Phantom Creek presents winery visitors with a landscape aesthetic that is different from what they may be accustomed: one in which imperfection is not just tolerated but embraced, and non-human species – from soil microbes and hover flies to osprey and wild horses – are viewed as essential collaborators. Inspired by 60 years of viticultural experimentation on the site resulting in highly adapted vineyards producing superlative wines, the landscape architects sought to design an ornamental landscape that would not just cope with but thrive in the unique conditions of Canada’s lone desert.
BENCH developed a project specification document tailored to be compliant with organic farming practices, and a maintenance manual following biodynamic principles. The exercise of preparing these documents has informed subsequent work concerning closed-loop landscape maintenance, the preservation and enhancement of soil carbon, and the substitution of locally available, low-impact organic alternatives to peat, perlite and coir.
