Quicklinks
- What is a Wine Cellar?
- Wine Cellar Location
- Wine Cooling Units
- Important Factors to Consider
- Wine Cellar Ideas
- Buy Wine Cellar Cooling Units
Have you ever thought about building your own wine cellar? Do you have a huge wine collection and thought about upgrading your wine storage? Or are you planning to start one but don’t know how to begin?
If you’ve answered ‘’yes’’ to any of these questions, then you‘ve come to the right place. Whether you want to add value to your home, showcase your entire collection in one place, host your own “wine tasting’’ event, or simply want to improve and produce high-quality wine, all you need is a wine cellar.
Whatever your goal is, we will help you make the wine cellar of your dreams come to reality. We’ve put together a list of things to consider to help you get started and we’re excited to share with you a few custom wine cellar ideas at the end of this article.
What is a Wine Cellar?
A wine cellar is a room for properly storing wine bottles or barrels to cultivate the best flavors and aroma over time. The purpose of wine cellars is to protect the quality of the wines from changes in temperature, humidity, vibration, and light exposure to avoid spoilage and ruining the flavor. To ensure your wines age to their optimal conditions, you must store them in a room with the ideal temperature and humidity levels as these factors can make or break the quality and market value of your wines.
2 Types of Wine Cellars
Before building a wine cellar, it’s necessary to understand the differences between these two types of wine cellars which will be briefly discussed below. Additionally, a DIY wine cellar can be a cost-effective and customizable option, allowing you to tailor the size and materials, such as water-resistant drywall, to suit your collection and storage needs.
1. Passively Cooled Wine Cellars
Passively Cooled Wine Cellars are built-in rooms that are usually found in temperate climates, basements, and underground spaces that are naturally humid and cool.
Pros: A practical solution for wine storage, cheaper to build and maintain, you don’t have to worry about power outages, and most importantly they are environment-friendly.
Cons: Since we have no control over the weather, outdoor temperature and humidity changes naturally occur and might degrade the quality of your wines.
Actively Cooled Wine Cellars are cellars that use a climate-controlled system such as a wine cooling unit and proper insulation to help maintain the ideal temperature, humidity, and other factors at all times. Using the best wine cellar insulation, like closed cell foam, is crucial as it effectively controls humidity and eliminates the need for an additional vapor barrier. If you don’t have a naturally cool subterranean space or live in a place that is too hot or too cold, then you have to invest in wine coolers to save your wines from temperature fluctuations.
Pros: The best solution to maintain wine quality, temperature, and humidity swings are effectively managed and controlled.
Cons: Expensive to build and maintain, installation of systems and insulation can cost you thousands of dollars, and quite complex to build since you need to consider where you’ll put electrical outlets and what kind of wine cooling unit would work best for your space.
Planning and Preparation
Assessing Your Space
Before you start building your wine cellar, it’s crucial to assess the space where you plan to install it. The size of the room, its location, and existing conditions all play a significant role in the success of your project. Ideally, a basement or a room with a consistent temperature and humidity level is perfect for a wine cellar. Make sure the space is free from direct sunlight, vibrations, and unpleasant odors, as these can negatively impact your wine collection.
Take a thorough look at the area for any air, light, or water leaks. Addressing these issues beforehand is essential to create an optimal environment for your wines. Ensuring the space is well-sealed and insulated will help maintain the ideal conditions for wine storage. By carefully assessing and preparing your space, you’ll set a solid foundation for your home wine cellar.
Budgeting and Cost Considerations
Building a wine cellar is a significant investment, so setting a realistic budget is essential. The cost of materials, equipment, and labor can vary widely depending on the size of the cellar, the quality of finishes, and the complexity of the design. When budgeting, consider the cost of wine racks, cooling units, insulation, and doors, as well as any necessary electrical or plumbing work.
