d’Arenberg’s Cube follow-up plans longed for Settlers Spirits

The madcap winemaker behind the d’Arenberg Cube is planning a wild new multimillion-dollar tourist destination just a short drive away.

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

A new $8m two-storey cellar door and rooftop bar, from the visionary behind the d’Arenberg Cube, has been proposed for Blewett Springs.

d’Arenberg chief winemaker and viticulturalist Chester Osborn, who purchased Settlers Spirits in 2021, has lodged plans with Onkaparinga Council to develop the 16ha Bamboo Ridge Vineyard site at 170 Whitings Rd.

Sensorial Surfer Spirits – a wine, gin and beer tasting facility – would accommodate more than 500 guests across the two levels and rooftop. While the plans do not include a restaurant, a kitchen will be housed on the ground floor for food served on the rooftop.

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

In its description of the building design, ARM Architecture said it would embody the “experimentation and exploration of the d’Arenberg brand”.

Inspired by the region’s surf and the process of tasting wine (“surfing the synaptic brain waves”), it includes a feature wave structure, and fins.

“The building is wrapped in a static rippling wave,” the architects write. “This wave was then pushed and pulled, modified, and sliced into a finned shading screen.

“The fins importantly provide an articulation to the facade, they break-up the singular form of the building and give it a softer representation. As you approach and move around its exterior, the screen gives the impression of a moving ripple, or shimmer.”

The value of the development is estimated at $7.58m, not including fit-out costs.

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

d’Arenberg produces a number of wines made from Bamboo Ridge Vineyard grapes, including the trophy-winning Sun Surfer Fiano. Viticulture will continue on site, with “a small number of vines to be removed to make room for the building, carparking and a new loop access driveway”.

Production (brewing, distilling and fermentation) will continue to take place at d’Arenberg winery on Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale.

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Artist Impressions of proposed d'Arenberg two-storey tasting room and rooftop bar for Settlers Spirits. Pictures: ARM Architecture Concept Report

Settlers Spirits, which produces gin from grape spirit rather than the more common grain, was purchased by Osborn in June 2021. The company also produces a range of whisky, rum, vodka and flavoured liqueurs, and will soon produce a beer eponymous with the d’Arenberg brand.

Like the now iconic d’Arenberg Cube, the new tasting room will “also excite the senses by exhibiting art”.

Consultation is open until May 3.