Los Milics Winery Stands as a Modern Stonehenge in Vineyard Architecture

Header: Dan Ryan

The Los Milics Winery Tasting Room, a remarkable design by Chen + Suchart Studio, recently took home a prestigious award at the 2024 BLT Built Design Awards for Best Architectural Design in Hospitality.

Situated amid the rolling grasslands and vineyards at the base of Southern Arizona’s Mustang Mountains, this award-winning project offers visitors an immersive wine-tasting experience that combines architecture with nature.

Led by Chen + Suchart Studio, the project was developed in collaboration with Mills Design Group, and the award-winning design team included Matt O’Bright and Sherwood Wang. 

The tasting room embodies a minimalist approach that transforms the landscape into a living work of art. Drawing comparisons to a modern Stonehenge, 20-foot weathered steel panels create a sculptural perimeter that visually links the winery to its surroundings. These monolithic panels dramatically change appearance with shifting light and seasons, underscoring the structure’s connection to the terrain. The entire design reflects a dedication to harmony between architecture and nature.

Honoring the landscape

The journey through these steel panels leads to a glass-enclosed 3,400-square-foot tasting room designed to frame sweeping views of the Mustang Mountains. With a minimalist interior by designer Vivian Ullman, the tasting room includes a large bar, flexible seating arrangements, and a private tasting room. This setup allows for both large gatherings and intimate experiences, while the dark-toned, walnut-detailed decor focuses on the breathtaking landscape outside. Floor-to-ceiling telescoping glass walls connect the indoor space to a covered patio, inviting guests to take in Arizona’s iconic “Biscuit” mountain peak.

Founded by Pavle Milic and Mo Garfinkle, Los Milics Winery has grown from a small wine label to a full-scale vineyard, cultivating a wide range of grape varietals. Milic and Garfinkle collaborated closely with Chen + Suchart Studio to create a space that honors the landscape while advancing Arizona’s reputation as a premier wine destination.

A complete vineyard experience

As a further enhancement to the guest experience, Los Milics Winery also offers nine “casitas” for overnight stays, inviting visitors to immerse themselves fully in the serene landscape of the Mustang Mountains. This complete experience of architecture, nature, and hospitality sets a high standard for wineries worldwide. 

As a winner of the BLT Built Design Award, the Los Milics Winery Tasting Room stands as a testament to the evolving relationship between modern architecture and its environment. With stunning photography by Dan Ryan, the project captures a moment of architectural reverence for the unspoiled Arizona landscape, blending structure with the horizon and inviting visitors into a space where every view is framed as a natural work of art.

Project info