Luxury shading enhances vineyard experience

Since the global pandemic, many hospitality and commercial establishments have reconsidered the functionality of their outdoor spaces.

In July 2022, outdoor shading manufacturer, Caribbean Blinds, delivered a highly effective and stylish shading solution in the form of four luxury double louvered roof pergola canopies at a vineyard restaurant in the South Downs.

The client

Based in the picturesque South Downs National Park, The Rows & Vine Restaurant at Ridgeview Wine Estate offers an al-fresco dining experience with views over vineyards and beyond.

The brief

As an outdoor-only restaurant, it was imperative that the space at The Rows & Vine could be utilised in all weather conditions to ensure maximum revenue year round. Therefore, as part of the design, a series of canopies were incorporated into the zoned terraces, as well as adjacent to the bar area to provide diners with a comfortable space to enjoy the iconic views.

The finished result

After working closely with the project architect, four double modules of the ‘Deluxe’ Outdoor Living Pod were specified to fully cover a space totalling almost 200m². The Pods feature a louvered roof that rotates 150 degrees and are completely watertight when closed.

Additionally integrated side screens were installed to protect against wind and driving rain, whilst infra-red heaters and LED ambient lighting were integrated on the inside of the cross beams to keep diners warm and to illuminate the terrace on darker afternoons and evenings.

The project took just 12 weeks from start to finish, with the installation taking less than two weeks to complete, all ready for the official opening and first private event – a vineyard wedding. A dedicated project manager guaranteed a seamless process and full CAD drawings were provided for sign off and to ensure the perfect positioning of required services, along with other elements such as interaction with decking.

Matt Gayler, general manager at Ridgeview, commented: “We wanted to design and create an amazing space that blended naturally into the surrounding environment. Through al-fresco led design, we wanted to be able to operate year-round, whilst always delivering an engaging customer experience.

The Deluxe Outdoor Living Pod was selected because of its adaptability and design, with the structures becoming an integral part of the overall scheme. Caribbean Blinds was efficient from design to on-site logistics and being a UK manufacturer gave us peace of mind.”

The Outdoor Living Pod’s innovative, rotating louvered roof can be left fully open, and ensures a completely water, wind and even snow-tight roof when closed. Optional windproof screens, ambient LED perimeter lighting and instant infra-red heaters are designed to ensure mean a cosy environment all year round. Built for durability and longevity, the low-maintenance Outdoor Living Pod is constructed from super strong, corrosion resistant, powder coated aluminium and can be adapted to any outdoor lounging or dining space.

According to Caribbean Blinds, demand for its range of high-quality weather-proof awnings, external blinds and pergolas rise by 161% during the pandemic – and adds that there are no signs of demand slowing down.