A basic wine cellar can cost between $5,000 to $20,000, while a custom wine cellar can cost upwards of $50,000 or more. It’s important to factor in all potential expenses to avoid any surprises down the line. By planning your budget carefully, you can ensure that your wine cellar project stays on track and within your financial means.
Wine Cellar Location
The first step when planning to build your own wine cellar storage is to find a good location.
A wine cellar basement is the best choice since it’s easier to keep a consistent temperature humidity, and is isolated from other factors such as direct light and vibrations. A wine cellar under the stairs sounds lovely, however, people often use the stairs causing vibrations. So, think about what matters to you the most when deciding where to put your wine cellar.
Avoid insulated rooms and garages–they’re designed for cars, not wines, so it’s better to avoid those kinds of spaces. Never build your wine cellar in an area where power or mechanical problems often occur. It is also crucial to use an exterior grade door, at least 1 ¾ inches thick, to maintain the ideal controlled environment inside the cellar.
You may consult with a wine cellar design specialist or contractor to build your wine cellar, as they can help you choose components that will complement your style and blend in with the rest of your space.
Wine Cooling Units
Temperature and humidity fluctuations are inevitable and can massively affect the quality of your wines. Remember that temperature control should be your top priority when it comes to building a wine cellar. The ideal temperature for wine storage is between 45-65°F and relative humidity of 50-70%, which a wine cooling system can provide and maintain.
We found the best wine cellar cooling units available in the market and we highly recommend these brands:
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Breezaire Wine Cellar Coolers
- WhisperKOOL Wine Cellar Cooling Systems
- CellarCool Wine Room Cooling Units
Not sure what kind of wine cellar cooling unit you need? Here’s a very helpful guide to enlighten you in finding the best wine cooler cellar unit for your wine cellar: 9 Best Wine Cellar Cooling Units
Installation Type
Once you know how much space your wine cellar requires, selecting a wine cooling system that fits the size of your cellar and the kind of installation will be easy. These are the types of cooling systems:
1. Ductless Split Systems
Ductless Split Wine Cellar Cooling Units are the most efficient because they can easily cool your cellars. The condenser and evaporator are split. They are often noisy and need a lot of space for ventilation. This is a cost-effective solution for large, modern wine cellars because it doesn't require any in-wall construction. If you just have a small home wine cellar, this is a more expensive solution.
2. Ducted Split Systems
Ductless Split Wine Cooler Units provide you complete control over the wine cellar temperature and wine storage humidity levels through ducts. One of the advantages of a ducted system is that it can be placed up to 25 feet away from your cellar, reducing noise and vibrations while also leaving more space, depending on the installation.
3. Through-the-Wall Wine Cooling Systems (Self-Contained)
Through-the-Wall Wine Cellar Cooling Units (self-contained) are the easiest to install. It's just like installing an air conditioner in your wine cellar. They are also very affordable and have temperature and humidity controls built in. This wine cellar air conditioner works best in small cellars.
4. Fully Ducted - Self Contained Wine Cooling Systems
Fully Ducted - Self Contained Wine Cellar Cooling Systems have flexible installation options compared to self-contained systems. They can be installed up to 25 feet away from the cellar, allowing the cool air to flow into the cellar and the heat exhaust ducted outside. Noise can be eliminated with this type of system, depending on the installation.
5. Cabinet Cooling Systems
Cabinet cooling systems or wine cabinet coolers have a compact design to fit wine cabinets, wine cellar cabinets, modern wine closets, closet wine cellars, and other constricted enclosures.
Building and Construction
Proper framing and insulation are critical components of a wine cellar. Using the right materials and techniques will help maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level, essential for preserving your wine collection. For the walls, use 2x6 framing lumber, and for the ceiling, use 2x10 framing lumber. This allows for thicker insulation with a higher R-value, which is crucial for a wine cellar.
