The Cellars on Tazewell is a commercial wine cellar directed primarily toward private collectors, with "for lease" wine condominiums. Individual cellars hold between 100 and 3,000+ bottles.

The Cellars is located in downtown Norfolk Virginia in the basement of the circa 1906 Virginian Pilot building. The Cellars is separated from Byrd and Baldwin Brother's Steakhouse private dining space by a secure door. Access to the Cellars is not through the restaurant, however collections can be viewed from the private dining space.

 

The roughly 2,400 square foot basement has solid brick foundation walls with interior support from massive brick and granite piers. Floor and ceiling are poured concrete. The space is fully sprinkled and fire monitored from a central monitoring station. A roof top natural gas generator will automatically cycle on in the event of a power interruption. The generator provides power for the sump pumps as well as insuring uninterrupted security monitoring. Individual cellars are framed in structural lumber with demising walls of powder coated steel mesh allowing free flow of air but providing individual unit security. Each individual cellar is secured with locking door access. Four York split mechanical systems are designed to maintain temperatures in a range of 55 to 62 degrees year round. Humidity is controlled within a range of 50-70%. The massive construction all but eliminates vibration. Light exposure is kept to a minimum by the basement location as well as motion sensitive light switching.

In addition to continual fire monitoring and fire suppression sprinklers, there is central station security monitoring. Access to the cellar is by key and FOB, access to each individual cellar is by key and is controlled by the lease. Cameras are critically placed to monitor any cellar activity. The Cellars is less than one block from the downtown police patrol division.

The downtown Norfolk power grid is perhaps the most reliable in the city, but in the event of power loss the fire and security systems will remain on line powered by a roof top natural gas generator which also provides back up to the sump pumps.

Additional Cellar Dweller Information

  • Cellar leases will have controlled access between 7 am and 7 pm daily. Hours may be adjusted depending on demand.
  • Insurance of individual cellar contents are the responsibility of each lease and is readily and reasonably available.
  • Leases are required to maintain their individual cellar in good order. Racking and shelving is specifically designed for each individual unit. Alterations need prior approval to insure the visual integrity of the space.
    • The lease fee structure will reflect the level of service provided from basic to enhanced. Services can include:
      • Acceptance of wine shipments
      • Membership in the Byrd and Baldwin Bros. retail wine program
      • Access to sommelier services
      • Future assistance with cellar management, inventory, and collection valuations
      • Additionally there are monthly wine tastings hosted at the steakhouse for cellar dwellers

    Please visit the contact us page to request additional information