Fulldraw Winery / Clayton Korte

Architects: Clayton Korte
Area: 6,972 m²
Year: 2019
Photography: Likeness Studio
Principal in Charge: Brian Korte
Project Architect: Camden Greenlee
Structural Engineering: Buehler Engineering
General Contractor: Rarig Construction, R and P Construction
Electrical Engineer: Thoma Electric, Thoma Engineering
Civil Engineer: Above Grade Engineering, Walsh Engineering
Energy Consultant: In Balance Green Consulting
Planning Consultants: Kirk Consulting
Accessibility Consultant: Access Compliance Consultants Inc.
Refrigeration Engineering: 3C Engineering
Mechanical and Plumbing: 3C Engineering, TEP Engineering
Geotechnical Engineer: Mid Coast Geotechnical
Fire Protection Engineer: Collings and Associates
Lighting Design: FMS Partners in Architectural Lighting
Landscape Architecture: Studio Outside
City: Paso Robles, California
Country: United States

Fulldraw Winery winery complex designed by Clayton Korte in Paso Robles, United States, has expanded winemaking and tasting experiences through a site-responsive design that connects architecture to the vineyard landscape. Completed in 2019, the project includes production, storage, and hospitality facilities arranged to capture daylight, promote natural ventilation, and enhance visitor engagement. Durable materials and passive strategies support Rhone-style wine production while framing curated views of Fulldraw and Booker Vineyards, reinforcing a close relationship between architecture, climate, and craft.

Fulldraw Winery is situated in the Templeton Gap AVA of California’s Central Coast, on a 100-acre vineyard known for its limestone soils and cooling maritime influence. Designed by Clayton Korte, the winery is approached along a winding drive that introduces the landscape before reaching the architecture. The project reflects the vision of owners Connor and Rebecca McMahon, who sought a built environment that aligned with their philosophy of winemaking. The resulting spaces combine regional sensitivity with a refined yet understated character.

The design of Fulldraw Winery is driven by the land—its topography, light, and breeze. We integrated open-air fermentation spaces and night cooling strategies to reduce mechanical reliance and enhance comfort. Sustainability here isn’t an add-on; it’s embedded in how the building breathes and performs.
Interview with Paul Clayton and Brian Korte of Clayton Korte

The 12,620 square foot complex is composed of three main elements: a 6,972 square foot fermentation and barrel-aging building, a 2,170 square foot case storage structure, and a 2,703 square foot covered crush pad that anchors the production core. A hospitality building, positioned at the edge of a small plateau overlooking Fulldraw and Booker Vineyards, expands the program and introduces curated indoor and outdoor tasting areas that deepen the visitor’s relationship with the site.

Two parallel low-profile structures define the hospitality zone. These volumes, used for tasting and administrative purposes, are offset slightly to maintain daylight access and panoramic views. The architectural forms are deliberately restrained, scaled to a human level, and integrated with the natural topography. This approach supports a calm and intentional atmosphere, in keeping with the quiet rhythms of the vineyard.

Material continuity ties the new hospitality building to the original winery. The exterior features painted and weathered steel, burnished concrete masonry, and fiber cement panels selected for their durability. Interior finishes shift toward tactile warmth, using wood, natural stone, and exposed concrete to provide a grounded and sensory environment.

Passive environmental strategies inform both the layout and detailing. Steel framing allows for open-air fermentation zones that support natural cross-ventilation and nighttime cooling. Ample daylight reduces the need for artificial lighting, while a rooftop photovoltaic system reduces reliance on external energy. These measures align with the winery’s sustainability goals while maintaining optimal conditions for small-batch Rhone-style wine production, targeting 10,000 cases annually at full build-out.

The design balances functionality and atmosphere across production and hospitality areas. Repetitive material rhythms and horizontal volumes reduce the perceived scale and reinforce a visual dialogue with the surrounding landscape. The tasting experience becomes a focused moment, pulling guests away from distraction and into the sensory and spatial qualities of the vineyard. Fulldraw Winery integrates architecture, agriculture, and craft through an approach rooted in climate, land, and experience.