Custom Wine Cellars

A bespoke wine cellar is a great way to store and age your favorite wines. It keeps your wine in its best condition and adds a touch of sophistication to any home. Building a cellar requires careful planning and consideration. Factors like climate control, insulation and storage space can affect wine quality. Design experts can help create the perfect environment for storing your wine collection. Are you an avid collector or want to enjoy your favorite bottle of wine at its peak? Investing in a custom-built wine cellar will ensure you get the most out of every sip.

Custom Wine Cellar Design Considerations

When designing a wine cellar for your home or private club, there are many factors to consider. 

Size
The ideal size of your cellar depends on a few variables:

Collection size: The space needed depends on how many bottles you store. A space of around 25 square feet fits up to 500 bottles. Creative racking solutions give you more storage with less space.  

Cellar purpose: If the aim is storage only, you will need less space. Including a tasting or entertainment area adds to the square footage.  

Available space: Consider the size of the room or area you'll be using. Custom cellars can fit any space, from a spare room to a basement. 

Collector type: An avid wine collector needs more space than a casual enthusiast. Consider the kind of collector you are and how you would like to display your collection. 

Budget
Your budget influences your cellar's size, materials, finishes and extra features. When building a luxury wine cellar, it is worth paying for quality. The materials used must be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. There is more to cost than the size of the cellar. Creating an ideal environment to store your collection is an investment.

Cellar Location
An ideal location for your cellar is cool, dry and dark. Basements often make excellent cellars due to their protection from the elements. If you think you need a basement, think again. Wine cellar innovations have come far and experts can turn any room into a home for your collection. The key is controlling the temperature and humidity.

Additional Wine Cellar Features

The secret to storing and aging your wine collection is creating the ideal environment. To get the most out of your cellar, consider adding the following features: 

Cooling
Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial. Cooling units, or refrigerators, help do this. It helps to understand the different types of cooling systems offered:

Through-the-wall: These self-contained units mount through a hole in the cellar wall. You'll need space on the other side of the wall for the unit to vent exhaust and condensation. This is a good option for simplicity, style and functionality at an affordable price. 

Ductless split: This space-saving system features separate condenser and evaporator units. Unlike ducted systems, ductless units don't connect to your HVAC ductwork. Instead, they connect to the wall or through the wall.

Ductless ceiling mount: This is similar to a ductless split system but mounted to the ceiling. When there's limited space, ceiling-mounted units are a great solution. Air conditioners are not recommended for cooling wine. The irregular cooling rate affects the wine and removes humidity from the air.

Lighting
The right lighting showcases your collection, but the wrong kind can impact the wine. Heat-producing lights can wreak havoc on the room's climate. UV light can cause a phenomenon known as “light strike,” which changes the flavor and aroma of specific wines. Reputable cellar fabricators, like Cellarium, know the best low-UV lighting options. 

Humidity
Humidity control is part of protecting your wine and creating the ideal environment. Air quality can alter the cork — if the air is too dry, the cork can shrink. When air gets into the bottle, wine becomes vinegar. Too much moisture in the air invites mold and mildew. Cellarium works with HVAC contractors to install the best climate control solutions. These systems keep temperature and humidity at optimum levels. 

All our luxury wine cellars are custom-built and provide the highest racking versatility. Every cellar features custom details, finishes, climate control and more. Let us consider every aspect of your dream wine cellar so you can sit back and enjoy your collection. Our design team provides you with a complete 3D rendering of your wine cellar before installation so you're assured it meets your standards. Contact us for a consultation, or click an image above to scroll through some of our projects.

Common Wine Cellar Questions and Answers

Do you have a question that isn't answered below? Email us today: doncochranwci@gmail.com