I miss going to fine dining restaurants where a serious (and well-dressed) sommelier considers each course of a meal and pours a beautiful glass of wine chosen just for me. I’m dreaming of my very own wine cellar, stocked with a thoughtful, meaningful and valuable selection of red, whites and bubblies. (Instead, I maybe have a few reds in the liquor cabinet and a handful of whites in the refrigerator.)
For clients of Atlanta Wine Cellars, Inc., their dreams become reality when Alex Smith and his team design and build a home wine cellar, a bespoke space for fine wines and tastings. Smith has built wine walls and cellars for traditional, modern and rustic homes around Buckhead for more than 25 years. Using the finest materials, including locally-sourced art, Atlanta Wine Cellars offers consultation on room set up, custom wine storage design or complete turn-key design build wine cellaring services. We popped a cord with Alex to find out more about his business.
BH: When it comes to wine cellaring, you and your team are masters at developing solutions to meet the specific needs of wine space and wine collection. What should homeowners look for in a new space before building?
AS: Making sure that the walls and perimeter of the wine cellar are properly insulated with moisture resistant materials to properly insure the longevity of your home and investment are key. Every wine space is unique , we know how to meet these needs properly and sustainably and with your wine collection in mind. We will never jeopardize your wine collection or living environment just to make a sale.
BH: Building a wine cellar requires strict attention to materials to protect and showcase the collector’s valuable wine. What makes your work special?
AS: Generally on our wine cellar builds we use materials such as mahogany, sapele, redwood or even oak. We use no secondary material like plywood or things that wouldn't be humidity resistant. We work in the Atlanta and surrounding areas, such as Buckhead, Brookhaven, Alpharetta, East Cobb, Ansley Park and West Paces Area. We stay close so as to provide great service to our clients. We've built as little as a one thousand bottle capacity up to ten thousand bottle capacity it really depends upon the area in which we have to work as well as the clients needs and tastes. Some have tasting tables or elaborate lighting, some don’t. We love what we do regardless our clients give us a lot of creative ideas.
BH: You "live, work and play in the community and believe in sourcing locally and supporting local artists and craftsmen of the trades. What is an example of a unique feature of a wine cellar you’ve built recently?
AS: We have built a few hidden safe rooms in wine cellars, but of course, I can't divulge where they are!
BH: You provide turn key design-build wine cellar installation. You also provide wine cellar designs to your necessary details. "Wine racking only, cooling only, or building envelope details to meet your specific space needs are our specialty and what we do best." What is the process, from the first time you meet with a customer, to the final inspection?
AS: We can build most anything within the parameters given by our clients. Quite often we're given a picture or a hand drawing to build a ornate and elaborate space from. We work with builders, homeowners and architects perpetually and ultimately go above and beyond to make sure they are excited and happy with the investment.. That is our unsolicited goal as a company and wood artisan.