Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/901018
Care to Pop a Bottle? Rhino Wine Cellars & Cooling Systems wants to create "the wine cellar of your dreams." Whether or not that is your dream, you have to acknowledge the fact that Doug and Luellen The products Rhino creates are also stunningly spectacular. I'm sure that has some effect on business, too. While Doug keeps confidentiality air tight when necessary, he does dish on a few bigwigs who have requested his services. In Seoul, for example, the chairman of a large electronics manufacturer requested—and received—a 25,000-bottle cellar. His son, not wanting to outdo Dad, just recently added a 16,000-bottle cellar at his place. Don't you love when father and son can bond over shared interests? Another example of a high-profile request. In true "I can't believe I do this for a living" fashion, Doug had a client who requested the biggest wine cellar in all of Dubai, to be put next to the theatre and dance floor, of course. Sure. Done. Another day in the life of a world-renowned wine storage specialist. Doug reiterates that there are hundreds of stories like this— and he's just referring to local projects. In fact, smaller local projects make up the bulk of Rhino's work. Doug references the 80/20 rule, where 20 percent represents the huge projects and 80 percent are the—slightly— less costly 6'x6' cellars seen in many Puget Sound-area homes. You do get the feeling that he could regale you for hours on end with stories about clients and their many-sized projects, perhaps over several glasses of wine, but he stops just short enough to remain humble. Doug finishes with "We want to be a friend to all people." So far, so good. Smith have more or less made their dreams come true. Projects around the world, a client list to die for, and evident happiness; that's pretty good in anyone's book. And think about this. When someone in London, China, Korea, Dubai, or Bellevue is having a party or just a particularly good day, they reach for their favorite bottle, pour a glass, and raise a toast to celebrate their happiest of moments. And Mr. and Mrs. Smith are right there with them. See more of their beautiful work at rhinowinecellars.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN D. SMITH CONSTRUCTION 47 WINTER 2017 master builder