A project that connects two dreams and two adjacent plots of land in Yokneam Moshava, which share planning and value concepts.Shahar Lulav, owner and partner at the firmSO ArchitectsAlongside Oded Rosenkiar, he was entrusted with the planning of the project, along with architects Eyal Shahar, Nir Taub and Yuval Feiglin from the firm’s team. They worked in collaboration withStudio Dolo, who were responsible for the interior design, and with Rotem Ginon, who were responsible for the landscape planning.Ofri Paz | STANNELSO Architects, founded in 2007 and currently employing about 50 people, deals with a very wide range of projects: museums, public buildings, education, mixed-use projects, urban renewal, residential, commercial and employment, boutique projects, interior design, and more. In this case, they were given two plots of land with an agricultural zone, covering an area of 12 dunams, on which a boutique winery and a professional stable for dressage riding were planned.

The uniqueness of the project stems from the ability to unite two different worlds – the world of sports cycling and the field of wine production – in one space and in one architectural language. Every detail, from the materials to the landscape, was carefully chosen to create a fascinating experience connected to the land and the environment, while maintaining formal simplicity,” explain the planners. When they approach the planning work, the architects say that they are nourished by the story of the project: “It consists of a combination of the program, the context, the requirements and values of the developer, alongside our constant desire to blur boundaries and partitions, to bring people together and create comfortable, functional, intriguing and value-added living environments.”

The project was accompanied by additional content that enriched the unique program and the structure: “The visitor centers at the stable and winery serve not only as observation areas, but as an educational experience and introduction to the world of equestrian sports and local wine. At the stable, visitors can get up close to dressage training, experience the horses in motion, and understand the connection between rider and horse. At the winery, the tour route leads visitors through the winemaking process to the courtyard, and then to the grapevine on the roof – a meaningful experience that invites a combination of flavors, smells, and views.”

Photography | Shai EpsteinThe project is characterized by a modernist style and natural materials such as steel, wood, exposed concrete, wild stone and Corten, with the aim of connecting the buildings to the land and the landscape of Ramot Menashe. An exposed concrete roof was designed above the stable, floating above the stone walls using dark round steel columns. The winery appears as if it is growing out of the ground, with the planted vines climbing the sloping roof of the building. Elements combining steel and wood were incorporated into both buildings – for example, in the gates and the roof of the horse riding arena (ménage). Diverse local vegetation surrounds the buildings, connecting them to the environment and creating areas of shade and comfort for visitors.

Photography | Shai Epstein

The winery was designed as a space that tells a story – not just of wine, but of process, patience and a deep connection to the land. For the design team ofSO ArchitectsThe winery is not an industrial structure in the classic sense, but rather an experiential place that brings together production, culture, and landscape, allowing the visitor to understand how agricultural raw materials are transformed into a product with depth, character, and identity.

The winery’s material language, exposed concrete, steel and Corten, creates a rugged look, one that respects the truth of the material and time. The wood, which appears in interior details and complementary elements, softens the envelope and adds warmth, similar to the way wooden barrels affect the wine itself. The materials were chosen so that they will age respectfully, change over time and create a natural patina that tells the story of the place.

Light plays a central role in the design: precise openings bring in soft, controlled natural light, emphasizing the volumes of the space and the movement of people within it, and creating a continuous dialogue between inside and outside. The landscape is not a “set,” but an active partner—present in the lines of sight, the elevations, and the sense of continuity between the building and the surrounding fields.

Ultimately, the winery operates on several levels simultaneously: it is a professional and meticulous production facility, an experiential visitor center, and an architectural structure that seeks to slow down the pace and invite contemplation. It is a place that respects the winemaking process and translates it into a sensitive, restrained, and place-connected architectural language.

Photography | Chen Tamari

SO Architects, from right to left: Shahar Lulav, Oded Rosenkiar, Eyal Cohen, Nir Taub and Yuval Feiglin.