Inside Josh Cellars founder’s $4.25M Cape Cod estate featuring a secret wine room, chef’s kitchen, and serene Scargo Lake access.
For a buyer who loves to entertain—especially with wine—the perfect house just might be one built by a winemaker and winery owner.
In 2012, Joseph Carr, founder of Josh Cellars in California and Joseph Carr Winery, established roots with his wife Dee in Dennis, MA, a town in Cape Cod.
The home, now for sale for $4,250,000 and listed with Katie Clancy of William Raveis Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, features enough space to host a grand wine tasting, whether on the expansive lawn or in the home’s “secret” wine room.
The owners' art collection features prominently throughout the home, which was built in 2012. (Alex Loer Photograpy) 
The home's covered porch is large and spacious enough to host several small groups. (Alex Loer Photograpy) 
A La Cornue range from France is among the luxuries in this home's chef-grade kitchen. (Alex Loer Photograpy) 
Rhino white marble imported from Namibia adorns the primary bath for a spa-like retreat. (Alex Loer Photography) No luxury was spared decking out the 6,087-square-foot home. This includes King’s pine flooring throughout, accents of Italian Carrara marble. In the kitchen is a a custom La Cornue range from France. Rhino white marble imported from Namibia adorns the primary bath, which is "almost blindingly white".
"Joe came from humble roots. He was just a regular guy. He worked his way up, as a sommelier," says Clancy. Josh Cellars was named after his late father.
Located in Dennis Village along Scargo Lake, on the historic Route 6A, what makes the house stand apart, says Clancy, is that it eschews typical Nantucket architecture in favor of a bolder, more unique aesthetic.
Designed by Mark Zebrat and built by Gable Building—both are in nearby Chatham—the goal was for it to look more like New York City and the Hudson River Valley than coastal Connecticut.
“This house has a soul. On Cape Cod, we have these houses that are gray and white—ice-cold, clean, almost clipped—it’s just so sterile,” says Clancy.
"We get tired of them. Joe and Dee really took a chance. They built that when this gray-and-white trend was really peaking. They went in a different direction.
"You have this big, big house but you have all these cozy little spaces."
For example, on the lower level is a hang-out spot with leather couches and a pool table; and a two-sided fireplace is shared by the primary bedroom and ensuite bath.
On the lower level is ample room for a more casual, intimate hang-out spot like this billiards room with a bar. (Alex Loer Photography) 
Owned by the founder of a winery, this home features a secret wine room. (Alex Loer Photography) Additions to the property since it was built include a new two-car garage spanning two stories with an office and bath on the second floor.
"Another family might use [the garage] for a playroom or overflow guests," says Clancy.
Access to Scargo Lake—for fishing or swimming—is via a winding path through the woods, and Dennis’ bayside beaches are nearby.
"The whole space opens out to the lake. They could have built it anywhere on the Cape but they decided to build on the lake," says Clancy. "Sharks are an actual thing on Cape Cod. We’ve had people come to look at the house deliberately and say, ‘I’d like to be able to walk in the water and with my biggest worry being a turtle, not a shark.’"
Outdoor living and entertaining are in abundance, as that’s what the Carrs often did. There’s an outdoor couch, seating for 10 to dine outdoors, a sunken hot tub and a fire pit encircled by eight Adirondack chairs.
Many interested buyers are already familiar with the region, either as homeowners or through frequent visits.
“They love the Cape,” she says.
“The people who have responded the most to [the house]—and this warms Joe’s heart—are families to make sure their recently adulted children come back and visit. We had one family who wanted to put three generations in the house,.
"It is (also) their forever home. Everybody’s who’s looked at it has said, ‘This is where I want to settle.’”