Category Archives: wine cellar builders

Facts About Wines Stored in Your Chicago Wine Cellar

Wine seems as old as time, but I have only recently become fascinated by it. It was not something that I planned, but let’s just say that I stumbled upon it and started to get curious. As with other things that took my fancy, I read up on wine and found many interesting facts that fueled my fascination and enthusiasm leaving me awed and amazed.

Wines are not just bottles filled with intoxicating liquid resting in one’s Chicago custom wine cellar. There is more to wine than what we usually see. Here are some interesting facts about wine:

1. Dionysius, a Greek god, is said to be the god of wine, agriculture, and fertility of nature. He is also Bacchus in Roman mythology.

2. Red wines are fermented with the skin of the grapes which gives the liquid its red hue. White wines are made from grapes without their skins.

3. Foot treading of grapes is still done to produce small amounts of port wine.

4. Wine is said to have medicinal value. It helps in the control of high blood pressure if a glass is taken daily. However, there is an increased incidence of developing certain forms of cancer.

5. Oak barrels are used to store wine. One oak barrel can last for years.

6. Most wines produced today are ready to drink and do not require aging. Very few (and expensive) wines are aged these days and reserved for special occasions. Those wine which are aged are stored in wine cellars or wine cabinets equipped with modern cooling systems.

7. Wines in weddings symbolize fertility and life of plenty. These are the basic wishes people have for the newlyweds.

8.The word “aroma” is used to describe the scent of a young wine. “Bouquet” is used to describe the scent of a mature or aged wine.

9. Wine that tastes watery is said to be diluted. It is believed that the grapes used for watery wine were harvested during the rainy season.

10. A wineglass is held by the stem to prevent the palm from warming the liquid in the glass.

11. There is nothing one can gather from smelling the cork. The cork is examined after opening the wine to check for molds or dryness of the cork. This will indicate if the wine was stored properly in the wine cellar, hence, maintaining the quality and superior taste.

12. In the old times, the host of any gathering takes the first sip before serving the wine to guests to check if the wine is poisoned.

13. The combination of type of soil, climate, sunlight, and slope affects the grapes grown in a particular region. These are the factors that make each grape varietal unique.

14. Red wines are served with red meat while white wines are paired with white meat and fish. Sweet wines are served with dessert.

15. Climate change is slowly affecting the wine industry in the current popular wine regions.

16. A wine cellar door both refers to the entry of a wine cellar and a winery’s tasting room.

17. Wine tasting is a tourist attraction in itself in most wine regions, not only for enthusiasts but also for those who are curious and willing to learn something new.

These are just few of the interesting wine facts I have come across as I read about my new favorite topic these days. I can see that there are more interesting facts that will catch my attention and fascinate me more. I may even start filling up a wine rack or a wine cabinet to start my own collection.

The Best Wine Storage Solution for You – Contact a Wine Cellar Builder

Are you considering your own custom wine cellar? Whether you are planning to have a residential or commercial wine cellar,  Wine Cellar Specialists will help you provide the best wine storage solution for your collection according to your budget and requirements. Contact them now at 866-646-7089 or click here to request for a specialist to contact you.

Dallas Custom Wine Cellars – Projects Featured So Far

Texas Wine Cellar Builders

Check out the Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Texas complete playlist. Designs, walk-in tours Wine Cellar Builders a please to feature the complete list of Dallas based projects.

Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Texas

Dallas Texas Custom Wine Cellars & Design the Feature Pages

Dallas Texas Design Under Stairs Custom Wine Cellars Builder – Burke
Lyles Custom Wine Cellar – McKinney Nr Dallas, Texas
Residential Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Fort Worth – Westlake
Contemporary Residential Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Texas – Griffith
Mahogany Wine Cellar John’s Dallas Closet Cellar Conversion
Wine Cellars Dallas Texas, Wine Closet Conversion – Howell
Residential Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Lucas – Nelson

See what’s happening in and around Dallas.  Wine room designs include design drawings, cooling system details, and styling features.  Great for ideas.  Take advantage of our Free 3D Cellar design drawing package.

 

Wine Cellar Specialists Dallas is Awarded Best of Houzz 2013

Wine Cellar Specialists Dallas Texas is the recent winner of Houzz’s 2013 “Best of Remodeling” Customer Satisfaction award.  The Best of Houzz 2013 award is based on reviews and ratings conducted by Houzz’s more than 11 million monthly users.

>>See more about Wine Cellar Specialists’ designs and awards on Houzz HERE

Houzz is the leading online authority in home remodeling and design.  Its website features an extensive database in residential design that can provide information, inspiration, and support to homeowners and home builders alike.  It is an online community for architects, designers, contractors, and home improvement professionals.

The Best of Houzz 2013 award recognizes professionals who come up with unique and inspiring home designs, provide excellent customer service, and timely delivery of high-quality results.

Custom Wine Cellar Specialists Dallas is Awarded Best of Houzz 2013

There are two categories to Houzz’s Best of Houzz awards: Customer Satisfaction and Design.  The winners for the Customer Satisfaction category are rated by homeowners, based on their working experience with remodelers and designers.  The works of Design awardees were favored by millions of Houzz users and were added to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz website or mobile apps.

The Houzz platform showcases different works of various top-notch professionals like Wine Cellar Specialists Dallas in 360-degree imaging.  These visuals give homeowners an opportunity to evaluate and determine which home improvement professionals best meet their design objectives.  The platform also allows homeowners to interact directly with design professionals.

Best of Houzz 2013 is considered as the benchmark for exceptional renovation and interior decoration of residential structures.  Professional images found on personal ideabooks of Houzzers (or Houzz users) serve as strong artistic influences and set a creative trend in the field of remodeling and design around the world.

A closer inspection of Houzz ideabooks will reveal the latest thing in residential decorating:  a garage being converted into a home office or play space; open showers with plenty of natural light and glass doors; outdoor spaces that are equipped with fireplaces and firepits; installing intricate wall treatments on entryways; and laundry rooms that feature stained glass and bold wallpapers to give the space a homey feel.

Click here to view more photos!

Wine Cellar Specialists Residential Wine Cellars

Wine Cellar Specialists Dallas is owned and founded by Robert Stockberger.  The company specializes in wine cellar design and wine cellar construction for residential and commercial properties.  Wine Cellar Specialists Dallas provides design and consultation services, construction of custom wine racks, and installation of climate control wine cellar refrigeration, flooring, and cellar doors.

