Wine Cellar Checklist: How To Create The Perfect Wine Cellar For Your Home [Infographic]

There are many factors to consider when building a wine cellar. Such as maintaining the right temperature, lighting, and humidity as well as eliminating excessive vibrations, and making sure the cellar is properly ventilated, are crucial to creating the perfect wine cellar.

This infographic from the wine cellar builders at Innovative Saunas and Cellars will show you the steps you can take to bring your wine cellar dream to a reality.

INNOVATIVE SAUNAS AND CELLARS ARE WINE CELLAR BUILDERS WITH IMAGINATION

ENVIOUS WINE CELLARS

You may already have a wine collection or have dreams of starting one. Whether you have a room set aside or a specific space in mind, Innovative has decades of experience with designing wine cellars that fulfill the wishes of our clients and become the envy of our future clients.

Wine is a personal thing. Each lover and collector of wine will have their preferences. Like wine, a cellar is also personal. It is not just about pleasure and storing your best vino correctly. A cellar adds character and style to a home. Naturally, a cellar should also be a reflection of your unique requirements, both practical and aesthetic.

Your unique taste in wine will determine the technical requirements of your cellar. Our team will assist you with the correct size of racks to suit your bottles. The appropriate storage space and creating the ideal temperature and humidity are crucial for preserving your favorite wines. 

With the practical aspects taken care of, the magic begins. This is when we work together to create your unique showcase. If you desire something classic that exudes established elegance, we offer Walnut, White Oak, and Sapele wood. These options are available in a wide range of shades from airy to somber espresso.

Our wood selection is specifically chosen to strike the best balance between style and longevity. A good wine cellar wood must be able to last in a humid and slightly chilly environment, while at the same time reflecting the look and feel of your vision.

If you prefer a more modern angle, we are equally adept at working with glass or combinations of glass and wood. We are innovators and we love a challenge. If your imagination is going towards something outside of the box, we would love to make it happen for you.

As wine lovers ourselves, we wanted to take our service a step further. Innovative also offers a comprehensive Sommelier service through Hermes Ortiz Wine Consulting services. Hermes is certified by the USSA Sommelier Association and has established wine contacts across the globe.

Our Sommelier service includes consulting on cellar stocking, wine investment and education, as well as wine tasting events.

We are wine cellar builders that work seamlessly under any design circumstances. We work with architects, designers, builders, or you. We can be involved in your process as much as your needs require.

Is your heart saying “I want one!”?  Contact Us today.

Infographic Transcript:

Wine Cellar Checklist: How to create the perfect wine cellar for your home.

TEMPERATURE

Wine needs to be stored at a specific temperature. The best is around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with minimal fluctuations. That means the temperature needs to stay constant. If it starts to cross 60 degrees, it can start deteriorating the wine, at an exponential level for each additional degree.

HUMIDITY

Humidity is another item to consider and it needs to stay around 70% humidity to keep the cork expanded and as air-tight as possible. It also helps the cork from drying out which can lead to other complications as well.

LIGHTING

Light and UV rays can prematurely age wine, and not all wines can last very long. Having the space where the wine storage will happen should be constantly dark, with minimal lighting only to view and select a wine, and then turn off the lights once again.

VIBRATIONS

Excessive vibrations can seriously damage your wine during storage. Vibrations can also disturb the sediment in your wine bottle. They can also cause long-term damage by agitating your wine repeatedly and possibly speeding up any chemical reactions occurring during the aging process.



VENTILATION

It is recommended that the cellars have a ventilation system that guarantees the circulation of air inside.

There are three different types of cooling systems to choose from to make sure that your wine cellar is properly ventilated.

SELF CONTAINED COOLING SYSTEM

One end of the system blows cool air in to the cellar, and the other end absorbs heat from the cellar and exhausts the heat into an area adjacent to the cellar. Self-contained units will make more noise than a split or ducted system.

SPLIT COOLING SYSTEM

The Split System is often the most efficient way to cool a cellar. Cooling unit condensers are typically noisy and require significant space for ventilation, in most cases the cellar location does not include an area for these functions. By splitting the cooling system, the condenser can be placed in a space better suited for heat and noise dissipation while the quiet evaporator is inside, or near, the cellar. A licensed HVAC/R technician is required for the installation.

DUCTED COOLING SYSTEM

A ducted system has more installation options than a self-contained system. The unit may be installed up to 25 ducted feet from the cellar, with the cool air flowing to the cellar and the heat exhaust ducted to the outside of the home.

A wine cellar cooling system is a must have, and whether you decide to go with a self contained cooling system, split cooling system, or ducted cooling system, Innovative Saunas and Cellars has the right fit for you.

Innovative Saunas And Cellars’ Featured Modern Wine Cellar [Boca Raton, Florida]

Every wine collector knows the value of a wine cellar. Having an organized collection that can be shown off is simply not enough - your collection needs to be maintained and preserved optimally in order to obtain its full value. 

A wine cellar is a necessity, and not just for the rich and famous, but for every avid collector.

Why would you need a wine cellar?

Wine, in general, is super sensitive to fluctuating temperatures, and storing your wine in an uncontrolled environment is doing it more harm than good. Temperature and humidity are essential factors that contribute towards the proper aging and maturity of the wine. 

