Jan 24, 2024
Unlocking the Secrets of Flagstaff House's Wine Collection
When sophistication meets preservation, a wine cellar becomes more than a storage space; it transforms into a sanctuary for prized collections. At Flagstaff House in Boulder, Colorado, this idea is front and center.
While home to an impressive 17,500-bottle collection that has earned the decades-old restaurant every top wine award, it’s the nearly 100 bottles on display at the front of the restaurant that give insight into what’s in store.
It's an amazing first impression for guests.
Let's Explore:
Safeguarding Flagstaff House's Diverse Wine Collection
As you enter the esteemed restaurant, its wine display — aka 'investment cellar' — greets you. It's a gallery showcasing a prestigious collection of 90 or so, specially curated bottles. Here, VintageView's W Series Wine Racks are front and center handpicked to safeguard Flagstaff House's most prized bottles.
A nod to the trust we've earned in this distinguished space.
The wine display's design is special in a few ways. First, it features customized a W Series Frame that allows it to seamlessly accommodate magnums and to Jeroboams in the center column, offset from the stylish stone wall, using our "Chimney" Frame (customized to changed widths). Beyond that, the outside columns use our standard products aligned to interlace the bottle necks — both a space-saving and beautiful look.
"[VintageView] understands the value of proper storage, making sure each bottle finds its perfect spot.," says Ali Yakich, Flagstaff's Beverage Director and one of four sommeliers.
Beyond mere bottle-holding, VintageView's design is a testament to our commitment to proper storage, cradling each bottle with care.
Most nights, the cellar will be full of one of the world’s few complete verticals of Chateau Mouton Rothschild Artist Series wines, dating back to the mid-1940s. There’s also an 1899 selection from Rothschild and large-format DRC bottles (more on these later). Each distinctive bottle on display commands thousands, to tens of thousands of dollars.
This is the stuff that wine geeks drool over. And, probably the most valuable per-bottle wine collection stored on VintageView wine racks.
[VintageView] understands the value of proper storage, making sure each bottle finds its perfect spot.
Ali Yakich, Flagstaff's Beverage Director and one of four sommeliers.
The Collection: A Symphony of Passion and Expertise
These are no ordinary bottles; they are pieces of history that tell their own tale of craftsmanship and heritage. Each one is different, producing an eclectic mix of bottle types and sizes. Orchestrating the ideal placement for this diverse collection is no simple task, 'Wine racks should be accommodating, especially for these bottles. They're quite awkward and tricky to place' says Ali.
Among the cellar's rarities is a 5L 1993 Chateau Mouton Rothschild bottle with a banned label. Also, the highly sought-after Burgundy Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) from 2000 (priced at $72,480). Signed bottles like the Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Chateau le Puy from the '80s also add to the allure.
Preservation: A Sacred Art
Handling vintages of this caliber demands meticulous care and attention. Flagstaff House's commitment to preserving these exceptional bottles is evident in their unique preservation techniques and the reliable wine-racking systems that safeguard each precious drop.
With the display case close to the entrance where bottles could be exposed to light or temperature change, the cellar's design is strategic.
Metal racks save labels from abrasion, while doors akin to protective shower doors shield the collection from any harmful external elements. Temperature control is precise, maintained at the perfect aging level, and even sunlight is kept at bay using a custom tarp fitted with magnets to prevent UV damage.
The somms rotate throughout the day checking on the display and each of the larger storage cellars below it. Each bottle is tediously inspected regularly, ensuring the environment remains perfect. The dedication extends to organizing, adding new acquisitions, and occasionally selecting the most exciting bottles for customers.
Flagstaff House: A Culinary Legacy
At Flagstaff House, importance isn't just measured in years; it's crafted through five decades of culinary distinction. Serving as Boulder's fine dining institution for more than 50 remarkable years, this establishment has become synonymous with excellence.
With dozens of Wine Spectator accolades adorning its illustrious journey, Flagstaff House stands as a beacon of gastronomic achievement. Beyond its iconic stature, we've taken a journey into the heart of the matter— its wine collection, a haven of passion, history, and preservation.
Flagstaff House proudly boasts the largest bottle collection in Colorado across its four cellars. Yet, it's the investment cellar at the forefront, adorned with VintageView wine racks, that showcases the most extraordinary and priceless bottles in their remarkable collection. Each bottle within this venerable space echoes the culinary artistry that has defined Flagstaff House for generations.
In the end, we've learned it's not just about shelving bottles; it's about cherishing legacies and savoring experiences preserved within each one.
VintageView proudly supports this mission, ready to help YOU craft a wine cellar that's nothing short of extraordinary. Feel inspired? Let's turn that inspiration into your own personalized wine cellar masterpiece!
*For more info on the W Series Wine Rack, check out our Complete Guide.
