For wine connoisseurs, wine is an considered part of their lives, not only a kind of beverage to be served at dinners or parties. This is why many wine collectors in California want to ensure that they have a storage place at home that will provide their prized vintages the perfect conditions and easy access. Some even choose sophisticated wine storage solutions or luxurious designs, even if it means going beyond their budget.
Both the ideal storage environment and luxurious appeal of your collection’s resting place can be achieved by having your custom wine cellar built by an expert. Wine cellars are designed to store wines until they are mature enough to be drunk. The older the wine, the more complex the aromas and flavors it will release.
Nowadays, most residential wine cellars in California are built not only with essential components for proper wine preservation, but also with cutting-edge design. For those who are planning to add a wine cellar to their home or are considering renovating an existing wine room, here are some popular wine cellar ideas that you can take note of.
Closet Wine Cellars
If you don’t have a big room to convert into a refrigerated custom wine cellar, this should not hinder you from having your dream wine cellar at home. With the creative hands and extensive experience of your chosen wine cellar builder, even a small closet can be transformed into an impressive walk-in wine cellar that can be the envy of your friends.
Since the main goal is to achieve the ideal temperature of 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels of 50-70 percent, it is recommended that a suitable wine cooling system is installed. If your closet is small, a cooling system of lower cooling capacity would ideally control the climate in the room, and vice versa.
For the wine rack system of small closet wine cellars, modular wine racking systems are commonly used. Some modular wine racks come with built-in tasting table top and stemware storage. An important thing to keep in mind when purchasing modular wine racks is to make sure that they suit the dimensions of your closet, or else your beautiful wine storage closet will turn into a mess.
For wine collectors who have bigger space and want more unique appeal, custom wine racking is more preferable. Customizing wine racks allows your own creativity and style to be incorporated into your wine cellar.
Basement Wine Cellars
Basement Wine Storage Room
Stacking wine in just area of the house such as in kitchen cabinets, drawers, boxes, or under the sink will ruin it. Wine needs to be stored in a dark, cool, and humid place. Proper wine storage conditions allow for graceful aging of wine. When aged properly, wine is more flavorful and the aromas it releases are desirable.
If you are considering building a wine cellar at home, your basement is considered the most ideal place for storage. Why? Because the humidity levels in the basement are more consistent and basements have less or no direct contact with sunlight.
A basement wine cellar can be “passive,” or naturally cooled. It uses the underground temperature (depending on where you live and the season) to control temperature fluctuations.
In the summer, heat gained through the foundation of a naturally-cooled wine room can be a problem. Some modern home owners add a heating system or a few appliances in their passive wine storage in the basement. Doing so can increase the temperature in the room and pose danger to the wines stored in it.
An active wine cellar in the basement is cooled using a wine cooling system. Compared to a passive wine cellar, a climate-controlled wine cellar is highly recommended to give complete control of the temperature and humidity level in the room. This will keep the cork moist, preventing spoilage of your valuable wines.
While installing a cooling unit is another expense, keeping your wine safe all the time will save you money in the long run.
Wine Cellar with a Home Tasting Bar
There are many inspiring wine cellar ideas that you can use to add aesthetic appeal to your home. One of these is to build a wine cellar that has multiple functions. For example, if you’re planning to renovate your spacious dining area, you can transform it into an elegant wine storage and a tasting bar.
Wine Cellar with Tasting Bar
You can even request your wine cellar designer to incorporate some special features, such as a stemware storage rack where you can hang the wine glasses, a cigar humidor, and a lot more. You may also want a “green” feature in your wine cellar such as reclaimed oak wine barrel flooring, tabletops, and wine racking. Another elegant piece of art that you can use is a wine barrel carving, which is a trend in many residential wine cellars in California.
Since wine is perishable, it is important to install a cooling unit in your dining area. Elegance and proper wine storage must go together to prevent waste of investment.
Useful Wine Cellar Tips to Keep in Mind
The wine rack styles that you want to use should be based on the size of the room and the ambiance that you want to create in your wine cellar. You can opt for semi-custom wine racks which are readily built. These wine rack kits include wine rectangular bins, diamond bins, curved corner racks, and a lot more.
For those who want a fully-customize residential wine cellar, you must discuss all your specific wine storage needs, requirements, budget, and the overall look that you want your wine room to have during the design phase.
It is also vital to determine the material for your wine racks. Wooden wine storage racks are sturdy and very appealing. Metal wine racks are known for their durability. They are sleek, making them ideal for a contemporary home. Your choice of wine rack design and material should depend on the existing décor of your home, size of your collection, and room and budget.
Elegant Wooden Wine Cellar Racking
Contemporary Metal Wine Racking
Whatever type of wine cellar you want to have or wherever it is located, a wine cellar refrigeration system should be installed to regulate the two most important factors in proper wine preservation: temperature and humidity.
Let a Wine Cellar Expert Bring Your Wine Cellar Ideas into Reality
Wine Cellars by Coastal has been in the wine cellar industry for several years, designing and installing wine cellars in and around California. Their aim is to provide their clients the efficient and state-of-the-art wine storage solution.
They will ensure that the essential components of your wine cellar such as the climate-control system, wine racking, flooring, door and lighting are installed properly for you to be worry-free about your wine’s safety.
Wine Cellars by Coastal Creates Stellar Wine Cellar Designs
Learn more about Coastal has to offer by visiting their website at http://www.winecellarsbycoastal.com/ or request for a FREE 3D wine cellar design.