Lawrence Wine Estates introduces hospitality space that brings conscious luxury to life, ushering in New Napa experience centered around nature
NAPA VALLEY, June 13, 2023 — This week, Burgess officially opens its tasting room doors on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. A historic estate that embodies authenticity and regenerative farming, Burgess is a winery built for the future, but made from the past. The tasting room is designed to reflect the brand’s evolution, creating a symbiotic experience with the vineyard’s narrative.
Environmentally progressive in nature, Burgess crafts wines of elegance and finesse that honor its roots in Napa Valley and reflect a diverse range of regenerative terroirs, including a pedigree of single vineyards that date to the 1800s. Guests who visit the Estate will explore Napa Valley’s first promiscuously farmed vineyard, savor the bounties of the edible tea and pollinator gardens, and taste coveted wine.
The new hospitality space is located at the Oak Knoll District site purchased by Lawrence Wine Estates in 2021 after the historic Burgess estate in Howell Mountain was lost to the Glass Fire in 2020.
“At Burgess, we believe nature can be part of a luxury experience and our new tasting space expresses the intersection of these two worlds,” says CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates, Carlton McCoy, Jr. “Our vision is to transport guests into a calm, serene setting where wine can be explored at the pace of nature, away from the hustle and bustle typical of Napa Valley.”
Designed by James Beard Award Winning Amy Morris of The Morris Project, the space embodies conscious luxury with light and airy spaces that highlight the connection to nature and encourages dialogue around the wine. Defined by a heightened sense of welcome and relaxation, distinct spaces allow guests to immerse themselves in a contemporary tasting room experience.
The Living Room hosts six elegant seating areas, eschewing the quiet, overbearing tasting rooms of the past for spaces filled with vibrancy and warmth as the heart of the space’s interior. Centered around a beautiful fireplace and an expertly curated art collection, this space invites relaxation, conversation, and intrigue.
“As a designer, conscious luxury is not only defined by keeping an eye on sustainability but also by creating spaces that foster community,” said Morris. “In doing so you break down the often complex, intimidating world of wine, something Carlton does so well.”
The Founders Room, designed in the style of a vintage library, is accessed through an unassuming shelf that doubles as an entryway. The space honors the founding Swiss Italian families who planted the Sorenson Vineyard and winery founder Tom Burgess. Inside, guests are transported to a pre-prohibition era, surrounded in old vintages, historical photos, curated artwork, and music of the era.
Provencal, charming and rustically refined, outdoor gardens invite guests to sip wine under the shade of olive trees while also interacting with the surrounding environment, from the Burgundian-inspired Paisseaux style vineyard block next to the winery to the gardens, orchards, and animals on-site. The Tower is a private space overlooking the valley and offers a bird’s eye view of the Estate. The veranda and tower spaces make way for panoramic views and conversation through community.
“We are focused on creating a regenerative farming system that mimics nature instead of trying to compete with or overpower it,” says Burgess Winemaker Meghan Zobeck. “I am inspired by this space, designed to intentionally connect guests with our vineyard and surrounding environment.”
Carlton McCoy Jr. and The Morris Project carefully curated the Estate’s art collection from a diverse group of female artists. Commissioned pieces work to connect to the essence of Burgess, the regenerative practices, and the richness of the land.
Flagship wines include the Burgess Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon and Burgess Sorenson’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The La Terre tasting experience is $120 per person for 1-8 guests, lasting 90 minutes. The Burgess tasting room, located at 2921 Silverado Trail, Napa, will be open daily from 10:00am-4:00pm by reservation only, which can be made via Tock. For more information on site capabilities, options, and offerings, email concierge@burgesscellars.com.
About Burgess
Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family in 2020. Since its inception, Cabernet Sauvignon has been the flagship variety, though the brand has since expanded its portfolio to include Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Chardonnay wines. For more information, visit www.burgesscellars.com or Instagram @burgesscellar.
About Lawrence Wine Estates
Lawrence Wine Estates supports a growing collection of wine estates in Napa Valley and France. The collection includes Heitz Cellar, Haynes, Burgess, Ink Grade, Brendel, Stony Hill Vineyards, and Château Lascombes in Bordeaux – all wineries with a deep legacy that are anchored by distinct estate vineyards. Lawrence Wine Estates is led by Master Sommelier and Chief Executive Officer Carlton McCoy, Jr. All the estate wineries honor traditional winemaking philosophies and prioritize biodynamic farming techniques to create pure and balanced wines of the highest quality.
About The Morris Project
The Morris Project is a James Beard Award-winning design firm known for its work in hospitality design, branding and strategy. Founder and creative director Amy Morris is known for her influence over New York restaurant design and ushering in a new era of light airy cafes in the twenty tens, after being influenced by time in Australia. Notable clientele includes Union Square Hospitality, Google, Whole Foods, sweetgreen, 22 Bishopsgate London, Chef James Lowe, Richard Branson and The Plaza Hotel. Projects by the firm have been covered in the New York Times, New York Magazine, Bon Appétit, Elle Décor, and Dezeen among other publications. For more information visit themorrisproject.com.