The company has years of experience in the custom wine cellars industry.  Wine Cellar Specialists Dallas is committed to providing exceptional service and results to their clients.  As a testament to their professional diligence, they have reaped awards and accolades over the years for their exquisite wine cellar design.  Winning the Best of Houzz 2013 award is another added achievement under their belt.

Houzz was founded in 2009.  It is an online photo database of more than one million professional images that aims to guide homeowners in building, renovating, and decorating their properties.  They released an iPhone/iPad app as well as an Android version of the software.  To date, Houzz has a list of 1.5 million residential remodeling professionals that can help transform dreams into reality which makes Wine Cellar Specialists one in 1.5 million!

The Awarded Project, Dallas Custom Wine Cellars – Frisco, Texas

Wine Cellar Specialists, Dallas based wine cellar builders are proud to announce that we were winners of a 2012 Dallas Builders Association Award.  The award was given for our innovative Custom Wine Cellars Project described below.  This award is given to Dallas based Associates, Remodelers and Custom Builders for both custom building and renovation work.

See the Full Project Page – Custom Wine Cellars Dallas– Frisco, Texas

This wine room renovation project was a former kitchen pantry.  After removing the shelving, walls, and ceiling, we installed the lines for a split purpose-built wine cellar cooling system with the evaporator coil inside the cellar (hidden by a grill cover and box that matches the racks) and a compressor in the garage.

At Wine Cellar Specialists we always ensure that our wine cellars are built to last, efficient and trouble-free.  To that end, we added a vapor barrier and insulation as well as green board interior walls.  The wine room’s walls were also painted with latex paint of the homeowner’s choice of color.

We supplied a special wine cellar door with operable wrought iron in red oak.  We custom matched the stain color to the existing kitchen cabinets to create a seamless and great look.

The custom wine racking design was custom manufactured in mahogany and finished with a clear satin lacquer.  We used a waterfall rack on the left side of the wine storage area.  A solid double-deep ‘X’ bin with tabletop, finished off with a horizontal display rack. 750 ml individual bottle racks with a high reveal display row.  We included a tall single deep solid horizontal display rack on the right wall, under the grill cover and box which hides the cooling system.

2012 Dallas Builders Association ARC Awards

The Dallas Builders Association, originally chartered in 1944, is a local trade association representing all segments of the residential building industry in the Metropolitan Dallas area. Their mission, to enhance their members’ ability to provide safe, affordable, quality housing to citizens in local communities is one we are proud to add value to.  The Association is chartered by the State of Texas as a non-profit trade organization.

The Dallas Builders Association Primary Activities Include:

  • Promoting positive public policy through active participation in the legislative and regulatory processes
  • Providing industry information and education to the members and the public
  • Enhancing the positive image of the industry and the members through training and encouraging ethical behavior and professional standards
  • Making membership in the Association an essential element of a successful residential building industry company.

Why “Seal” my wine cellar? – Custom Wine Cellars Texas

Why do I need to “Seal” my wine cellar?

Only this week I was confronted by a builder in Texas who was showing me the room that he was turning into a custom wine cellar for his customer.

He mentioned he knew about adding the correct vapor barrier and insulation. Then, in the next breath, he said “and I am leaving ½” open below the door so that the room gets good air circulation!”

 Air circulation coming from the next room in your home into your wine cellar is exactly what you do NOT want.

Your wine cellar must be sealed like a package. See How to Build Your Wine Cellar. The reason for the vapor barrier is to ensure that the temperature and humidity inside the room, controlled by your wine cellar cooling units, is kept at a lower temperature and higher humidity than in the rest of your home.

To age and preserve wine properly you need to maintain a very stable temperature of 55 to 60 degrees and 50 to 70 percent humidity inside your wine cellar. Leaving a gap under the door allows the cold air to escape and warm air to enter the room, creating difficulty maintaining the correct temperature and humidity. All air going into our coming out of the room should be going through the wine cellar climate control system you have chosen.

Yes, it is possible to maintain the room’s temperature and humidity with this gap. However, you will need a larger wine cellar cooling unit and your unit will run longer, causing an increase in expense to the homeowner’s electric bill.

The gap under the door is the most often cause of cooling loss in a wine cellar!

An easy remedy is to install an exterior door with the same weather stripping you would use if the door were to the outside. Another remedy is to install a door with an automatic door bottom. The doors offered by the award-winning Wine Cellar Specialists have the option of the wood threshold or the automatic door bottom at no additional charge. This is highly recommended.

Wine Cellar Design Basics – Remember:
1. Seal any gaps.
2. A vapor barrier is absolutely necessary.
3. The more insulation, the better.

Want to learn more? See some of our completed wine cellar builders custom wine cellars installed in Texas. Or ready to get started? Simply fill in this wine cellar design request and we will create a design for you FREE of charge and without obligation! Kick-off your wine cellar conversion today!

Vintage View “Evolution Series” Contemporary Wine Racks

…for Contemporary Wine Displays

Azure-140DSCN1201-300x225 The new ‘Evolution Series‘ wine racks from Vintage View have arrived.  These new racks can be custom made to almost any width and or height. For example, you could have them fit one, two, three or four bottles wide and reach 7 or 8 ft. in height…..up to 10 ft

The ends of these Wine Racks can be made in steel with a powder-coated finish (in nearly any color) or chrome-plated if under 8’ high.  They can also be made of acrylic in clear, frosted, or colored.  The tubes or rails the bottles rest on are chrome plated steel.  These wine racks are potentially ideal for Wine Stores, Residential Custom Wine Cellars, Commercial Wine Displays and indeed anyone wanting to create a wine cellar that has a very contemporary look.

These racks are now available in custom sizes.

Once these wine racks are formally launched they will come in standard sizes, right not though we can take orders for pretty much any size. For details or to get a price quote for your custom Evolution Series wine racks call 1-866-646-7089

Vintage View “Evolution Series” Wine Racks – Custom Wine Cellars – Wine Displays

Evolution Series Wine Racks

Click the link to download the spec sheet.

Evolution 4 Spec Sheet

Evolution 6 Spec Sheet

Evolution 8 Spec Sheet

 

New Custom Colors for Evolution Series

 

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.

Learn more about:

Small Business Accountants Fort Collins

Steven J Wick & Associates PC

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. 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.

Grotto Custom Wine Cellars – Grotto Wine Racks

Need products that match products from the old Grotto Cellars company? Look no further!

A common question we are asked is, “can we manufacture and supply kit wine racks and even match racking for custom wine cellars consistent with the style and finish of previously purchased products from the late Grotto Cellars”.

