The Modern Barrel Room | Custom Wine Cellar in McLean, VA
Step into a space shaped around sweeping radius millwork, evoking the organic curvature of a classic wine barrel alongside modern climate-controlled display. Built as part of our 2016 Artist Series Project, this one-of-a-kind McLean commission was custom-engineered from the ground up, from structural staves to every individual bottle cradle.
Custom Barrel Curved Racking & Modern Wine Furniture
The design brings the warmth and shape of classic cooperage into a refined, contemporary layout:
- Barrel-Inspired Curves: Radius-milled staves and curved framework envelope the collection, giving the room its distinct barrel profile while seating bottles securely at proper resting angles.
- Integrated Wine Furniture: Custom decanting counters and tasting credenzas crafted with matching radius profiles provide dedicated service space inside the room.
- Low-Profile Insulated Glass: High-performance, thermally broken insulated glass panels with an ultra-slim profile frame mimic the clean, open look of frameless glass without compromising the airtight seal required for long-term aging.
- Preservation Envelope: Dedicated vapor barrier and split refrigeration system keep temperature steady at 55°F with 60–70% relative humidity, eliminating condensation risk along the glass enclosure.
Standard wine rooms rely on flat walls and modular square boxes. For this private McLean residence, the room’s architecture is shaped around sweeping radius millwork and dedicated wine furniture. Rather than altering the ceiling overhead, the barrel-inspired curvature lives entirely within the custom racking and cabinetry—combining fine woodworking with high-performance thermal preservation.
Architectural Millwork & CNC Fabrication Process
To execute continuous curves without structural deflection or on-site fitting issues, every component was fabricated in-house at our local millwork shop using a seamless digital-to-machine workflow:
- 3D Parametric Modeling: CAD drafting modeled each rib, spacing cleat, and horizontal cradle angle to ensure bottles remain safely seated along the elliptical pitch.
- 3-Axis CNC Routing: Structural ribs and arched staves were routed on our MultiCam CNC table, with joinery cut to tight shop tolerances for a seamless fit on site.
- Shop Assembly & Dry-Fit: Every curved ladder rack module was pre-assembled and load-tested in our facility prior to site delivery.
- Low-Voltage Architectural Lighting: Concealed, high-CRI linear LED strip channels integrated directly into millwork reveals to illuminate bottle display faces without introducing excess ambient heat into the refrigerated space.
Wine Cellar Project Specifications
Designed, engineered, and built by our team at Classic Cellar Design under the direction of founder and sommelier Steve Goldstein. Fabricated entirely in our Sterling, Virginia millwork shop, representing more than 300 custom cellars delivered across Virginia, Maryland, and DC since 2001.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Collection | Artist Series Project (2016) |
| Location | McLean, Northern Virginia |
| Storage Architecture | Barrel Curved Racking & Modern Integrated Wine Furniture |
| Fabrication Method | 3-Axis CNC Routing & Shop Joinery |
| Display Formats | Custom Curved Horizontal Cradles & High-Density Racking |
| Enclosure & Finish | Low-Profile Framed Insulated Glass (Frameless Look, Airtight Seal) |
| Climate Envelope | Dedicated Vapor Barrier, Split Cooling System Integration |
| Service Scope | Concept 3D CAD, Shop Millwork, Climate Design & Installation |
Planning a Custom Wine Cellar in Northern Virginia?
From bespoke barrel-curved wine racking to low-profile insulated glass enclosures, Classic Cellar Design delivers end-to-end design, CNC fabrication, and turnkey installation across McLean, Great Falls, Arlington, and the greater Washington, D.C. area.