It’s not only Spanish wine that is exclusive

Greening the barrel roof of a winery

Bodegas Ramón Bilbao in Haro, a winery steeped in tradition and innovation, is located in the ancient wine-growing region of Rioja Alta in the north east of Spain. Apart from its world-renowned exclusive wines, it now has a green roof that is just as exclusive. By using three different ZinCo systems, a perfectly fitting green roof was installed on the barrel roof of the new winery, ranging from flat to steep-pitched, and covering an area of about 2,000 m² and arched up to 35°. The flowering Mediterranean vegetation, secure and durable, has taken root, picturesquely integrating the prestigious building into the surrounding landscape.

The history of Bodegas Ramón Bilbao (bodega means “winery” in Spanish) began back in 1924 in Haro with a small plot on the road to Casalarreina where Ramón Bilbao began cultivating grapevines. Today, the wine estate comprises 240 Ha of their own vineyards in the fertile basin of the River Ebro at a unique altitude of 400 to 700 metres, in the foothills of the Iberian mountains. The company also cultivates a further 900 Ha of vineyards and enjoys a close relationship with the owners. Since 1999, Bodegas Ramón Bilbao has been selling their exclusive wines to an incredible 80 countries around the world under the auspices of the Zamora Company, a family business active on the international stage and also of Spanish origin. In 2017, their success enabled Bodegas Ramón Bilbao to expand the winery from 4,500 m² to 21,000 m², during which a new winery was built. The venue was born to elaborate a new winemaking project, called Lalomba, devoted to create high end single vineyard wines.

Incorporated into the landscape

The architecture of the building is instrumental in enabling the new building to merge gently into the landscape. Apart from the green roof, it is above all the low height of the building and the barrel-shaped roof that makes a difference here. The glass façades at the sides of the building allow for a glimpse into the interior. The vaulted roof on one side almost reaches down to the ground, and incisions in the roof even provide space for growing vines.  In this way, a very close connection is created between the building and the adjacent wine-growing areas. The most significant element connecting the surrounding landscape is, naturally, the green roof itself. Not only does it look like a protecting hat, it does actually provide protection. The green roof filters dust, reduces noise levels and has a temperature-balancing effect – it provides thermal insulation in the winter and cooling in the summer. It therefore extends the service life of the roof waterproof membrane. This sustainability is actually an integral part of the corporate philosophy of the Bodegas Ramón Bilbao and the Zamora Company.

Stable shear force protection

The choice of system build-up for the installation of a green roof onto the barrel roof quickly fell on the ZinCo “Pitched Green Roof” and “Steep-Pitched Green Roof” systems, the reason being that they provide the best shear force protection and protection against erosion as they are specifically adapted to the actual roof pitch.

While the barrel roof is virtually flat in the ridge area, it has a pitch of about 20° on one side and of 35° on the opposite side, where the roof almost touches the ground. As the roof pitch increases so too do the shear forces which have to be transferred to the roof structure via stable abutments. For this reason, the roof edge was designed to be high and stable, and apart from that, additional shear barriers were anchored within the roof area. These shear barriers are precisely dimensioned, ranging from a height of 10 cm in the upper roof area to 30 cm in the lower roof area, and they are expertly sealed into the existing EPDM synthetic seal. The shear barriers are interrupted at regular intervals across their width to allow excess water to run off.

Tailored green roof systems

It is not only the stable sub-structure that is responsible for anchoring the green roof but also the specific green roof build-up on the surface. Therefore, in the lower steep-pitched roof area up to 35° the system build-up “Steep-Pitched Green Roof” with Georaster® elements are used (across approx. 140 m²). These interlocking grid elements made from recycled plastic, are 54 x 54 cm in size and 10 cm high, and immediately create a stable, extensive structure that can absorb shear forces of up to approx. 800 kg/linear metre and secure the substrate layer. Their low volume provides for a comparatively large space for root penetration. The better the root-penetration of the subsequent plants, the lower the risk of erosion. Protection Mat BSM 64 is installed beneath the Georaster® elements to allow for a particularly high level of water storage.

The ZinCo system build-up “Pitched Green Roof” with Floraset® FS 75 is used in all roof areas up to 25° (an area of approx. 730 m²). These drainage elements, profiled on the upper side, are made of EPS hard foam and are used as an extensive structure to absorb and transfer the shear forces from the overlying substrate. The substrate interlocks very well with the large water storage troughs of these approx. 75 mm high elements.

Floradrain® FD elements are now connected across the entire ridge area of the barrel roof (an area of approx. 1,280 m²). This is exactly right where the pitch is minimal to non-existent, as these 40 mm high plastic elements can store up to 5 l/m². Protection Mat SSM 45 is fitted beneath these elements.

Mediterranean vegetation

The best protection from erosion is vegetation cover with good root penetration. The right substrate and plants are important here as are the type of distribution and the growing phase until such time as full coverage is achieved. Exposure to the wind also plays a role. Drought-resistant, indigenous plants adapted to the climatic conditions were selected, for example, Cistus albidus (white rockrose), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Cerastium tomentosum (snow-in-summer), Salvia officinalis (sage), Rosmarinus officinalis “Prostratus” (creeping rosemary), etc. They were planted in the substrate layer that is up to 30 cm in depth in groups of small root ball plants and to the required plant density, and a layer of white gravel was applied to the substrate. The gravel was specifically chosen as a design feature and, in addition, it protects the substrate from drying out too much. Given its bright colour, it reflects the light and the surface remains cooler.

The installed dripline irrigation system ensures an even water supply to the plants during the growing phase and beyond. The plants have therefore established themselves permanently, and they paint a wonderfully vivid and ever-changing flowering picture.

The picturesque green roof at the Bodegas Ramón Bilbao is truly a visual highlight for all visitors. The building architecture surrounded by grapevines and olive trees enriches the magnificent landscape.

Author: Fabian Kaiser, Head of International Sales, ZinCo GmbH

Site board

Construction project: Greened barrel roof of the winery Bodegas Ramón Bilbao, Avda. Santo Domingo 34, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain

Client: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain

Construction year: 2017

Roof area: approx. 2,000 m² 

Green roof build-up: ZinCo system build-up “Pitched or Steep Pitched Green Roof” depending on the roof pitch with Floradrain®, Floraset® and Georaster®

Architect: AnRe Arquitectos SLP, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain

Landscape architects:
Jesús Lozano, 26001 Logroño La Rioja
Luis Craviotto Vallejo, 26360 Fuenmayor La Rioja

Contractor: Perica – Obras y Servicios S.A, 26340 San Asension, La Rioja, Spain

System supplier: ZinCo Cubiertas Ecológicas S.L., 28001 Madrid, Spain