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Cemintel’s Barestone adds a modern flavour to winery’s rustic aesthetic. Awarded Victoria's Best Tourism Winery three years in a row, Fowles Wine was ready to rejuvenate its cellar door and restaurant to offer visitors a more sophisticated dining experience. However, the area’s favourite winery didn’t want to lose the rustic features that had long charmed visitors.
Through thoughtful design and material selections, including CSR Cemintel’s Barestone, the restaurant perfectly balances the new with the old.
The Fowles family has lived in the Strathbogie Ranges since the gold rush and throughout the generations have boasted farmers, auctioneers and lawyers. Current owner Matt Fowles, his wife Luise, and their team aim to produce wine with character and elegance.
For the new restaurant, Matt worked with freelance interior stylist, Jay Phillips, and Grant Hateley from Hateley Homes to develop a design concept that would seamlessly blend the farm and local heritage assets with modern materials.
A hallway with light-colored walls features framed posters on the left and a wooden directional sign on the right. The sign lists destinations: "Feasting Arbour," "Chook Shed," "Sheep Paddock," and "Courtyard," with triangular directional arrows pointing right.
A minimalist bar area with a wooden ceiling and hanging light bulbs. The wall behind the bar is decorated with animal outlines and a sign reading "DIBBS' BAR." The bar features a large wooden table with stools arranged around it.
“We wanted to create a welcoming environment for all; a space where people can come in their active wear or after the footy for a glass of wine, or they can get dressed up in suits and jackets and have a refined evening,” says Matt.
“Everything from the design through to the menu captures the essence of the Australian landscape, with a modern edge. We incorporated aspects of the region, farm and vineyard into the building using upcycled materials, complemented by bold design surfaces such as Cemintel’s Barestone,” concludes Matt.
Interior stylist, Jay, spearheaded the cellar door’s contemporary design.
“The local landscape is dotted with corrugated iron sheds. We have taken the winery’s iconic farmyard shed and created a beautiful restaurant and cellar door within its shell, without losing the structure’s identity,” says Jay.
“The family aren’t just wine producers, but passionate farmers and hunter-gatherers, so we have shown this story throughout the design,” says Jay.
Cemintel’s Barestone was chosen as a durable, lightweight material that would beautifully contrast against the rustic and warm woodgrain interior features of the original building.
A modern, illuminated building with large glass windows showcasing a stylish interior dining area. The contemporary structure, set against a twilight sky, features a sleek design with clean lines and a spacious, inviting atmosphere.
A minimalist restaurant interior with a wall partially made of light-colored panels and wood. There is a rectangular serving window, through which a chef and the kitchen area can be seen. The floor has a polished, reflective surface. The atmosphere is modern and clean.
“We wanted a rawness that reflects the farm, but a refinement befitting of a winery. Barestone’s natural finish worked perfectly with the rustic farmyard ambiance while also providing a level of sophistication,” says Matt.
Both Jay and Grant were in agreement regarding the use of bold, black rivets to secure the Barestone panels in place.
“We were embracing black hardware and finishes in other parts of the building and knew that the rivets would provide design continuity with their industrial aesthetic, without overpowering the other elements of the interior,” says Grant.
While Barestone is commonly used as an exterior cladding, the decision for its use inside on the project was based on both its form and function.
A modern restaurant interior featuring wooden tables set with glassware and cutlery. The seating includes cushioned benches along a wood-paneled wall with a black metal and glass partition. The concrete floor and light wall add a contemporary touch.
Image of an interior wall at Dibb's Bar, designed with outlines of various livestock, such as cows and pigs, embedded into wooden panels. Warm pendant lights hang from a wooden ceiling, casting a cozy ambiance.
“Durability as well as fitting in with the rustic feel of the farm were the key elements in choosing materials for this design. Barestone was the product that delivered both the aesthetic and performance outcomes needed for the new restaurant,” says Grant.
Barestone’s water resistant and highly durable lightweight concrete panels are easy to install. The natural, contemporary finish doesn’t require painting and has a stain resistant coating applied, perfect for use in a high traffic commercial setting.
“One of the most beneficial aspects of Barestone is the maintenance, or lack thereof; you don’t have to paint it because it is pretreated, so if you get bumps and scrapes you can sand them off, versus having to paint and repaint,” says Grant.
The new design has garnered a wealth of positive feedback from customers, with the winery reporting that business is up fifty percent.
“The design has a warmth and subtlety to it that makes our customers feel at home, and that’s what a family winery is all about. Barestone allowed us to enhance the farms’ best assets to create a unique experience for our customers, friends and family,” concludes Matt.
A modern coffee shop interior with wooden accents and minimalist design. The counter features a striped wooden front, and behind it are shelves with plants and various items. Hanging lights provide a warm ambiance. A vase with flowers decorates the counter.
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