A wine cellar that is built optimally will control both of these factors, and ensure that your wine is not affected by moisture which ultimately creates a perfect breeding environment for mold. 

A little-known fact is that having a wine cellar actually saves you money. Think about the possibility of buying wine in bulk at discounted rates because you have a proper storage facility. And your enthusiasm becomes expertise because you are bound to gain knowledge about when the wines in your cellar are at their peak. 

No longer do you need to run out every time you have guests over, just pick the perfect wine for the occasion. The pleasure of being able to show off your wine collection with the beautiful aesthetics of a stunning wine cellar is one aspect that most enthusiasts pride above the rest. And with incredibly built cellars like ours, it is easy to see why your wine cellar can become not just the perfect environment for your wine, but a haven for you to escape to as well.

Improve the quality of your wine

Even just good wine will get better as it ages if you give it the treatment that it deserves. Under the right conditions like temperature, humidity, light, and minimal vibration, your wine matures with better flavor, aroma, and even complexion. 

The best wines are a result of consistency in all these areas, as well as proper storage with regular maintenance. Smells and odors are also an inherent part of any home, and these can permeate through corks and into your wine and alter its quality. Having a dedicated space, either your basement or any other specified area that can be used to create a wine cellar protects your wine and ensures its longevity.

Connoisseurs in every field are bound to be able to talk about their passion for hours, but even in this case, few can compare to the ardor in wine collectors. Something that every collector should want and have is a physical expression of their love for wine. 

This isn't shown in a display on the kitchen cupboard, but rather in a dedicated and defined space that is functional and oozes personality and character. Having a reputable cellar to store your wine is even more important than spending money on wine that could be spoiled if you don't take proper care of it.

Everything has its place in your home, and your wine collection should be no exception. If you're looking for a modern, contemporary design for your wine cellar, you're in the right place. 

From their perfect placement to optimal temperature and humidity control systems, our wine cellars are perfectly designed to meld style, sophistication, and practicality. Our innovative modern wine cellar builders are experts when it comes to building your cellar and can create the perfect space to store and preserve your wine. 

Tips for wine cellars and storage

• Location

If you're serious about your wine, picking the right spot in your home to build your cellar is crucial. The space needs to be climate controlled. A basement makes an excellent location because it ticks all the boxes, but any area can be modified to build the perfect home for your wine.

• Light and vibration

Your wine cellar will ideally be placed in an area that has minimal movement and vibrations. In addition to this, wine must be stored away from light that is too bright. 

• Wine cellar door

The door needs to be strong and well insulated. Ideally, there should be no windows in your cellar, but if there are, they should be well sealed and covered. 

• Store bottles correctly

Corked wine is stored horizontally to prevent the corks from drying out. Although you can store your bottles as you'd like, horizontal storage takes up less space, is better for organization, and allows for easier access. 

• Regular Maintenance

Your wine cellar needs to be maintained regularly, and this means wiping the bottles down with a dry cloth and checking for leakages, damage, or mold.

Feature cellar

This modern, sleek wine cellar has all the attributes of what a cellar should be, with a few added extras. Built-in Boca Raton, Florida, it encompasses durability and functionality with sturdy metal frames encased in a beautiful glass structure. 

Perfectly designed to make the most of the room that it is built-in, the cellar offers functionality, flair, and ambiance. This active-cooled cellar uses an automated cooling system that keeps temperature and humidity at optimum levels to ensure that you get the best flavor and aroma out of your wine. 

The wine rack was created to afford superior organization and presentation. Reducing the need to sift through all your bottles when searching for your ideal vintage. Contemporary floor tiles complement the natural decor while ensuring that no moisture settles in. 

Set on a simple but elegant backdrop in natural tones of cream and black, the cellar is visible from all angles through tempered safety dual-paned glass that is coated in UV coating to prevent any unwanted light. The streamlined design is sophisticatedly accentuated with metal frames to complete this clean, minimalist look. 

The doors are secured with airtight seals and accomplish two purposes. Firstly, no air gets into the unit, and, secondly, the performance of the cooling unit is not affected. The wine cellar is complete with luxurious seating for both style and comfort, making this an ideal location for an escape with a book and your favorite glass of red or white. 

Planning and building a wine cellar

Our expert team of wine cellar builders will plan, design, and build your wine cellar according to your specifications, and make the most of any space that you have to turn into an ideal location for your cellar. 

Regardless of whether you are located in a humid or dry area, our cooling units can accommodate any need to make the perfect space adaptable to the perfect environment. We have the knowledge to bring out the best in your wine and will go the extra mile to give you advice not just on your cellar, but also on wine in general.

This is because, as sommeliers, we combine our love for all things wine with our extensive knowledge of wine storage facilities to bring you a service unlike any other.

A well-curated wine cellar incorporates the best vintages across price ranges from the best wine regions in the world. From South Africa to Italy and France, we can indulge every desire with our in-depth knowledge. 

We're expert Sommeliers and have years of experience in sourcing the best wines at the best prices. Starting or adding to your collection is as simple as reaching out to us, and we will do the rest.