The answer is, yes. Our factory has been exclusively manufacturing wine racks for over 10 years and has, for several clients manufactured products that are consistent with the old Grotto Cellars racking solutions.

Grotto custom wine cellars were a company that leads the custom wine cellar and wine rack market for many years before getting into financial difficulty in 2010, eventually filing for bankruptcy towards the end of that year. For people who previously purchased a kit or custom wine racks from them, it can, therefore, be a problem to source products that exactly match what they already have.

While Wine Cellar Specialists are in no way affiliated with the old Grotto Cellars company we are familiar with the designs, finishes, and styles of their wine rack products.

If you have previously purchased wine rack kits or had a custom wine cellar built by Grotto in the past, and wish to add to your wine racks or expand your existing wine cellar, by working with us at Wine Cellar Specialists you can be assured of a perfect match!

Simply call us Toll-Free at +1 (866) 646-7089 or complete a wine cellar design contact request form and we will be happy to help!

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. Engineered wood floors are also great for traditional wine cellar designs. However, do 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”.

Custom Wine Cellar Builders Contractors Installers Chicago Illinois

Check out this sneak peek of a new residential custom wine cellars builders project we recently completed in Naperville a location near Chicago Illinois. As Full Service Wine Cellar Builders, Contractors, and Installers we love building and designing beautiful custom wine cellars, wine tasting rooms and simple closet conversions like this example job. For the full story, interesting before and after images go to custom wine cellars design Chicago.

Custom Wine Cellar Builders Contractors & Installers Chicago Illinois

Custom Wine Cellar Contractors Chicago

Naperville is a smaller city just outside Chicago Illinois. Interestingly it has been voted as the best place to live in the United States several times, even at one time making it to the number two best place to live position. As a smaller U.S. city with a population of around 142,000 (2010), it is actually quite an affluent city with numerous corporate headquarters located in the downtown area. Surprisingly in a 2010 article, Naperville was named as the wealthiest city in the Midwest!  As Custom Wine Cellar Builders it should be no surprise therefore that we maintain a local presence of Wine Cellar Contractors in Naperville, Chicago, and Illinois generally.
If you live in one of these areas and are considering converting an unused room into a Wine Tasting Room or Custom Wine Cellar simply call us Toll-Free: at (866) 646-7089 or complete a FREE Wine Cellar Designs form and we will create a stunning 3D CAD Design Package tailored to your specific requirements without obligation and completely free of charge.

Bistro de la Reine Custom Wine Cellars Commercial Wine Bar

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 into 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

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

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 a unique feature to set your 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.

Well-Designed Texas Commercial Wine Cellars

Designing Custom Commercial Wine Cellars

Elegant Floor to Ceiling Wine Racks Installed by Master Builders of Custom Commercial Wine Cellars

Elegant Floor to Ceiling Wine Racks Installed by Master Builders of Custom Commercial Wine Cellars

How can you attract potential customers to purchase wine in your restaurant, hotel, or wine store if you have mediocre wine displays? Wine Cellar Specialists, a trusted builder in Texas, designs and installs commercial custom wine cellars that can help the owners to generate profit. We create eye-catching wine displays for restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. We offer innovative and budget-savvy wine rack solutions that maximize storage capacity and allow for better wine management and convenient monitoring.

Choose Stylishly and Quality Wine Racks to Attract Potential Customers

Your wine rack system has a big role in product presentation. Therefore, you must work with a creative and knowledgeable builder of commercial custom wine cellars. At Wine Cellar Specialists, we always aim to help the owners of wine businesses increase their wine sales by creating an enticing wine display in their establishments.   

If you invest in mediocre storage units, do not expect an increase in sales. While deciding upon the features of your commercial wine racks, it is important to consider style, functionality, and materials.

The style depends on the kind of wines that you have for display. Think about what you want your customers to feel when they enter your premises.

Should the impression be ‘California Vineyard’, ‘European wine cellar’ or a more contemporary look? This will help you to choose the right design or style of your wine cellar.

We will also consider the size and shape of your wine room, the existing theme of your commercial establishment, and your personal preferences. After making a careful assessment of your needs, we will start creating a 3D design that will show the racking styles and bottle capacities of the completed wine room.   

For functionality, you have to think in terms of floor space required. Will you have a cooled room for your more expensive wines, or will everything be displayed in the store floor space?

How many bottles will you want to have in stock? How many different labels will you want to display? Do you want bulk storage as well as individual bottle storage? Do you want a space for case storage?

Knowing your needs and requirements will help us create the perfect wine storage system for your commercial wine cellar. We will ensure that the wine cellar solution does the job of displaying your stock properly and functions well as the business grows. We will also create a design that will maximize the storage capacity of your wine room.

We will recommend the best options for your project, but we will follow your decision on the racking styles and materials. Do you like wood racking or metal racking?

Wood Racking or Metal Racking?

Wooden Commercial Wine Racks

Wooden Commercial Wine Racks

Wooden commercial wine racks are widely used in wine cellar construction because of their visual appeal. Its warmth and classic look will enhance the beauty of your Texas commercial wine cellar. They can be made from attractive wood species, such as Redwood, Mahogany, and Pine.

Redwood and mahogany are most often chosen when considering wood wine racks. These wood varieties are known for their beauty, durability, and high resistance to mildew, making them suitable for climate-controlled wine rooms.

Knotty Alder is another popular material used for wine racks. It is known for its attractive burls and knots, which can be highlighted when the right finish or stain is chosen. 

Pine can also be used if you are not placing the racks in a cooled environment. Wine racks made from pine are not only beautiful but versatile as well. Whether stained or unfinished, they can go well with any theme in your hotel, restaurant, or wine store.

However, Wine Cellar Specialists recommend staining and lacquering your wooden wine racks to make wooden wine racks more appealing to clientele.

You should choose the wood and finish that blends well with the décor of your store. The texture, grain and colour of the wood also have an important impact on the finish and overlook of your wine cellar.

As for durability, Mahogany is the hardest wood, followed by redwood. Pine is a softer wood but is also the most cost-effective.

Metal Wine Racks for Contemporary Commercial Custom Wine Cellars

Metal Commercial Wine Racks Texas

Metal Commercial Wine Racks Texas

Texas commercial wine cellars with modern design are also eye-catching. Nowadays, minimalist interiors are in-demand in a commercial setup.

