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Valentine Gifts for Wine and Wine Cellar Enthusiasts

VALENTNE GIFTSIn a few days, the world will celebrate Valentine’s Day. Gone are the days when the celebration of the day of hearts was exclusive to couples. These days, people give gifts to their loved ones – parents, siblings, spouses, girlfriends/boyfriends and friends – to express their love and affection.

For the wine and wine cellar enthusiast, it is a bit difficult to think of a wine gift other than the obvious (wine, of course!). There are a lot of gift ideas in the market not just to fit the giver’s budget but to satisfy the receiver. Below are just a few of the possible gift ideas for wine lovers.

 

WINE ACCESSORIES1. Wine Accessories

Corkscrews, corks, decanters, wine glasses, chilling buckets, wineglass charms, and wine bags are just a few gift options for the wine fanatic. A corkscrew can be personalized with the recipient’s initials. Decanters come in many shapes and sizes that cater to varying preferences.

Wine glasses can be stemmed or stemless and usually comes in a set of 4 or 6. A chilling bucket can be simple or elaborate.

Wineglass charms can be plain or a bit fancy. Wine bags that are available on the market can range from tote-style to wheeled and anything in between.

A wine lover can keep some of these accessories in his or her custom wine cellar. Being prepared for any wine tasting event or occasion is important!

 

2. Gift certificates

Gift certificates come in varying denominations and expiration dates. It is important that the giver considers these variations before making the purchase. The farther the expiration date, the better. It is also a bonus if the gift certificate is honored in many establishments or branches of the wine store or commercial wine cellar to give the recipient an array of choices.

 

WINE BOOKS3. Books

Most enthusiasts will want to know more about their field of interest. Books can be a good source of information that a wine enthusiast must know to live up to the label. Bookstores carry many titles on wine; its history, origin, variety, production, and the like.

For beginners in the world of wine who don’t have their own wine storage room and want to have one, maybe a book about  wine cellar design and construction would be a great gift.

 

4. Wine Cellar Club Memberships

Another way of educating oneself about wines is to join a wine club and learn from fellow enthusiasts and wine experts. Wine club memberships come in different forms.

One can join a Red or White wine club, or the region of preference where their favorite wine comes from. Membership in these clubs can give the enthusiast opportunities to experience wine related activities such as wine tasting.

There are also wine club memberships for a knowledgeable wine enthusiast that can help him in the development or improvement of his or her wine cellar.

These are just a few random gift ideas one can give this Valentine’s Day. No matter what your budget is, there is a perfect gift that your wine enthusiast will greatly appreciate. What’s important is the time, effort, and love poured into the gift by the giver.

 

Do you love collecting wines but don’t have a residential wine cellar yet? Why not start your wine cellar project today? Contact Wine Cellar Specialists at http://www.winecellarspec.com/contact/ and their wine cellar and wine rack consultant will help your throughout your project.

New Wine Cellar Cooling Product from CellarPro…

Will It Work For You?

A new product has just been released and it is causing quite a stir.  This is a truly great fully ducted wine cellar cooling system by CellarPro, it is extremely versatile and can be configured to be used in many different ways.  For example, the cooling units can be stacked vertically when floor space is limited; or they can be stacked horizontally when ceiling height is limited; or the evaporator and the condensing unit can be split apart, and the condensing unit even can be placed outdoors, when space or access are limited

This new Wine Cellar Air Handler comes in both the 6500 and the 8500 sizes.  Therefore, these units are meant for larger cellars, up to 1750 cubic feet and up to 2500 cubic feet, respectively, with proper insulation and vapor barrier installed in the wine cellar.  The self-contained (ie Horizontal and Vertical) units are pre-charged and factory set so that they do NOT have to be installed by an HVAC contractor.

There are several different ways these wine cooling systems can be installed:

  • These wine cellar cooling units can be placed horizontally or vertically.
  • They can be used as one unit or separated as a split system.

