Buena Vista Winery

When Boisset Family Estates purchased the Buena Vista Winery in 2011, they took responsibility for a major landmark in American viticulture and California history. Built in 1857 by the renaissance man and self-styled “Count” Agosthon Haraszthy, the Buena Vista Winery is a state and national landmark, and a premier stop on the Sonoma County wine trail.

As part of a major seismic redesign and retrofit of the property, ARG Conservation Services collaborated with the general contractor to survey the historic masonry and evaluate the structural soundness of the original stone cellar and press house buildings. Removing the ivy from the cellar façade revealed historic masonry requiring considerable cosmetic and structural repairs, in part to ameliorate the effects of a shoddy 1940s restoration project.

Our stonemasons removed deteriorating mortar, repaired broken stone, fabricated portions of missing stones to match the original, and repointed every elevation of the building. This work left the exterior masonry visually spectacular and structurally sound, allowing the renovations to safely proceed to the cellar interiors. Inside, our masons were able to further lend their expertise, masking ceiling patches left by seismic strengthening and creating a seamless surface to match the original profile of the cellar ceiling.