Wine Cellar Specialists uses metal wine racks to create stunning wine storage displays. These storage units offer a space-efficient and cost-effective wine storage solution. They can also blend well with any existing décor.

Metal racking in black or platinum finishes are commonly used in commercial wine racking for a more contemporary look.

For many years, we have been using metal wine racks from top-notch suppliers of contemporary wine storage systems like VintageView, STACT, and Ultra Wine Racks.

Hire a Master Wine Room Builder

For more information on commercial wine cellars, and to get professional help and a free drawing for your wine rack design and floor plan, visit https://www.winecellarspec.com.

What You Must Know About Building a Texas Home Wine Cellar in a Basement

Wine cannot age gracefully if stored in poor conditions. It should be stored in an environment where the temperature and humidity are stable. The basement is an ideal place to build a Texas home wine cellar because it is the cooler area of your home. However, always keep in mind that important components must be installed in order to achieve the optimum conditions needed by wine to mature properly.     

Requirements in Building a Basement Wine Cellar in Texas

basement wine cellar

Basement Wine Cellar

Wine needs a cool environment to preserve its quality. Too much heat exposure can ruin wine’s flavour, aroma, and overall complexity.

The basement of your home can be an ideal place to store wine.

You can build a complete wine cellar in your basement, which is usually a cooler part of the house as compared to other rooms at the ground level. It is easier for builders to stabilize the temperature and humidity in basement wine cellars. A custom wine cellar in your basement can be made in any size that you have the space available.

Lighting System and Wine Cooling System

Texas wine cellar lighting and cooling

Wine Cellar Lighting and Wine Cooling System

While planning your basement wine cellar, also remember that it would require some lighting and a cooling unit. Lighting is an important part of the wine cellar ambience. Led lighting and recessed air lock ceiling lights often work well in custom wine cellars for the home.

At Wine Cellar Specialists, we recommend the LED lighting system. It is known for its low heat emission, which can protect wine from being damaged.

Standard lighting fixtures are not ideal for illuminating wine storage spaces because they emit too much heat.

A dedicated circuit for cooling unit will need to be available or installed. The wine refrigeration system plays a very important role in wine ageing. Using standard home air conditioners can result in wine oxidation.

Oxidized wines have an unpleasant flavour and smell. You don’t want your favourite vintages to become undrinkable due to temperature fluctuations and unstable humidity levels. Investing in a quality wine refrigeration unit is recommended.

Wine Cellar Specialists offers commercial-grade wine cooling systems from trusted manufacturers: Wine Guardian, WhisperKool, CellarPro, and US Cellar Systems.

Proper Insulation for Texas Wine Cellars

Texas wine cellar insulationComplete construction of the walls, floor and ceiling with a vapour barrier and the proper amount of insulation must occur. Make sure you are adding the correct wine cellar door to completely seal the room.

Proper insulation of refrigerated wine cellars is important because it can prevent moisture build-up. A poorly insulated cellar will force your cooling unit to work harder and may result in breakdowns and high-energy bills.

Seek Professional Help for Your Next Project.

The help of professional wine cellar designers can make it a lot easier to create beautiful and safe wine rooms. At Wine Cellar Specialists, we have years of experience in designing residential wine cellars. If you want to have a wine cellar, you can use any spare room in your home, such as your basement. Our creativity and passion in building climate-controlled wine cellars helped us complete installation projects with satisfaction.

Call us today at +1 (866 ) 646-7089 get the best wine cellars at the most affordable prices, or request a 3D custom design for FREE!

The Right Wine Cellar Storage Conditions for Aging Wine

Wine will not last long if stored in poor conditions. It needs to be kept in an environment where temperature and humidity are regulated. Which is why it is important that you invest in a Texas wine cellar installed with the right components. This will make wine collecting more enjoyable. In this article, you will learn how the ideal storage conditions will help wine mature properly in your Texas home wine cellar.

Vital Components in Wine Cellar Construction

wine cellar insulation

Proper Wine Cellar Insulation Must be Installed by a Specialist

As you probably know, the cooling unit you put in place in your Texas home wine cellar will help to determine how your wine will be when you decide to open and drink it.

Getting Expert Opinion on Wine Cellar Storage Conditions

Before your begin your installation project, consult with a Wine Cellar Specialist to determine the exact cooling unit that will be best for your circumstance and have them do a heat load calculation.

Heat Load Calculations Give Most Accurate Account of Size of Cooling Unit Needed for Proper Conditions.

You cannot go just by cubic footage to properly size your unit. Many other factors are involved such as amount of glass, interior or exterior walls, what is above and below the cellar, type of insulation to be used, etc.

Without first doing a heat load calculation and figuring out which unit will work best for you, costly mistakes can be made that are very difficult to undo later down the road.

Before talking about the conditions under which to store red and white wine, let’s review what your cellar should have before you move in any wine.

Wine Cellar Preparations to Achieve Optimum Storage Conditions Needed for Proper Aging of Red and White Wine

There are several key steps in building a wine cellar that’s designed for ideal wine storage conditions.

Adding a Vapor Barrier

There are two ways to make sure your wine cellar has the proper vapor barrier:

  1. The old method, which we no longer recommend, is to add 6 mil plastic to the warm side of the cellar and fill the studs with batt insulation. This method can be easily compromised over time and years later, you could have moisture issues if the seams come apart or the plastic is penetrated.
  2. The recommended method is to use the correct thickness of closed cell foam. This acts as your vapor barrier as well as insulation. You must use a minimum of 3” on any interior walls. We recommend at least 5” on exterior walls, ceilings, and any floors that are not on slab. Any seams or double studs, etc, must also be polysealed correctly to eliminate any areas where moisture could penetrate. It is wise to have a specialist do the foam for you.

Adding a vapor barrier and insulation will depend on which method you are using. If using the plastic and batt method, you can install the plastic part before your cooling lines and electric are run. If using the foam method, DO NOT foam until the electric and cooling lines are installed.

Insulation of Walls and Ceiling

  • The proper insulation should then be installed in the walls and ceiling. When using the old method, you will get R-13 insulation in the walls and R-19 in the ceiling. If you use foam, you will get R-19 and R-30, which is better. The more insulation you add, the less work your cooling unit will have to do. This could save you money in the long run… so insulate well to achieve the perfect storage conditions in your wine cellar.
  • wine cooling systems Texas

    Cooling Systems are Essential in the Proper Aging of Wine

    • Before installing your walls, depending on the wine cooling unit you are using, you may want to run a drain line, your copper lines (if applicable) and be sure to wire for your electrical. All units will need a place to drain and must have a dedicated circuit for the compressor.
  • For the walls, you have a choice. You can use any moisture resistant material. You can put a ½” plywood down first to make it easier to attach your racking to the walls… recommended especially if using metal racking. Then add greenboard, or something similar. Another method is to add a heavy paneling such as a tongue and groove board or other board material that you might like to see in your room. Just make sure it is moisture resistant. If you are painting the walls, use a latex paint.

