Refined Millwork for an Oxford Institution
Situated in a prominent 17th-century premises on Oxford High Street, an independent fine wine merchant sought to create an intimate subterranean tasting salon and retail cellar.
The commercial fit-out required high-density structural bottle storage capable of safely bearing metric tonnes of wine, paired with an elegant central tasting counter and acoustic timber wall panelling to absorb conversational echo in the brick-vaulted space.
Commercial Durability & Craft Aesthetics
Fluted Solid Olive Ash Counter
The central tasting counter features a curving face clad in individually machined solid British olive ash flutes. The tactile solid timber surface is treated with an invisible commercial hardwax lacquer resistant to red wine spills and alcohol staining.
Structural Oak Cellaring Racks
To house 2,400 reserve bottles, we engineered interlocking mortised oak lattice shelving capable of distributing massive point loads across vaulted stone foundations without transferring shear forces to historic brickwork.
Class B Fire Retardant Certification
All architectural timber panelling, counter cladding, and ceiling battens underwent certified vacuum-pressure impregnation with European Class B-s1,d0 fire-retardant chemistry, satisfying strict commercial building control regulations.
Commercial Technical Specifications
| Location | High Street, Oxford (Independent Wine Merchant) |
|---|---|
| Timber Species | British Olive Ash (*Fraxinus excelsior*) & Fumed European Oak |
| Commercial Storage | 2,400 Bottle Modular Interlocking Heavy-Duty Oak Lattice |
| Fire Safety Rating | BS EN 13501-1 Class B-s1,d0 Fire-Retardant Impregnation |
| Surface Finish | Commercial High-Traffic Micro-Porous Oil (Anti-Stain Tested) |
| Installation Schedule | Phased Evening White-Glove Installation to Prevent Retail Disruption |
"The response from our patrons has been overwhelming. Cotswold Woodcraft created a tasting room that feels both historic and impeccably contemporary. The fluted ash counter is a true work of art that stands up effortlessly to commercial use."
— Rupert Sterling, Managing Director