Closed-cell foam insulation is an excellent option for a wine cellar, as it is impermeable to water, vapor, and air. Ensure that the insulation is installed correctly, and consider adding a vapor barrier to prevent moisture buildup. A minimum of R-19 insulation in the walls and R-30 in the ceiling is recommended to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level. By paying attention to framing and insulation, you’ll create an environment that protects and preserves your wine collection for years to come.
Important Factors to Consider
1. Temperature
As previously stated, the best temperature for keeping wines in prime condition is between 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything that goes beyond that range speeds up the aging process, causes oxidation, and compromises the flavor and aroma of wines.
Since wines are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, it's important to keep them at a consistently cool storage temperature, which a wine cooling unit can efficiently do.
2. Humidity
Humidity control is crucial for proper wine storage because humidity levels have a significant impact on the corks. When the humidity level is low, the corks can dry up prematurely, allowing large amounts of air molecules to enter the bottle and deteriorate the quality of the wine as a result. If the humidity level is too high, it can damage the corks and can cause mold to grow.
To avoid these from happening, your wine storage should be maintained best at around a humidity level of 50-70 percent.
3. Light
If your wine bottles are exposed to an intense, direct light source, a chemical reaction can occur which can “cook” and alter the wine’s flavor. Wines are reactive and vulnerable to lighting, especially light-bodied ones. So, the lighter the wine, the more care you should take when storing them.
The types of lights to avoid:
- Direct sunlight
- Electric fluorescent
- UV lighting
It’s best to keep them away from harsh lights and store them in a dark, dry place to preserve their quality. You may also safeguard wine bottles by storing them in double-layered glass with UV protection. However, if you want to add some glow and ambiance into your wine cellar, you must pick the right type of lighting such as dimmable LED lights because they emit very little heat and can be dimmed when needed.
4. Vibration
Did you know that vibrations can ruin a wine’s aging process?
Vibrations can disrupt the sediments at the bottom causing chemical reactions when mixed with the liquid, which can alter the taste of the wine. Store your wines away from huge machines, noisy appliances, and doors to keep the bottles from shaking.
Natural calamities such as earthquakes are uncontrollable. However, you can prevent these vibrations by padding your wine cellar and storing the bottles in sturdy wine racks to keep them safe.
5. Wine Cellar Insulation and Other External Factors and Hazards
Other external factors to consider are security and safety standards like theft protection, fire prevention, and so on.
A secure and well-insulated wine cellar door is crucial to protect against external hazards and maintain the ideal temperature and humidity for wine storage.
If you want to learn more about proper wine storage, here are the best-storing tips and advice you could get.
Wine Cellar Ideas
Now that you've figured out the essential requirements for building a wine cellar, it's time to choose your style. There are 3 styles of wine cellars to choose from: Traditional, Modern, and Transitional.
Traditional Wine Cellar
If you love warm tones, natural stones, wood floors, bricks, wood wine racks, rolling ladders, barrel ceilings, and basements with exquisite details, then choose a traditional style.
Modern Wine Cellar
If you enjoy a clean, sleek look for your wine cellar, built with stainless steel, metal wine racks, stainless steel wine racks, and glass walls, then go for the modern style.
It is crucial to use wine cellar doors that are specifically designed for wine cellars to maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels.
For modern wine racks, check out Ultra Wine Racks.
Transitional Wine Cellar
If you want a combination of both, then you’ll definitely love the transitional style. This style is a hybrid of the best features of both modern and traditional wine cellar design.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to design, we all have our own preferences. Determine which wine cellar style best suits you based on your desired qualities, features, and needs for your wine cellar. Hope this article helped you and provide you with some inspiration for building a wine cellar.
Buy Wine Cellar Cooling Systems on SALE at Wine Coolers Empire!
Wine Coolers Empire is your authorized and trusted dealer of the best wine cellar cooling units, wine racks, and wine coolers from leading brands like WhisperKOOL, Breezaire, CellarCool, and Ultra Wine Racks. Buy now!
Feel free to contact us or call us at +1-888-407-7770 for inquiries.