Installation of Wine Cooling System

  • Now install your cooling unit. Again, depending on the unit you use, you may need to hire a licensed HVACR contractor for this. An HVACR contractor is required for your warranty to be valid if you are using any split system.

These are very basic steps. Clearly, there is more to building a wine cellar in your home than the steps we list above, but we list them to give you an idea of the work involved in creating a space in your home that will preserve and help age wine in a room with ideal storage conditions.

A master wine cellar builder can help you throughout the process, from deciding the kind of cellar you want and where you want it to doing the actual work.

wine cellar racks Texas

The Right Type of Wine Racks is Important in Wine Storage

Proper Storage of Red and White Wines

wine storage Texas

Wine Cellar Specialists can Build the Proper Wine Storage Place for your Collection

Once your cellar is in place, you get to move on to the fun part – actually storing your wine. We will cover in a series of other blog posts the types of racks you can use in your cellar, but here, let’s briefly talk about the best wine cellar storage conditions for red and white wines.

Wine Storage Conditions The Same for Red and White Wine

Both red and white wines should be kept at the same storage temperature. They both react the same way to the same storage conditions.

Ideal storage conditions protect wine from harmful environmental factors, preserving its desirable characteristics.

Drinking Temperature For White Wine

Drinking temperature is a different issue. Keep in mind that serving wine too hot or too cold can result in flat flavors and aromas. The right serving temperature can help preserve the freshness and fruitiness of wine.

White wines may not be chilled enough in your wine cellar. Before serving white wine, take the wine out of your cellar and put it into an ice bucket before you are planning to serve it. Serving champagne? Definitely chill champagne on ice before serving it. If you add water to the ice, the wine will chill faster.

Importance of Optimum Storage and Serving Temperature in the Aging Process of Wine

wine storage

Red and White Wines Must be Stored at the Ideal Storage Temperature

The 55 degree wine storage temperature is equally important, if not more so, with your red wines. They typically are the wines that need more time to age before drinking. However, the 55 degrees is not the temperature you will want to drink your red wines at either.

The Right Drinking Temperature for Red Wine

Contrary to popular belief, red wine should not be served at normal room temperature. Depending upon the wine you are drinking, the ideal drinking temperature varies. There are may charts available online to help you along the way. When in doubt, serve the wine a few degrees cooler than room temperature. Richer aroma is released as the wine warms up to room temperature.

Cooling and the Aging Process of Wine

No wine should be served over 68 degrees F.  Keep in mind that the cooling process helps age your wine and will let you store it for longer periods of time than just putting it away elsewhere.

One unit can serve to store red and white and conditions ideal for them, but remember you may need to take an extra step (cooling or “warming”) before serving.

Essential Wine Accessories for Serving Wine

In addition to serving wine at the right temperature, you can invest in wine accessories to enhance your wine drinking experience.

Aerator

An aerator is a must-have gadget of wine enthusiasts. It is used to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in wine. This process is called aeration, which can help increase your pleasure of drinking your precious wines, especially young ones.

Aeration allows wine to be exposed to the right amount of air, giving wine a smoother texture and pleasant aromas.

Decanter

Wine Cellar Specialists Master Builders of Wine Storage Rooms Texas

Wine Cellar Specialists Master Builders of Wine Storage Rooms Texas

Another important wine cellar accessory is the decanter. The dark residuals in your glass or wine bottles are known as sediments. Before drinking wine, these sediments should be separated from the liquid to eliminate harsh flavors.

It is a common practice to let a bottle stand vertically for at least 24-36 hours prior to decanting. This will allow for easy decanting because the sediments will settle at the bottom of the bottle.

Other Tips in Serving Wine

  • When pouring wine, the wineglass must be on the table, not in your hand.
  • Use a bigger wine glass for reds, and smaller ones for whites.
  • Pour only 5-6 ounces of wine in a glass.

Contact a Wine Storage Expert

When it comes to providing wine the perfect wine storage conditions, you can rely on Wine Cellar Specialists. They have built climate-controlled wine cellars in Texas, Chicago, and Florida. Request a custom wine room design today or call them at +1 (866 ) 646-7089.

Things to Think About Before Installing a Texas Custom Wine cellar in Your Home

Mistakes in wine room construction can be avoided if you work with the right company. We, at Wine Cellar Specialists, have extensive knowledge in proper wine storage. We have designed functional custom wine displays and installed Texas wine cellars with the proper components. Before the wine room installation, there are important questions that need to be answered, to ensure that our clients will be happy with the beauty and functionality of their wine rooms.

Questions That Needs to Be Answered Before Custom Wine Cellar Installation

Texas wine cellar

A Wine Cellar Must be Built by a Professional

Yes, wine cellars are a good investment, especially if you are a wine connoisseur. Consider your wine collection. Maybe you don’t know how you became a collector.

A couple of bottles you bought for dinner became a case for a week’s vacation with friends and all of a sudden you’re reading labels and asking about vintage and years.

What’s next? Worrying about storage temperature. If you don’t think about it, that special bottle you’re saving for a golden anniversary or for when that promotion goes through may not taste as special as you are hoping.

Once your thoughts turn to storage temperature, it’s time to think about a wine cellar of your very own.

Some questions you may have, or at least some questions others at the start of their wine cellar process have had, and some answers. Of course, your situation is unique to you. Some of the questions may not apply. Remember, we’re here to help. Call us at 972-454-0480, or you can e-mail us at info@winecellarspec.com.

Is special construction required?

proper wine storage Texas

Wine Will Age Properly in the Right Environment

The fluctuation of temperature is the number one cause of wines going bad. You want your wine cellar to have a constant temperature of between 55 degrees and 58 degrees, and maintain a humidity of between 50% and 75%. The temperature in most homes hover around 70 degrees, and the humidity in most homes is somewhere between 20% and 30%.

Of course, where you live, and the temperature and humidity outside probably affect the temperature and humidity in your home.

The proper insulation and vapor barrier in the walls are the first steps to creating a wine room. These will keep the wine cellar humidity at the ideal range by preventing the warm air from leaking into the wine room.

