Modern Windows and Doors Shape Clean, Minimalist Design at Hark Vineyards

Set against the rolling hills of Earlysville, Hark Vineyards needed a tasting room that could frame the site’s natural beauty while meeting the performance demands of a high-traffic commercial space. The project team pursued a clean, modern aesthetic built around natural light, uninterrupted sightlines and durable materials – requirements that pointed directly to Pella Reserve Contemporary doors paired with Lifestyle Series windows

This project relied heavily on precision: large openings, continuous transom bands, modern black frames and structural alignment across a broad glass façade. The result is a warm, open space that functions as both a hospitality venue and a visual extension of the surrounding vineyard. 

Architects and builders on this project prioritized minimalist profiles and consistent sightlines, especially across the tasting room’s long, south-facing elevation. Reserve Contemporary delivered the geometric control the design required – rectangular frames, narrow stiles and rails, and carefully aligned transoms that visually stretch the room.

Inside, the clean black frames pair with natural wood ceilings, exposed beams and polished concrete floors, reinforcing the warm-modern look the client wanted. Outside, the dark frames offer a striking contrast against the vineyard landscape, creating a confident architectural identity.

For commercial projects where aesthetic consistency and daylighting are non-negotiable, Reserve Contemporary offered the clarity, scale and visual discipline the design called for.

Beyond aesthetics, the project needed windows and doors that could perform under constant use. The tasting room’s large sliding and hinged doors serve as primary guest pathways, which meant the team needed durable materials, smooth operation and long-term reliability.

Why Reserve Contemporary doors mattered on a project like this:

• Aluminum-clad exteriors resist UV exposure, moisture, and continuous guest traffic.
• Premium wood interiors provide a refined finish appropriate for public-facing spaces.
• Dual-pane Low-E glass supports energy management in a building with significant solar exposure.

The Lifestyle Series windows used throughout the space complement the doors with strong thermal performance and customizable grille-less profiles that align with the contemporary design intent.

Commercial new construction often demands tighter tolerances than residential work, and this project was no exception. With walls of glass, clerestory windows and multiple door units stitched together, the installation team had to maintain exact alignment across large spans.

Key installation considerations included:

• Ensuring structural support for continuous transom runs across the main dining hall
• Maintaining straight, level reveals for long banks of glass
• Integrating the doors seamlessly with the covered outdoor patio

Because Reserve Contemporary allows for precise sizing and factory-built alignment, the team could maintain visual continuity without field modifications – reducing risk and helping keep the project timeline on track.

For commercial developers, lifecycle value is often as important as the design itself. The materials chosen for Hark Vineyards help ensure lower maintenance demands and long-term performance:

• Aluminum cladding protects against weathering and reduces repainting cycles
• Sturdy hardware withstands the wear of public traffic
• Wood window frames maintain thermal stability
• High-performance glass supports temperature control in a wide-open floor plan

The architecture relies on expansive glazing, so selecting materials that resist warping, fading and mechanical strain was essential.

The finished tasting room delivers exactly what the client and design team envisioned: a welcoming, modern space that stays visually connected to the vineyard. The combination of Reserve Contemporary doors and Lifestyle windows supports the architecture on every level – performance, durability, scale and aesthetic clarity.

For architects, builders and commercial owners seeking solutions for minimalist or glass-forward buildings, this project illustrates the versatility and precision of Pella’s commercial product offerings.