Case Study

Who: Stoller Family Estate

Where: Dayton, OR

What: A new tasting room at Stoller Family Estate featuring high-end projection, robust audio system, LED video walls, and custom Crestron panels to control them all.

 

Stoller Vineyards remodeled their tasting room to include a state-of-the-art AV system highlighting live streamed HD cameras, large format LED video walls, high-end audio and a social media wall for visitors to share their experience with a large audience. Popular public events like live music and Sunday football viewings would also be hosted in the space. In collaboration with a consultant from Downstream, my company and I ensured that the Crestron system could efficiently handle the desired functionalities while aligning with the Stoller brand.

 

Downstream provided a statement of work that detailed the expectations of the technology in the tasting room. Notably, LED displays behind the bars would offer real-time views of the vineyard, allowing staff to switch between various outside views or other video sources. Additionally, Downstream provided a style guide so that I could incorporate Stoller design elements into the control panels’ GUI.

 

The primary users of the control panels would be the tasting room’s day-to-day staff. Given their busy workload attending to customers, the goal was to automate the space as much as possible using the Crestron system. System preset configurations, such as video and audio routing, were scheduled to activate or deactivate at specific times of the day. Staff would still be able to operate the lights or adjust volume levels or override the presets when necessary. Designated staff, known as the power-operator, received training to set and schedule the presets, matrix route video and audio, and manage projectors. 

 

Knowing that the panels would be in high-traffic, public-facing areas, I prioritized branding first. The logo would be prominently shown on the panels rather than relegated to a corner or cover screen. Instead of the typical sleek, contemporary appearance, the panels evoked a sense of vintage charm, reminiscent of an old-world ambiance often linked with wine.

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Having gathered all the information about users and style, I also reviewed engineering drawings and contract to comprehend how to integrate all the different components. I presented Downstream with a couple different options of layout and color choices for button states. We had a couple different rounds of feedback and discussions on both panel functionality and aesthetics. In one instance, control of the various audio zones was a hot topic. At first, a floorplan seemed like an ideal solution to show and control all the zones. However, both Downstream and I agreed that the screen looked too cluttered with the floorplan and volume controls. Ultimately, we decided that since only the power-operator would be in control of all zones, they would be trained to know exactly which zones are where. The solution simplified the UI and satisfied everyone’s needs.

 

My first impression of working with the consultant Downstream was a feeling of being overwhelmed. There was an abundance of information, guidelines, and opinions. But I realized that they knew the end client well, and they ended up being good collaborators. It was great to work on a project that was done well as a team.