Without proper insulation, molds and mildew can build up in your wine cellar, which can damage the integrity of your racking and walls. This can also damage the wine labels.

The next step is to find out which climate control system is right for you. After the assessment of your needs, Wine Cellar Specialists will be able to recommend the type and brand of wine refrigeration system that suits your storage requirements. This will stabilize the temperature and humidity in the wine room. Regular air conditioners don’t have the capacity to provide the right environment that will help the wine to age gracefully.

View the different cooling options for Texas wine cellars.

Can I install a Texas wine cellar anywhere?

Yes. However, keep in mind that where you install your wine cellar will affect how much you spend on its upkeep going forward. Also, heat, light, and vibration can affect your wine. Pick a spot without windows preferably (so you don’t have to worry about covering them) and away from any noise is best. The type of climate control system you can use also depends upon where your room is located. Consult a Wine Cellar Specialist.

When does the cooling unit go in?

Normally, your refrigeration system goes in after the drywall is installed. However, you will want to run the electrical and drain lines during your wall construction.

Do I need to install special flooring?

Texas Wine Cellar Flooring

Yes. You need to install flooring that can withstand high humidity. Carpeting just will not do, since it may likely rot.

Concrete is OK, as long as it is sealed properly. Porcelain or granite tiles, cork, or hardwood flooring is most often recommended.

When creating a climate-controlled Texas wine cellar, be sure that the proper vapor barrier is also under your flooring material.

Do I need custom wine cellar lighting?

Backlit Lighting in a Texas Custom Wine Cellar

Custom wine cellar lighting is key to achieving a moody and dramatic look

While it’s fine to opt out of installing lighting for your custom wine cellar, we highly recommend adding a bit of decorative lighting to improve the overall ambient of the space. Furthermore, it adds some pizzazz to your wine collection. With LEDs, you don’t have to worry about the heat it produces. It won’t affect the temperature and the state of wine bottles, thanks to the low-power nature of LED. Alternatively, you can install a chandelier to illuminate the entire room space. The combination of warm lighting and dark-shaded bottles creates a soothing look and feel for a Texas custom wine cellar. What’s even better is that it works and blends well whether it’s traditional, modern, or contemporary custom wine cellars.  

How to properly light a Texas custom wine cellar?

If you are planning to add lighting decorations to your wine cellar, you need to know how to install lights in a wine cellar the right way. Aside from chandelier or ceiling lighting, you can try the backlit style. With the bulbs hiding behind wine bottles, the illumination creates a silhouette effect that dramatically adds mood to a wine rack. Sometimes, the color of the wine makes everything a lot more interesting. Another style that’s popular nowadays is accent lighting. All you need to have are several LED strips and run them along the shelves. You can get creative and find the best spots for accent lights. This is one of the best ways to light a custom wine cellar, especially if you want wine racks to be the focal point. 

I don’t want to build my wine cellar. Can anyone do it?

Wine Cellar Specialists Texas

Wine Cellar Specialists Texas

Yes, most likely. A blanket statement like anyone can build your wine cellar is difficult to back up. If your builder follows proper Texas wine cellar construction and enclosure guidelines, then yes, anyone can help you.

The materials your builder will need for your wine cellar are easy to find and often used in other home projects. But you should ask any builder you consider for the job if they have experience with wine cellars, and if not, if they work with anyone who does.

When it comes to installing climate control, many units will require a licensed HVAC/R contractor.

The most affordable builder, or the builder who promises to have your wine cellar finished in the shortest amount of time, may not be the best builder for your job. Think long-term appreciation, not short-term satisfaction. We, at Wine Cellar Specialists, will create your wine cellar from start to finish… or work with your builder to help educate him on the best methods when building your room.

Storing Red and White Wine

As you probably know, the cooling unit you put in place in your wine cellar will help to determine how your wine will be when you decide to open and drink it. Before talking about the conditions under which to store red and white wine, let’s review what your cellar should have before you move in any wine.

Preparing the Room to Meet Wine Storage Requirements

  • wine cellar insulation TexasPrepare your wine cellar before installing your cooling unit.
  • Put a vapor barrier in place in the walls and ceiling. A vapor barrier consists of  6 mils plastic sheeting and must be installed on the warm side to serve as a barrier between the cellar and the rest of your home. The room should be wrapped like a package so no moisture can escape.
  • Put a vapor barrier on the floor. If the floor is concrete, you can use a product that goes on with a trowel found at most hardware stores. One recommended product is Bosticks MVP4.

Any tile or wood flooring can be installed right over this product once it drys. If your floor is above ground, you will want to add your vapor barrier and insulation just as you did on the walls and ceiling, while building up the floor.

  • The proper insulation should then be installed in the walls and ceiling. A minimum of R-13 in the walls and R-19 in the ceiling. However, the more the better. The more insulation you add, the less work your cooling unit will have to do. This could save you money in the long run… so insulate well.
  • Before installing your walls, depending on the cooling unit you are using, you may want to run a drain line, your copper lines (if applicable) and be sure to wire for your electrical. All units will need a place to drain and must have a dedicated circuit for the compressor.
  • wine cooling systems Texas

    An Efficient Wine Cooling Unit is a Vital Component of Wine Cellars

    For the walls, you have a choice. You can use any moisture-resistant material. You can put a ½” plywood down first to make it easier to attach your racking to the walls… recommended especially if using metal racking. Then add a green board, or something similar.

  • Another method is to add a heavy paneling such as a tongue and groove board or other board material that you might like to see in your room. Just make sure it is moisture resistant. If you are painting the walls, use latex paint.
  • Now install your wine cooling unit. Again, depending on the unit you use, you may need to hire a licensed HVACR contractor for this. An HVACR contractor is required for your warranty to be valid if you are using any split system.

These are very basic steps. Clearly, there is more to building a Texas wine cellar in your home than the steps we list above, but we list them to give you an idea of the work involved in creating a space in your home that will perfectly preserve and help age any wine you store. Experts can help you throughout the process, from deciding the kind of cellar you want and where you want it to doing the actual work.

Best Conditions for Wine

wine cellar racks Texas

Once your cellar is in place, you get to move on to the fun part – actually storing your wine. We will cover in a series of other blog posts the types of racks you can use in your Texas wine cellar, but here, let’s briefly talk about the best conditions under which to store your red and white wine.

wine temperatureBoth red and white wines should be stored at the same temperature when it comes to storage. Ideal storage conditions protect wine from harmful environmental factors, preserving its desirable characteristics.

