Written by Gemma Johnstone
Settled by Germans in 1846, Fredericksburg, Texas, still sports a distinctly Bavarian flair. With evidence everywhere, from menus to the architecture, there’s no denying how the city got its start. Drive 15 minutes southwest to Augusta Vin winery, and you’ll find yourself transported somewhere else entirely — perhaps even back in time.
The estate winery, one of several redefining Texas’ Hill Country as wine country, is crafted with a unique Old-World aesthetic that takes root in a hybrid timber-framed clubhouse, provided by Timberlyne. Overlooking 60 acres of vineyards, the two-story structure is a modern interpretation of a cruck frame. This framing style traditionally utilizes long pairs of naturally curving pieces of timber to form A-frames that support the roof structure.
Robert Klodginski, manager of design for Timberlyne, explains that this concept came about because Scott Felder, the owner of Augusta Vin, wanted iconic construction featuring a 50-foot clear span that would draw people in. Having this vast, open space without interior columns or walls would maximize the views and create an airy, welcoming ambiance.
To achieve the ambitious span, the Timberlyne design team needed to get creative, blending traditional and modern design concepts. “Old-World cruck frames would have been 15- to 20-foot spans — large rooms for their day,” Robert says.
The massive arched A-frame was constructed using a combination of natural timber beams and Douglas fir glu-lam — stress-rated, structurally engineered layers of timber.
Another defining feature of the space is the second-story catwalk. Offering additional seating, it allows guests to experience the volume of the space and enjoy elevated views of the vineyards via the second-story patio. There’s also a playful element in the design of the distinctive crisscrossing pattern timbers on the ceiling of the tasting bar below the catwalk.
Whether you want to take a tour, try an immersive table-seated tasting experience or simply grab a glass and enjoy the vineyard views from the outdoor patio, Marketing Manager Jena Kessel explains the goal is for Augusta Vin to be a destination, not just a roadside stop.
“We wanted to offer a premium product in a beautiful place for people to escape to, and I think that’s what we created here,” she says.
