The new refurbished Visitor Center of Binyamina Winery

Visitor Center Entrance

The Binyamina Winery Visitor Center is housed in a building constructed in 1925 by the Baron de Rothchild as a perfume factory which was later abandoned. The “Hagana” used the building to conceal weapons, and after the establishment of Israel, it turned into the Binyamina Winery Visitor Center, located in the midst of a vineyard region. In August of 2008 the winery was purchased by a group of private investors, owners of the private retail chain “Hatzi Himan”, who saw the winery’s inherent and realizing potential, and who connected with its vision to become a leading winery in the Israeli wine industry.

Condition prior to renovation: On the right – winery store, on the left – function hall

This is a two story building in a total area of about 2500 Sq/M, and it was decided that it will be completely renovated with the acquisition of the winery. The ground floor contains a Visitor Center and a shop which offers a selection of the winery’s products and accompanying products, as well as a function and conference hall for about 150 people. The top floor is divided into two spaces, an additional function hall, and a café-restaurant which includes a covered patio overlooking the landscape of the surrounding vineyards.

Function hall on the ground floor

Covered patio in the coffee shop on the top floor

The goal was to turn the complex into an attractive recreational space for visitors and shoppers. It was decided to give the structure a luxurious, elegant, high-quality and respectable character – worthy of the Binyamina Wines, which won many awards in Israel and around the world. The structure’s history, and the European connections of Baron de Rothchild and the founders of the winery, dictated a classic, heavy and rich look. Use was made with natural and quality materials such as natural wood, dismantled bricks, brass, copper and glass. The on-site display fixtures were especially designed for the display of wines, and later on a version was developed on the same basis for use at various selling points. The space expresses the values of the band at its best. The many advertising and display areas have been allocated for the display of the winery’s wine brands. The long lasting tradition of the place was expressed by artistic elements which adorn the function halls designed on the basis of past photographs of the place in a contemporary rendering. Use was made with the best new technologies in the field and with innovative finishing materials in order to achieve the desired design effect.

Lighting – Various operational considerations dictated the use of changing natural light quantities – Wine is better kept when it is not exposed to light, and therefore on the first floor there are very few openings. The challenge was to create, despite the low number of windows, a sense of natural light that is pleasant to stay in.  In some of the areas decorative windows were designed for this purpose. On the other hand, the top floor contains a maximum quantity of natural light and landscape. The lighting fixtures were especially designed for the area, for each corner respectively, while maintaining a uniform line.

The project included minor structural changes, which consisted mainly of upgrading interior areas, external renovation, design, planning and execution of all internal spaces and display fixtures in the area including the offices and various service areas. The Center was opened to the public in March 2012.

Function hall on the top floor

A counter in the winery store

Designed, planned and executed by: Koren Visual Solutions