Drinking temperature is a different issue. Keep in mind that serving wine too hot or too cold can result in flat flavors and aromas. The right serving temperature can help preserve the freshness and fruitiness of the wine.

White wines may not be chilled enough in your wine cellar. Before serving a white wine, take the wine out of your cellar and put it into an ice bucket before you are planning to serve it. Serving champagne? Definitely chill champagne on ice before serving it. If you add water to the ice, the wine will chill faster.

The 55-degree storage temperature is equally important, if not more so, with your red wines. They typically are the wines that need more time to age before drinking. However, the 55 degrees is not the temperature you will want to drink your red wines at either.

Contrary to popular belief, red wine should not be served at normal room temperature. Depending upon the wine you are drinking, the ideal drinking temperature varies. There are many charts available online to help you along the way.

When in doubt, serve the wine a few degrees cooler than room temperature. The richer aroma is released as the wine warms up to room temperature. No wine should be served over 68 degrees F.  Keep in mind that the cooling process helps age your wine and will let you store it for longer periods of time than just putting it away elsewhere.

One unit can serve to store red and white and conditions ideal for them, but remember you may need to take an extra step (cooling or “warming”) before serving.

Essential Wine Accessories for Serving Wine in Your Texas Wine Cellar

In addition to serving wine at the right temperature, you can invest in wine accessories to enhance your wine-drinking experience.

Aerator

An aerator is a must-have gadget of wine enthusiasts. It is used to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in wine. This process is called aeration, which can help increase your pleasure of drinking your precious wines, especially young ones. Aeration allows the wine to be exposed to the right amount of air, giving the wine a smoother texture and pleasant aromas.

Decanter

Another important wine cellar accessory is the decanter. The dark residuals in your glass or wine bottles are known as sediments. Before drinking wine, these sediments should be separated from the liquid to eliminate harsh flavors. It is a common practice to let a bottle stand vertically for at least 24-36 hours prior to decanting. This will allow for easy decanting because the sediments will settle at the bottom of the bottle.

Other Tips in Serving Wine

  • When pouring wine, the wineglass must be on the table, not in your hand.
  • Use a bigger wine glass for reds, and smaller ones for whites.
  • Pour only 5-6 ounces of wine in a glass.

 

Have Your Texas Wine Cellar Built by a Professional

An Expert Can Help You Build Your Dream Texas Wine Cellar

Custom Wine Cellar and Wine Tasting Room Combination in Naples, Florida

Climate-Controlled Texas Wine Cellar

While you can build a wine cellar in any part of your home, remember that where you build your wine cellar will affect how much you spend yearly in cellar-related costs.

The temperature in most wine cellars should be between 55 degrees and 58 degrees, and wine cellars typically have a humidity of between 50% and 75%, so, if possible, pick the coolest and most-humid place in your house and be sure to use the correct amount of insulation and vapor barrier in the wall construction.

Doing so will help you lower your overall costs, because this may allow you to use a smaller-sized cooling unit.

Planning Your Wine Cellar Project

After you’ve picked the spot in your house where you will build your wine cellar, plan carefully. How much money are you willing to invest initially and going forward? What do you want your wine cellar to look like? Can you find building materials locally, or are you going to have to special order materials? Are you prepared to do the work yourself? How will you protect your wine?

Careful assessment of your functional, aesthetic, and budget requirements, will help your chosen builder determine the most suitable wine cooling system, flooring, racking, lighting, and doors.

Wine Cellar Specialists, an expert in wine cellar design and installation, can make your Texas wine cellar a safe haven for your collection, and a beautiful addition to your living space.

Wine Refrigeration System

wine cellar cooling systems Texas

Wine Cellar Cooling Systems Texas

Your cellar will need the correct size and type of cooling system. The size and location of your cellar are factors that must be taken into account in determining the type and capacity of your climate-control system.

The wrong choice of cooling system can cause temperature fluctuations that can be detrimental to your wines. Wine loses its quality when stored in a room with unstable conditions.

Wine Cellar Specialists offers different types of refrigeration systems to meet the unique requirements of their clients. The only use cooling units from trust manufacturers such as Wine Guardian, US Cellar Systems, CellarPro, and WhisperKool.

Learn more about wine cellar cooling solutions offered by Wine Cellar Specialists.

Wine Cellar Flooring

wine cellar flooring Texas

Cork and Reclaimed Wine Barrel Flooring

You can dramatically increase the beauty of your wine cellar by picking amazing flooring.Since it contributes to the overall appeal and functionality of your wine room, the type of your flooring must be chosen carefully.

Don’t limit your thinking to just tile. While you may ultimately go with a tile floor, consider cork or reclaimed wine barrel flooring. Any moisture-resistant material can be used on the floor.

Wine Racks for a Safe and Stunning Texas Wine Cellar

wine racks Texas

Wine Racking Designed by a Texas Wine Cellar Builder

Now, think about the wine you are planning to store. Not all bottles are the same size and shape, so you should think about the type of the wine racks you will install.

Look at all of your options.

Make sure that the cubicles of the standard 750 racks will hold any larger or odd shaped bottles. They need to be at least 3 ¾” wide.

  • Do you want to store magnum or larger sized bottles?
  • Will you have any larger Champagne bottles in your collection?
  • What about the smaller split size?
  • Will you want storage for wood cases?
  • Do you want all of your bottles in individual cubicles or do you want bulk storage such as X bins or Diamond bins?
  • What about display rows?
  • Regular display rows or horizontal displays are available in some racking.
  • A waterfall style display rack is another possibility.
  • Consider the wine you will store and choose storage racks that you think will protect and store your wine the best.
  • You may choose wood or metal as material for your racking. Your choice should depend on the look and ambiance that your want for your wine room.

At Wine Cellar Specialists, they consider these important factors in choosing a wine rack design that will store your wines safely and beautifully.

Then there are your wines.

  • Do you already have them?
  • Are you waiting until your cellar is finished before you get them?
  • You’re thinking about a wine cellar, so you must already be a wine aficionado or live with someone who is.
  • At the end of the day, a wine cellar without wine is an empty wine cellar.
  • When you’re planning your budget for the project, think about how much money you will spend on wines.
  • Also, when planning your budget for future years, think about how much you plan to spend on acquiring new wines.

A do-it-yourself wine cellar is not impossible, but it is not easy. A wine cellar may boost your resale value, help you store your collection of wine, and be something to brag about. Let’s face it – how many people do you know who have built their own wine cellars? Or who even have a wine cellar in their home?

