La Tête d'Or – New York City
In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, La Tête d'Or is the definition of refined elegance. Set in a historic neighbourhood, the restaurant is a tribute to American steakhouse cuisine with a refined French flair. Heritage Vine was commissioned by the glamorous venue through a trusted referral from the Rockwell Group, tasked with designing two custom wine cellars that integrated seamlessly into the Gatsby-era elegance of the New York restaurant.
Following a history of successful collaborations with SL Green, including Hudson Yards and the Vanderbilt Building, Heritage Vine teamed up with Rockwell, SL Green's hospitality division, and Dinax Group to bring La Tête d'Or’s vision to life.
With shared experience and confidence in each other's execution, the team came together to handcraft two bespoke cellars for La Tête d'Or prior to successfully opening its doors in October 2024.
Project Details
Cellar Category:
Commercial
Cellar Bottle Capacity:
2,500
Design Theme:
Refined Elegance
Feature Material:
Mahogany
The Vision
The design for La Tête d'Or draws inspiration from vintage steakhouse glamour, updated with contemporary elegance, warm accents, and striking vertical space. Rockwell's concept paired Art Deco detailing with rich, moody tones to create a space that felt both timeless and theatrical.
Seamlessly connecting to the interior theme while serving the restaurant's practical needs, both cellars feature beautiful mahogany, Sapele wood, black accents, elegant lighting, and bronze detailing.
With every aspect crafted to evoke the elegance and spirit of France, it was only natural for wine to form an integral part of the guest experience from the moment of arrival. Our experienced team designed the first cellar to integrate with the hostess stand at the entrance, delivering visual drama without distraction. The second cellar, closer to the private dining room, has been positioned for ease of access to enhance the guest experience, displaying a curated wine collection with outward facing labels, allowing for personal selection by the more distinguished guests.
The Challenge
Executing two custom wine cellar environments within an active, tightly scheduled hospitality build in Midtown Manhattan required precision planning and experienced project coordination. Installation access was constrained, timelines were tight, and finishes had to match the top-tier architectural details. The Heritage Vine team drew on its wealth of experience in constructing complex projects within strict schedules, collaborating with a number of trusted stakeholders to ensure vital milestones were met for a smooth cellar installation.
Functionality was another key challenge. The front cellar needed to fit seamlessly into the space, while creating visual impact. The height of the front cellar lends itself to grandeur of the space, complete with a custom built ladder to add both a point of interest and a functional method for selecting bottles. The rear cellar demanded high-capacity storage, optimised for wine pairings and service flow. Heritage Vine addressed this need by integrating a hidden secondary shelf behind the angled front display, allowing for bottles to be double stacked, increasing capacity and reducing frequent refilling.
Masterful Execution
The final installation delivered two seamless wine cellar settings that reflect the operational demands of fine dining and La Tête d'Or's elevated design.
The front cellar makes an immediate impression, with a rolling ladder, architectural cabinetry, and soft LED lighting behind the racks to create glowing silhouettes. It holds over 2,000 bottles and welcomes guests to the space with rich texture and subtle drama. The rear cellar, near the private dining space, features a highly functional layout that can hold 400 to 500 bottles at a time. Double-depth storage maximises capacity, while a label-forward design allows quick selection for seamless guest service.
Together, the two cellars create a wine experience that is as functional as it is beautiful, supporting the restaurant's service goals while enhancing its atmosphere.
This project continues a valued partnership with Rockwell Group and the SL Green team, reaffirming Heritage Vine's role as a trusted collaborator for top-tier hospitality wine cellar designs across New York City and beyond.
