Tradition and creativity: The winery that left its mark with stunning design

After designing his home in Beit Yitzhak, Yoram Shalom, the owner of Alexander Winery, decided to entrust Joel Jospe's architecture and interior design firm with the task of redesigning the winery's hospitality area.

The winery, located among pecan trees and vineyards in Beit Yitzhak, is based on a tradition of 180 years and has been operating since 1996.

The unique structure stands out with its inspiring appearance and hosts wine tastings, wine workshops, gastronomic events, and jazz gatherings.

As a boutique winery producing 50,000 bottles a year and combining tradition, art, and creativity, Joel Jospe took on the unique design task to leave a lasting impression.

Jospe explains that the winery's structure was subconsciously designed in terracotta tones—distinct earth colors that skillfully incorporate old brick stones from various sources, combined with generous amounts of raw iron, natural wood, and blends of gray rock seasoned with uncompromising and dominant mustard yellow.

"A brief visit to Porto, Portugal, right after designing the winery, made it clear to me that the winery was designed almost entirely in sync with the wine city’s colors, without me knowing. The brick and mustard hues that stand out in the city's skyline are exactly what these colors do for the winery.

"My love for wine and art combined to highlight the experience of wine tasting and drinking quality wine. Small items were added to create an atmosphere that makes guests reluctant to leave, immersing them in the unique and total atmosphere the winery aims to provide. The space's texture and functionality, along with the artistic expanse, create a unique picture."

For these reasons, the place was uniquely designed, evident right from the wooden stairs leading inside. Even the floor tiles are of varying sizes, designed artfully side by side, with stylish stands for bottles, long tables next to round ones. The winery owner's wife significantly contributed to the table designs, crafting round metal plates with mandala patterns placed atop large barrels, serving as high and impressive tables.

The mustard hue emerging from the walls introduces a warm and inviting atmosphere, highlighting the wine bottles.

Each wall niche was meticulously planned to elegantly display the bottles for easy access. The metal staircase was designed similarly to rails inviting guests to ascend to the second floor.

The special and long "chandeliers" made of medieval-style metal feature elegant wine bottles housing the lights, seamlessly blending with the walls and beams like magic.

The exterior deck flooring was designed and arranged like columns, corresponding with the green expanse below and the vines sprouting all around. Since the stone element was very crucial, it was extensively used along with special Belgian design profiles.

Joel Jospe adds, "As someone who knows Beit Yitzhak well and has designed many homes there, and as a great admirer of fine cuisine and wine, I could envision the design. A tour of the fields near the winery allowed me to see and feel the external appearance simultaneously. The design intertwined materials, colors, and scents of nature and the earth. I managed to combine my artistic side, which thrilled the winery owner so much that he chose to adorn the bottles of the new wine series with labels I painted and matched."