Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/83237
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? WineEast I n May, Black Ankle Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Md., began construction of a new 8,000-square-foot building for barrel storage using straw bales for the walls. Unlike the Three Little Pigs, who had to resort to using bricks to get a solid building to protect themselves from the Big Bad Wolf, the husband and wife team of Ed Boyce and Sarah O'Herron knew that this building would be strong, attractive and reflective of their overall winemaking and lifestyle philosophy. Boyce and O'Herron understand that wine reflects the soil, climate and season where it is grown more than most agricultural products. They readily acknowledge that wanting to explore the way that wines express the unique location where they are grown is what led them initially into wine- growing and winemaking. When it came Huff and puff, but the straw bale barrel storage area at Black Ankle Vineyards won't blow down By Linda Jones McKee A baling needle and twine secure straw bales at Maryland's Black Ankle Vineyards. time to build a tasting room, they realized that their winemaking philosophy could be reflected in the new building by using materials for construction that they had on the farm (rocks, soil, wood and straw.) There are a number of advantages to creating winery buildings out of straw bales. First, it reinforces the concept that the winery is locally based, envi- ronmentally sensitive and interested in sustainability—both for agriculture and for the community. Second, the cost of a straw bale building is remarkably cheap (especially if the winery provides some or all of the labor.) The cost can be as low as $20 per square foot with owner/builder labor and salvaged materials or up to $80 or more per square foot for a building con- structed and customized by a contractor. - SIHA YEAST - Construction Eastern Distributor for Beco Filter Sheets, Siha Yeast, EvOAK Oak Alternatives, Parker-dh Membranes, Chillers, N2 Generators, Zander Air Products 60 WINES & VINES OCTOBER 2012 O AK ALTERNATIVES - BECOPAD - DECAN TERILE FILTRATION - WATER FILTRATIO T E R CENTRIFUGES - S N