The player is loading ...
Nov. 12, 2024
Damon's Vision: Transforming Wine Storage into an Experience Pt. 2
Bottle Bank is revolutionizing wine storage by offering a modern, secure, and climate-controlled solution that goes beyond traditional cellars. Co-founder Damon Raque shares insights into how this innovative approach not only caters to wine collectors but also fosters a vibrant community around wine appreciation. The facility will feature private wine vaults, a lounge, tasting rooms, and various amenities designed to enhance the wine experience. Damon discusses his journey from a focus on utilitarian wine storage to a hospitality-driven concept, emphasizing the importance of creating an inviting atmosphere for members. With a commitment to inclusivity, Bottle Bank aims to appeal to a diverse audience, making wine enjoyment accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Damon Raque, co-founder of Bottle Bank, shares his vision for a unique wine experience in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. The podcast delves into the concept of Bottle Bank, which aims to provide an extensive selection of wines by the glass and bottle, paired with gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, and desserts. Raque describes the vibrant, walkable neighborhood that will host their establishment, highlighting its cultural significance and artistic flair. He also discusses the collaborative partnership with his long-time friend Rich, emphasizing how their complementary skills have shaped the business's development. With an annual membership model in place, Bottle Bank promises to offer an exclusive yet accessible environment for wine enthusiasts to enjoy curated experiences and private events.
Your Host: Forrest Kelly is an experienced Radio/TV broadcaster who has interviewed some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, from Garth Brooks to Kevin Costner. A lover of wine who is fascinated by the science behind it.
Voted One of The Best Travel, Top 5 Minute, and Top Wine Podcasts.
Takeaways:
- The discussion highlights the unique concept of Bottle Bank, a wine-oriented space in midtown Atlanta.
- Damon Raque emphasizes midtown Atlanta's vibrant, artistic nature as the ideal location.
- Membership will include access to a members-only lounge and various tasting experiences.
- Bottle Bank aims to enhance the wine-drinking experience with curated food pairings and events.
- The $2,500 annual membership includes exclusive amenities, making it a distinctive offering for wine enthusiasts.
Links referenced in this episode:
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Vint.Co
- BottleBank.com
Transcript
Host
Welcome.
Host
Welcome to the Best five Minute Wine Podcast with Forrest Kelly.
Co-Host
Traditionally, wine is stored in a cellar or basement.
Co-Host
But Bottle bank is revolutionizing this practice by offering a modern, secure, climate controlled solution with other amenities too.
Co-Host
We return to our engaging dialogue with Damon Rocky of Bottle Bank.
Damon Rocky
They can store it there and more importantly, they can enjoy it.
Host
That's five Minute Wine Podcast.
Co-Host
Putting this whole thing together, you did some research, right?
Damon Rocky
Correct.
Co-Host
Was it done through a company or your just own experiences and you just started putting them down?
Co-Host
How did you come into making a clear vision?
Damon Rocky
Really kind of on my own, it's morphed over time.
Damon Rocky
Initially it was I looked at strictly wine storage and there's a couple of folks in Atlanta that do traditional wine storage.
Damon Rocky
Just a warehouse at 55 degrees, basic utilitarian storage for folks that have outgrown their current cellaring situation.
Damon Rocky
And I was looking at wine storage literally all over the world.
Damon Rocky
So Australia, New Zealand, the uk, different places in Europe, all over the US and again that's when I kind of realized most of these places didn't have anything that allowed people to take advantage of a wine community.
Damon Rocky
You know, some had a small little tasting room or a tiny little lounge, but nothing really hospitality driven.
Damon Rocky
And in my former life I was in sales and consulting and financial services and did a lot of work with restaurateurs and chefs and those types of folks.
Damon Rocky
So had kind of had a background in hospitality from that side of it.
Damon Rocky
And I think it started out as more of a wine storage concept supported with hospitality.
Damon Rocky
And over time as we've conceptualized the business, it's really flip flopped.
Damon Rocky
Now it's more of a hospitality concept with a wine storage component.
Co-Host
So like a safe deposit box kind of situation where you when if you bring in a particular bottle you.
Co-Host
So I don't know if you've listened to the episode, but I talked to wine investors and where you can buy together with multiple people buy a $5,000 bottle of wine, say so Vint Co perhaps you buy this expensive bottle, you bring it to the bank.
Co-Host
Is it stored someplace else or is it in your actual storage part of the bank?
Damon Rocky
So each individual member.
Damon Rocky
So we're going to be a semi private concept.
Damon Rocky
So we are open to the public, but we also have an optional membership component.
Damon Rocky
So one of the benefits of membership is an individual private wine vault.
Damon Rocky
And we're going to have two different sizes.
Damon Rocky
We're still figuring out the exact capacity, but as it stands now we'll have one size that's going to be between three and four cases and a second size that will be smaller at one case.
Damon Rocky
So individuals will have the ability to source wine from us, but also more importantly, wherever they obtain their wine, if it's online, if it's at a local wine store, if it's via an allocation list or a wine club subscription, we can accept their shipments, they can come and pick them up, or they can say, leave the wine there.
Damon Rocky
At Bottle bank, we will stick it in their private vault.
Damon Rocky
They can store it there and more importantly, they can enjoy it.
Damon Rocky
So the overall size of the space is about 9,000 square feet, of which about 3,000 square feet is going to be the wine vault where members can store their wine.
Damon Rocky
And the remaining square footage is going to be again, a big lounge, tasting rooms, chef's table, tasting counter, some other fun kind of amenities that we've put together to kind of create the Bottle bank experience holistically.
Co-Host
In our next interview with Damon Rocky, co founder of bottlebank.com we will get into who their customer is.
Damon Rocky
I envision Bottle bank appealing to a variety of individuals and that's the great thing about wine.
Damon Rocky
You know, it's inclusive and it is connected.
Host
Who's bringing wine to the next big scene?
Host
It's David Rocky and he's living the dream.
Host
BottleBank.com he's co founder too.
Host
Damon Rock keep the name Bottle banks the game from fine wines to sellers he's changing the frame chandelier bar tasting night so divine Private events with the perfect wine Curated dinners and tasting so fine by the glass where you sip and shine Private cellaring events that impress with Damon Rocky you're sipping the best Damon Rocky the name Bottle banks the game from fine wines to sellers he's changing the frame chandelier bar tasting nights so divine Private events with the perfect one the best five minute one podcast.
Co-Host
Don'T forget my favorite part Please like and follow.
Damon Raque
Co-Founder of Bottle Bank
My inspiration has always been driven by a deep passion for creating memorable experiences. At Bottle Bank, we blend luxury with accessibility, offering an elevated wine experience in the heart of Atlanta. My vision for Bottle Bank is not just to open a venue but to cultivate a community where both new enthusiasts and seasoned collectors can share their passion for wine.
Follow: