The Roederer Estate tasting room has undergone a stunning transformation that bridges generations of winemaking excellence. At the helm of this ambitious redesign is Julia Rouzaud, a seventh-generation member of the renowned Roederer family, who has breathed new life into a space that holds deep personal and professional significance.
This isn’t just another tasting room renovation. It’s a thoughtful reimagining of how visitors experience one of California’s most celebrated sparkling wine producers. Julia’s vision combines contemporary design sensibilities with respect for the estate’s rich heritage, creating an environment where guests can truly appreciate the artistry that goes into every bottle. In this interview with Julia, we explore the inspiration behind this transformation and discover how family legacy, personal vision, and design expertise converged to create something truly special.
HL: How have you added a personalized touch to Roederer Estate?
Julia Rouzaud, Roederer Estate’s Designer: I wanted to revive and modernize the Roederer Estate tasting room while honoring its heritage and surroundings. The space had aged, and I wanted to bring a fresh, contemporary perspective while respecting its history. That combination of embracing a new aesthetic while honoring my own family’s past was very rewarding, building upon and contributing to the previous successes overseen by members of my family.
HL: Can you share more about your personal ties to Roederer Estate and Louis Roederer?
Julia Rouzaud: I am the youngest of four siblings who grew up in Champagne, within the headquarters of the Roederer house, as a member of the seventh generation of the Roederer family. My mother originally designed the Roederer Estate tasting room, and my father oversaw the construction of the winery, so this project carries a deep personal significance for me.
HL: What does it mean to you to work on a space that both your mother and father worked on years ago?
Julia Rouzaud: My mother has always been a great source of inspiration. She designed numerous spaces within the Roederer Group, and she has an incredible eye for design. My travels with both my parents—especially our trips to California during my childhood—have profoundly shaped my vision. Today, I am proud to follow in her footsteps, taking on the responsibility of designing key spaces for the family, such as the winery and the Roederer headquarters in Reims. My brother fully trusts me with this role, and I embrace the challenge of honoring our legacy while asserting my own style.
HL: What type of mood or atmosphere are you hoping to convey with the new space?
Julia Rouzaud: My goal was to create a warm, elegant, and immersive environment that enhances the connection with the stunning Anderson Valley landscape. By opening up the space, rethinking the flow, and carefully curating materials and furnishings, I aimed to design a place that feels timeless yet in tune with today’s expectations.
The ambiance is refined yet inviting, with a strong connection to nature and craftsmanship. The materials and color palette create a space that is both textured and warm, with deep earthy tones and organic finishes. The large openings allow for an open and airy feel, while elements like the Bordeaux-red lava stone tables and custom banquettes add sophistication and comfort.
HL: Where did you pull inspiration from for the aesthetic of the redesign?
Julia Rouzaud: The design is inspired by the concept of a “modern barn,” blending elements of American and Japanese modernist architecture. The winery’s structure itself has a strong, simple aesthetic that reminded me of these influences. I worked with natural materials like wood, terracotta, and stone, combining them with custom-made furniture and vintage pieces to create a style that is both rooted in tradition and forward-thinking.
HL: What is your favorite feature/space/piece of furniture of the new Hospitality Center?
Julia Rouzaud: One of my favorite features is the tasting bar. It was created by French artist Aurélien Veyrat. His sculptures in various colors, which he exhibited in a gallery in Paris, immediately made me want to collaborate with him to create a grand bar for the tasting room. The way he works with layers of reclaimed bricks, each with its own unique shade and texture, resonated deeply with me.
It reminded me of the composition of Anderson Valley’s soils, where different strata—alluvial deposits, loam, clay, gravel, and sandstone—shape the land and, in turn, the character of the wines. Just as the valley’s terroir influences the complexity and minerality of the sparkling wines, the bar’s assemblage of bricks tells a story of depth, texture, and time.
HL: What kind of materials did you use and source to build out the new Center? And why did you choose those?
Julia Rouzaud: The flooring was carefully chosen to reflect the natural landscape and the importance of soil in viticulture. The entryway features handcrafted green Italian terracotta tiles, echoing the lush vineyards surrounding the estate and adding a sense of organic warmth to the space.
For the outdoor terrace, we selected sand-colored terracotta, also handmade by artisans, blending seamlessly with the natural tones of Anderson Valley’s earth. This material choice reinforces the idea that soil is at the heart of winemaking—just as it shapes the grapes and the character of the wine, it also grounds the experience of the tasting room, creating a strong connection between the space and its terroir.
The polished concrete elements were crafted by Belgian specialists, renowned for their expertise in this material. Their work brings a contemporary and refined touch to the space, balancing the warmth of terracotta and wood flooring in the cellar area with a more modern, architectural feel. This contrast enhances the overall design, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity that reflects both the heritage of Roederer Estate and its forward-thinking approach.
At the same time, we ensured that local artisans played a significant role in the project:
- All woodwork, including the bar countertop, banquettes, and structural elements, was crafted by local carpenters, using locally sourced wood.
- The windows and doors were also made by local specialists, reinforcing the connection to the region.
- The entire landscaping and exterior design were entrusted to local artisans, ensuring that the outdoor space feels seamlessly integrated with the natural beauty of Anderson Valley.
HL: What is your background in design?
Julia Rouzaud: I began my career as a scenographer for major brands before joining Deezer as Brand Content Manager. In 2014, I founded Goodmoods, a platform dedicated to creative trends and inspiration. After selling Goodmoods to a leading consulting agency, I launched Julia Rouzaud Studio, continuing my work as an independent consultant. My studio embodies my desire to craft meaningful, narrative-driven spaces, blending design and the art of living.