Principles of Dry Laid Stone with
Vincent Feucht
Date & Time:
Saturday, July 26 & Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 9am to 4pm
Location:
Hunt Country Vineyards, 4021 Italy Hill Rd., Branchport NY
Registration:
$325 per person - Includes morning pastry, lunch, a glass of wine, instruction & tools, both days.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: No walk-ins. Space limited to 14 students.
In 2018 Hunt Country offered our first fun and educational dry-wall stone workshop. By popular demand, we've offered these workshops each year since. This season we continue the tradition with lead instructor Vincent Feucht.
This course will cover the core principles of dry-stone walling, through stone placement, and the basics of cheek end construction. Students will leave capable of building structurally sound free-standing walls and retaining walls.
This course is intended for complete beginners and amateurs looking to solidify their grasp of the theory and application of dry-stone construction principles. We will cover the basics of shaping with chisels and hammers, and participants will be able to practice basic tooling techniques.
Vincent will take the lead on instruction, but will be accompanied by the very skilled past workshop instructor DJ Kitzel.
And, Suzanne Hunt who has become quite the adept waller over these years of workshops and stone projects on the farm.
A "dream team" to share a wealth of dry walling skills.
Dry Laid Stone:
A dry-stone wall is a historically cost-effective option providing a strong, aesthetically pleasing boundary or retaining structure using readily available stones and no mortar. Stones are carefully selected and placed following basic principles to interlock and create stability, relying on gravity and friction rather than cement to hold them together. The lack of mortar allows the wall to move slightly with ground shifts, making it less prone to cracking or damage from frost heaves, and allowing the free flow of water without buckling. Thus, eliminating the need for synthetic materials such as perforated pipe or synthetic filter fabric. The gaps between stones can provide shelter for small animals and insects as well. A proper dry-stone wall is a durable, beautiful, environmentally friendly structure that blends naturally with the landscape. And, can be built with minimal materials and easy to learn skilled craftsmanship.
Dry stone construction is an ancient craft that goes back thousands of years since the Neolithic period and exists around the globe. Evidence of dry-stone walls and house construction at Skara Brae on Orkney has been radiocarbon dated back to c3200 BC, amazingly preserved as it was buried by sand dunes until discovered in 1850. From Machu Picchu to Japan, dry stone construction has been used around the world for centuries in a broad spectrum of applications and styles. Dry stone walling is officially recognized as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO.
About Vincent Feucht:
Vincent is a level 1 certified dry stone waller, currently working toward his level 2 certification. He has been working in dry stone applications since completing his first course at Hunt Country with D.J. Kitzel in 2020. His mentor, Kim Coggin, is the only level 4 certified master craftswoman in North America (and one of only four in the world).
Before focusing his time on his three kids as a stay-at-home father, Vincent worked as a nature guide and forest school instructor at the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s Cumming Nature Center in Naples. Prior to moving to the Finger Lakes in 2016, Vincent spent a year working on a farm in Tuscany, Italy where he met his wife Rachel, worked as butcher’s apprentice learning the art of traditional whole animal butchery, and had his first encounter repairing dry stone walls. In addition to raising a variety of animals at their small farm, Vincent takes on a range of dry stone projects as FLX Dry Stone Masonry.
Program Information:
Saturday morning will include coffee/tea, fresh local pastry, introductions, course overview, expectations, and safety.
Sunday morning will include coffee/tea, fresh local pastry, a recap of Saturday and the opportunity for questions and answers.
Getting right into the project by 10am both Saturday and Sunday.
Instruction will be a combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on work to construct a functional wall.
All tools and materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring any personal tools as well.
There will be tents on site to protect participants from sun and rain.
Layers, sunscreen, sun hat and a water bottle are recommended.
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes, or footwear with composite or steel toe protection.
Please bring eye protection and your own gloves (thinner are better).
We will have extra safety gear on-site just in case.
Food & Libations:
BREAKFAST:
There will be local pastry, coffee, and tea available upon your arrival both mornings.
However, we encourage you to eat a hearty breakfast ahead of arrival, as you will be working hard all morning.
LUNCH:
Lunches will be provided.
Please let us know of any food restrictions.
SNACKS:
There are picnic items available to purchase in our tasting room.
Please feel free to bring your own snacks if you feel you might need them before or after lunch as well.
Hard work can make a person more hungry than usual.
HYDRATION:
Hydration is a requirement of hard work.
We will have hot coffee, tea, and cold mint water available to you all day.
Please bring a water bottle to refill throughout the day.
We also have refreshing beverage options for purchase in our tasting room.
WINE:
An end of day glass of wine is included in your registration fee.
Wine tastings, wines by the glass or bottle, and local beer are also available for purchase.
Questions: info@huntwines.com