Are you building a custom home, or maybe you want to repurpose space in your existing home for a wine cellar. You may be asking yourself: wine fridge or wine cellar? Well, obviously, a cellar. But, how will you ensure that the 2006 Domaine Drouhin pinot and the 1993 Pepperbridge cab will stay unharmed from temperature fluctuations but also live in a beautiful room befitting of the home?
We’ve built many wine cellars for clients, and each is different. Of course, the eye-candy is the cellar design, whether traditional with deliciously ornate ironwork or something more contemporary in stone backdrop and low backlight highlighting the rows of bottles – CCH has a lot of fun with these rooms. But, there are a few things to be aware of during the build.
Temperature is the most obvious, and let’s face it, the most crucial part of your wine cellar. Temperature fluctuations make the cork expand and contract, which allows air into the wine – “Danger Will Robinson.” Go the extra mile and insulate your cellar for that additional protection. Basement or not, it helps seal the room to keep that essential cool air. However, that coolness can also lead to mold growth. With that, we speak a lot about ‘vapor barriers.’ What does that mean? At it’s most simple, a vapor barrier protects from mold growth inside your walls. We all love the science of oenology, especially when we take part in the drinking of it, but we don’t want a science experiment of mold growth among your beautiful wine.
Choosing the right cooling unit is also an important consistent temperature. Many options allow for cellar installations, both small and large. Depending on your wine collection, it might even be worth installing multiple units. A cool 55 degrees is a good rule of thumb for the storing of both red and white wines. But, some experts even suggest storing at different temperatures. And, you may also want another small wine fridge inside the cellar for a wine that may need colder storage.
Whether just starting to plan for your future cellar or looking to convert a now-abandoned storage closet in your basement, we have the expertise and knowledge of wine cellars to facilitate your vision.