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Dirk absorbed those early brainstorming sessions with Gil and Larry and took the lead in designing the cave where he would make Far Niente's wines. This elegant cave complex is a reflection of Dirk's concern for aesthetics and his enormous attention to every detail, including 15 separate utility systems, all of which make working and being in the cave a total pleasure. The octagonal wine library with its graceful domed ceiling, several 45-degree-angle tunnels, and the exquisite lighting throughout the caves are just some of the elements that evoke an enchanted atmosphere. The cave complex comprises more than a perfect setting to age the Estate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Within a separate special section of the cave is housed Dolce, the only American winery dedicated to producing a single late-harvest wine. In 1997 Far Niente launched Nickel & Nickel winery as a separate brand devoted to producing 100-percent-varietal single-vineyard wines. This winery would be located on an historic 19th-century farmstead built by John C. Sullenger. The 42-acre vineyard property just northeast of Far Niente was situated on the flat valley floor and thus was unsuitable for caves. Understanding the value of going into the earth and wanting to preserve the historic integrity of the Queen Anne-style home and barns on the property, a 30,000-square-foot barrel cellar and press area was dug underground and connected to two aboveground fermentation barns. Dirk applied all his knowledge of underground environments and designed his dream facility within the limits of the flat land. The project broke ground in June 2001, with Gil's nephew, Erik Nickel, a restoration specialist, as the construction manager. When the project was completed in the summer of 2003 the original look and appeal of the 1880s American farmstead was restored. A casual observer might not realize the property housed a cutting edge winemaking operation. Almost 30 years after establishing the first modern wine cave, Far Niente initiated another first for the wine industry. In 2008 the winery mounted nearly 1,000 solar panels on pontoons and floated them on the vineyard irrigation pond. This "Floatovoltaic" system suggests new considerations of the placement and structure of agricultural ponds. Cave Size: 40,000 square feet Cave Designers: Dirk Hampson; Gil Nickel; Larry Maguire Cave Architect: Lail Design Group, Jon Lail, Doug Osborn, Chau Vu Cave Contractor: Alf Burtleson Construction Lighting Consultant: Jan Moyer Winery Specialties: Estate Chardonnay, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

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