Tantalus Estate, established in 2013 on 20 acres of vineyard on Waiheke Island, embarked on a transformative journey while keeping its gates closed to the public. The winery building underwent a significant renovation, driven by the collaborative efforts of James Russ Lighting and Emily Priest of Cheshire Architects. The vision was to create a luminous spectacle using materials sourced from the vineyard itself. Dried grapevines were sent to James Russ in two shipments, meticulously treated with acrylic sealant, and shaped into 28 distinct forms. Delicate LEDs illuminated the contours of the vines, casting a soft glow that enveloped the space in warmth and intimacy. With a blend of natural elements, brass accents, and hand-blown glass spheres, the lighting installation exuded whimsical charm and intricate beauty.

Beyond illuminating the space, James Russ also applied his expertise to design unique beer taps and towers for the Alibi Brewery, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship through meticulously hand-carved details.

70-72 Onetangi Road, Onetangi, Waiheke Island, Auckland.

'Divine Lighting' - An excerpt from Interior Magazine dec-feb 2016-17 - Written by Camille Khouri

Credit for this sparkling effect goes to James Russ and his team, who transformed sketches by Cheshire architect Emily Priest into these remarkable light fixtures. They utilised uprooted vines from the estate and incorporated over 4,500 miniature LEDs, which were handwoven into the vines with exposed copper wire. Despite the use of organic materials, these lights are highly advanced, featuring LED drivers concealed within the fixtures and high Color Rendering Index (CRI) LED bulbs to ensure that the food looks its best. A skeletal structure made of solid brass holds the vines together. To create the junctions, Epsilon 3D-printed the molds, then investment-cast them, pouring molten brass into the cavities. This meticulous process resulted in parts with an aged, textured appearance. When they ran low on brass, they purchased all the brass taps from local hardware stores and repurposed them. "They were looking at me like I was crazy," says Russ. a true story of Kiwi ingenuity—using basic materials to create fine art."

Tantalus Photography by Jeremy Toth.

Materials used: Grape vines, Manuka tree, cast brass, brass pipe, handblown glass spheres, miniature LED