  • An optional remote digital display is available for use inside or outside the cellar when the units are ducted to and from the cellar.
  • The evaporator can be ducted into and from the cellar with the condenser attached.
  • The evaporator can be split and connected to the evaporator via 2 copper lines.
  • The evaporator could be placed inside the room and connected through the wall to the condenser via 2 copper lines.
  • Each unit is 18.6w x 18.6 d x 19.3 h… so each section is quite large.
  • The condenser can be connected to the evaporator directly.
  • The condenser can be “split” and connected to it via 2 copper lines and be separated up to 100 line ft. away.
  • The units can be ducted to the wine cellar from the evaporator and to the outdoors or another large space from the condenser up to 100 equivalent ft. (50 ft. per duct).
  • The units are also available so that the condenser can be placed indoors or outdoors to temperatures from -20 degrees to 110 degrees when used with the optional low ambient kit.

 

The way you will install your unit must be determined before ordering to receive the correct unit configuration.

 

Optional Humidifiers and Heaters are available that can be installed at the factory upon placing your order.  These must be factory installed and cannot be added later.

The integrated Humidifier is perfect for increasing the humidity level in commercial or residential wine cellars. They are controlled by digital controllers that are mounted inside the wine room and are wired to the humidifier that is mounted to the rear of the Air Handler.  Humidity levels can be set from 5% to 70% in 5% increments.

The 900W integrated Heater is for cellars that are unheated and exposed to conditions below 55 degrees.  When the heater system is added, it is integrated with and controlled by the digital control panel and automatically adds heat or refrigeration based on the temperature inside the cellar.  A safety thermostat provides protection from overheating.

Here is a photo of recent install of an AH6500Sch CellarPro system installed by one of our partner contractors in Memphis, TN.  Located in the attic above the wine cellar the air was ducted to and from the wine cellar.   The hot air was ducted outdoors and the fresh air was received from the fully insulated attic.   The contractor who installed this unit purchased an extra duct collar for the unit. He is currently getting his supply air from the attic. If he finds that the attic gets too hot over the summer, he will change out the grill to the duct collar, adding a duct to the outside for the supply air.

Go here Custom Wine Cellars Memphis to see an example of a CellarPro Wine Cellar Cooling Unit installed is a recent residential wine cellar project.

To find out if this type of system is right for your wine cellar …. Or to see what cooling system is the best type and size for your wine cellar, call Wine Cellar Specialists to have a heat load calculation performed and get a unit recommendation.

Texas: 972-454-0480  Illinois: 773-234-0112 or Toll Free: 866-646-7089

Wine Industry Businesses – Custom Wine Cellars Related – About

As custom wine cellar design and construction specialists, we frequently come across businesses that offer services that we believe are likely to be of particular interest to our clients and customers who have had built or have an interest in custom wine cellars, commercial wine racks, wine displays and wine generally. If fact we have often been asked to provide a list or a recommendation. To that end we have created a Custom Wine Cellars Related Business Listings page.

Please note – Custom Wine Cellars Related Business Listing Disclaimer

The businesses listed at the link above are a mix of companies that we like, do business with ourselves, have been recommended to us or are just simply aware of. A businesses listed on our “Custom Wine Cellars Related Business Listings” page should not be construed as a personal or business recommendation. They are simply there for your convenience and as a way for us to share information with you.

We may or may not have commercial relationships with these companies. We may or may not receive affiliate commissions as a result of your following the links and ultimately purchasing a product or services from them. We can say that if there is an affiliate relationship, it will in no way affect the pricing you receive from that company.

Our criteria for listing a business is that in our opinion we believe the business is relevant to the wine industry and of potential interest to wine lovers, collectors and owners of wine related businesses.

If you are interested in having your business listed, simply email your request to WineCellarBuilders@CustomWineCellarsLosAngeles.com and put “Wine Cellar Specialists – Wine Industry Business Listings” in the title, don’t forget to include a link to your website! We reserve the right to accept or refuse a listing at our discretion.

Custom Wine Cellars – What you need to know about the flooring

Wine Cellar Floors

Floor Preparation

When thinking about the flooring for custom wine cellars, you should remember that as part of a climate controlled room it must be prepared properly. This is an area that some people make the mistake of ignoring when creating a wine cellar in their home. If the floor in your cellar is above ground, you must add the same vapor barrier and insulation that you do to your walls and ceiling. Remember, the wine room must be wrapped up tight like a package. If your floor is on a cement slab which rests on the ground, you can get away with adding a vapor barrier only to the cement before applying your floor covering.

