When your day job involves one of the most stunning wood products on the market, it’s only natural to bring that material into your passion project—especially if that passion project is a sleek, elevated wine bar that turns heads (and pours generously).
Meet Rob Credi, Thermory Project Manager by day, and now part creator of Bar Olo Wine Bar, a newly opened wine bar in Batavia, NY – a small city buzzing 30 minutes from Buffalo.
Bar Olo is everything a modern wine bar should be: warm, natural, approachable, and just high-end enough to make you feel like you’re treating yourself. And for Rob and team, the only wood that could match that energy was our Benchmark Ash.
“Every aspect of the design was predicated on an elevated, yet approachable aesthetic,” says Rob. “With its first-in-class reputation and natural beauty, it was a no-brainer to go with Benchmark Ash.”
“Elevated yet approachable” – we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Benchmark Ash may look luxurious but make no mistake—it’s built for the real world. That’s thanks to our perfected thermal modification process, which uses only heat and steam to create boards that are:
- Exceptionally durable (25+ years of rot resistance)
- Dimensionally stable (less cupping, warping, or splitting)
- Naturally beautiful (that rich chocolate tone and sleek, straight grain)
- Sustainably sourced (because responsibility never goes out of style)
It’s the kind of wood that holds up under pressure—which, in this case, means the weight of over two dozen full wine bottles on floating shelves.
“Using the 5/4×6 MAX deck boards made the most sense,” Credi said. “They gave us the support we needed without sacrificing aesthetics. Plus, using the same material throughout the space ties everything together with a warm, cohesive look.”
Function Meets Flavor
Bars aren’t just about looks—they’re battlegrounds for durability. Between high heels, furniture, and occasional wine glass mishaps, the materials must earn their keep. Benchmark Ash was up for the challenge.
“We used it for base trim and the fluted wrap on the bar, because it needs to withstand repeated knocks from table and chair legs, so the resilience of the wood was a big influence,” Rob explains.
The Unexpected Joys of Working with Thermory—After Hours
Sure, Rob talks about Thermory all day. But putting the wood to work in his own space was a whole new experience.
“I constantly hear how user-friendly our material is, but experiencing it first-hand was still a revelation,” he said. “Even the contractors—people I’ve known forever—were raving about it.”
There was even room for a first:
“Using our custom Starborn Pro Plugs to hide screws was a cool experience—they added a polished finish that felt high-end.”
The Thermory Flight: If Our Woods Were Wines
Because of course we asked. Rob answered.
- Ash: Damilano “Le Cinquevigne” Barolo – “Our namesake. For those who enjoy the finer things in life.”
- Oak: Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Supérieur – “Classic, old-world, dependable.”
- Radiata Pine: Zardetto Vino Frizzante Private Cuvee (Prosecco) on draft! – “A delightful surprise. Who knew?”
- Scots Pine: Black Station Cabernet or Terranoble Sauvignon Blanc – “The tried-and-true everyday working persons option. Crowd-pleaser.”
- Spruce: Santa Julia ‘El Burro’ Natural Malbec or J. Moreau & Fils Chardonnay – “Rustic and woodsy.”
Now that’s a tasting menu we can get behind.
Rob’s journey proves what we already knew—Benchmark Ash is more than just decking. It’s an opportunity to bring luxury and durability into any space, from backyard escapes to beautifully curated interiors.
Cheers to Rob, Bar Olo Wine Bar, and the beauty of building boldly.
Explore our Benchmark Ash Collection, and visit Bar Olo Wine Bar in Batavia, NY!
