's commitment to reflecting the climate without embellishment, allowing the building to breathe with its surroundings.
L'Angolo Estate’s commitment to its environment extends to its operational sustainability, marking another significant aspect of this mass timber construction project. The building has been designed with future environmental goals in mind & forward-thinking practices that align with the broader green building movement.
"The award-winning architecture of our tasting room creates an atmosphere of understated elegance that perfectly complements our wine experience. When guests walk into this space, they immediately feel the harmony between our modern design and the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley. The warm wood elements and clean lines enhance our wines, creating an environment where visitors can truly appreciate both the craftsmanship in our bottles and the thoughtful design that surrounds them. It's remarkable how the architecture itself has become part of our brand story, drawing guests who appreciate exceptional wine and exceptional design." - Galen Hagerty, VP of Sales for L'Angolo Estate
Thomas Robinson, FAIA from LEVER Architecture, Galen Hagerty from L'Angolo Estate Winery, James Leasure, 2025 PDX Modern Home Tour Producer seen above talking to guests.
The innovative design and successful execution of the L'Angolo Estate tasting room have garnered significant recognition within the architectural and design communities, cementing its status as a notable achievement in mass timber construction. The project has received numerous accolades, including a prestigious Merit Award from AIA Portland, a Special Mention at the Architizer A+ Awards, and was a Finalist for the Gray Awards. Furthermore, WoodWorks, a leading advocate for wood products in construction, honored the project with a Regional Excellence Award in 2018, underscoring its contribution to excellence in wood building design. Its striking aesthetics and thoughtful integration with the landscape have also led to features in prominent publications such as Sunset Magazine (specifically in its 2022 Wine Issue), Dezeen, and Dwell, reaching a wide audience interested in architectural innovation and wine country experiences.
The L'Angolo Estate tasting room stands as a compelling case study for Mass Timber Construction, demonstrating how architecture can profoundly express a brand's core values while pushing the boundaries of design. By leveraging the natural beauty and structural capabilities of Oregon-milled timber, LEVER Architecture has created a space that is both a "perfect expression of the soil and the wine," as described by Chase Renton, and a destination that offers visitors an authentic, immersive, and elegantly simple wine tasting experience, truly rooted in the spirit of the Willamette Valley.
Candra's Editor Note: Being 1 hour away from Portland is nice when you get Portland Modern Home Tour Tickets from James Leasure and then walk around until you get a chance to see Willamette Valley Winery scenes to cap the night. This was a chance to soak in the Oregon timber scene with wonderful wine and people. I was taken aback by the architecture and class of this estate. Seeing everyone felt warm and welcoming and I did not want to go home, yet. Writing this gave me a way to preserve the moment and share it with you!
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