We recommend a product called Bostic’s MVP4. It is a Moisture Vapor Protection that is applied with a trowel and left to dry before adding your floor on top.  It is usually available at your local hardware store. Once the moisture barrier is in place, you can add a plywood base or add your flooring directly on top of the vapor barrier.

Flooring Materials for Custom Wine Cellars

What you use for your actual wine cellar flooring material is up to you, as long as you stay away from anything resembling carpet. Carpet or carpet-like materials can mold or mildew in the higher humidity of a wine cellar. Slate, stone, tiles of many materials are fine in a wine cellar. Be careful of wood flooring unless it has previously been aged in a humid environment.

For a particularly special looking custom wine cellar floor reclaimed wine barrel flooring is an excellent choice and becoming more widely used in wine cellars. It is oak and made by master craftsmen from real oak wine barrels that are between 6 and 50 years old. Because these barrels previously held wine, the wood has already been exposed to extreme humidity levels. The barrels are sent through a process that implements a variety of specialized techniques to create an olde world style product line. The flooring can be glued or nailed over an area that has been prepared with a vapor barrier.

 

Three separate styles are available. The Cooperage flooring is made from the barrel head with all of its patina, cooperage stamps and special markings. The Wine Infusion flooring is made from the inside of the wine barrels where the wood has been naturally stained by the wine during the maturation process. The Stave flooring is created using the outside of the wine barrels. When the outside hoops are removed they leave behind distinctive markings and texture.

The wine barrel flooring is a statement of style and brings the history and aged beauty of wine into the personality of your wine cellar. A real conversation piece, this reclaimed wine barrel product is also available in drop-in ready tabletops and counter-tops.

Cork flooring is another great way to create a wine cellar floor. It is durable and very inexpensive. It is what you call a “floating floor” installation. Cork flooring comes in tongue and groove pieces that snap together and are held in place with a simple molding. Several styles, patterns and colors are available.

Both reclaimed wine barrel flooring and cork flooring are very unique and obvious ways to say “this is my special and unique wine cellar”.

Bistro-de-la-reine Louisiana Commercial Wine Cellars Wine Stores

Check out one of our latest projects in Slidell which is near New Orleans in Louisiana. This Retail Wine Store and Bistro Bar is a great example of what can be done to enhance a Retail Wine Store in to something with character and style. Enjoy the video and visit our Commercial Wine Racks New Orleans Louisiana page.

Commercial Custom Wine Cellars and Racks New Orleans Louisiana – Bistro de la Reine

To Cool or Not to Cool? (my Wine Cellar) That is the Question! #3

Part Three – Custom Wine Cellars and your home value and desirability

A wine cellar can add considerable value as both a practical room and unique feature to set you home apart from others. While the primary purpose of building a custom wine cellar should probably be for your own private enjoyment, it can also increase desirability. Upgrades to homes are important to set them apart. Once only found in the very high end home market, stunning custom wine cellars, are amongst the most nascent additions and ‘must haves’ for the luxury homes mid-market. They are particularly appreciated in large homes situated in upscale neighborhoods.

3. Am I interested in my wine cellar increasing the value of my home or business?

A room with wine racks is a place to store wine bottles for a limited period of time. A climate controlled wine cellar with a Wine Cellar Refrigeration System is a place to store your wine collection for future enjoyment or investment. This type of wine cellar is also a good investment in your home or business…increasing the market value of your property.

Make your Home Stand Out From The Crowd with a Custom Wine Cellar

If you are still unsure whether to add a cooling system to your wine cellar but want to get started with your project, at the very least, prepare the room for the future climate control possibility. Add the proper amount of insulation and a vapor barrier in the walls, floor, and ceiling. (See How To Build Your Wine Cellar)

Do your homework or consult a Wine Cellar Specialist to suggest the best method of cooling your space. Then, add the necessary electrical and drain lines when preparing your walls so that your room is ready, if cooling is added at a later time.