Working with a professional wine cellar designer and installer can help you build a safe and exceptional Texas wine cellar.

What the Best Custom Wine Cellar Builder Can Do

close view of a contemporary wine cellar with wood wine racks

Wine cellar with contemporary design by Wine Cellar Specialists

If you want a custom wine cellar that is built to your liking made with high-quality products and top-notch service, work with Wine Cellar Specialists. With plenty of wine cellar designs to choose from including traditional, contemporary, modern and transitional design, Wine Cellar Specialists can help. Check out our gallery of completed projects here! No matter where you live or what your wine cellar needs, we can help. Call us at :+1 (972) 454-04809, or send us a message!

Wine Cellars – Design & Efficiency

After deciding to build a wine cellar in your home (or have one built), you should look at the cellar’s overall efficiency first. How the wine cellar will look, and whether or not it will match how the rest of your house looks, should be a secondary concern.

Wine Cellars – Design & Efficiency

Of course, design isn’t an afterthought, but at the end of the day, the colors you use in your wine cellar, if you use colors, will not help you protect and store your wine collection.

Making sure your cellar is efficient means that your wine cooling unit must be the proper size for the room and emit the proper BTU’s to efficiently cool the room according to your specific conditions. (see other blog posts for information on cooling unit options)

Your cooling unit, more than likely, is going to look and sound very different from what you might be thinking. Depending upon which type of unit you can use in your situation, the look of your cooling unit could vary greatly.

Selecting the right Wine Cellar Cooling Units

climate control system Texas

Wine Cellar Climate-Control System

When you pick your wine cellar cooling unit, there is usually an external temperature display on it. The wine cellars’ cooling unit will help you monitor and regulate your wine cellar’s temperature. With some units this display can be placed in a spot inside or outside of your wine cellar.

On others, it is attached to the unit itself. This temperature display will show you how hot or cold your cellar is, and if the temperature fluctuates out of your preset range, it will “tell” the cooling unit to readjust the temperature inside the cellar. This should happen automatically.

Because your wine cellar, as one expert puts it, is “dark and damp,” always install moisture-resistant materials during the build-out of the project. These materials can be covered with a latex paint.

Types of Wine Cooling Systems for Texas Custom Wine Cellars

Depending on how you plan to use your wine cellar (is it for an investment, or do you plan to drink the bottles of wine you will store in your cellar), you will want to choose the best cooling option for you. Wine Cellar Specialists can help you decide the system to put in place in your home.

Through the Wall or Self-Contained Units

self-contained wine cooling system

Self-Contained Cooling System

When it comes to practicality and ease of installation, the self-contained or through the wall cooling system is a top choice. Since this cooling option does not require a licensed HVAC/R technician, it will save you from the labor cost. The unit can be mounted between the wall studs.

An adjacent room, which must be at least twice the size of the cellar, is required. It serves as an exhaust of the heat generated by the refrigeration unit.

Ducted Self-Contained Systems

ducted self-contained refrigeration system

Ducted Self-Contained System

With a ducted self-contained unit, noise is reduced. The unit is installed 25 ducted feet away from your Texas custom wine cellar, resulting in a quieter operation compared to the self-contained system.

Another advantage of choosing this type of refrigeration system is that no cooling equipment is visible in your wine storage space. If you want a clean look in your cellar, go for the ducted self-contained system.  

Split Refrigeration Systems

split wine cooling system

Split Refrigeration Systems

Just like the ducted-self-contained cooling system, the split system allows for quiet operation. The condenser and the evaporator are installed separately. The condenser, which is a noisy component of a refrigeration system, is installed outside your wine cellar, while the evaporator is placed in the room.

Incorporating a wine cellar into your house is not overly complicated. Doing it right means taking your time, focusing on efficiency, and making sure you have the right people helping you make the right decisions that will best protect your investment and give you your desired result.

Uses for a Wine Cellar in the Home

home wine cellar Texas

You Can Have a Functional and Appealing Home Wine Cellar with the Help of an Expert

If you have asked yourself if you need a wine cellar in your home, then you already have your answer. Just asking the question means that you have gone beyond the normal wine drinker who may have a few bottles on hand for the occasional dinner party or night in.

Because a home wine cellar (and, let’s face it, wine) is an investment, you should be thinking about the type of custom wine cellar you want in your home, not just whether you want one.

Your wine cellar should grow with you and your collection, and unless you’re not planning to sell your home, then your wine room should be built in such a way that it will appeal to someone other than you.

A Residential Custom Wine Cellar may be a nice incentive for someone buying a home, so make sure it has broad appeal.

One benefit to having a wine cellar of your own, is it allows you to buy wine in bulk. Wine by the case is less expensive than one or two bottles.

Wine by the case is also less expensive when it is young, and if you know wine (and if you want a wine cellar in your home, then you must know wine), these young wines, once mature, will taste better and result in a larger return on your investment. It also allows you to purchase larger quantities of a wine that you discover and particularly enjoy, to assure that you will be able to have a stock of it for the future.

Home Wine Room Chicago

How will you use your wine cellar (in other words, what prompted you to ask the question in the first place?)? Will you use it strictly for storage, will you also use it as a tasting room, or is it to be a showplace? How you plan to use it is important to know, because that can affect the way you construct your room, or at least the size of it and how the racking is designed.

If your wine cellar will be used just for storage, then think about how many bottles of wine you currently have as well as how many bottles of wine you plan to accumulate.

Your cellar should be able to grow with you and your collection. Make sure you can maximize the bottle storage for the space you have. If you want a wine room and think that you just don’t have the space, look around at unused areas. Do you have a stairwell? And, if you do, can you build out underneath it? Unused closets? Maybe you use it to build out a cellar.

Residential Wine Cellars Designed and Installed by Wine Cellar Specialists in Texas and Chicago

VintageView Wine Cellars, Metal with Wood Coppel TX Project – Near Dallas

custom wine cellar Coppel Texas

Metal and Wood Custom Wine Cellar in Texas

This contemporary home wine cellar is located under the curved staircase. The racking is made of metal and wood, resulting in a unique wine storage space.

Chevis Home Wine Cellar with a Rolling Ladder – Dallas, Texas

Installed with attractive mahogany wine racks, this residential wine cellar aesthetically appealing and offers great features. A rolling ladder was added for easy access to bottles stored beyond normal reach.

Contemporary Custom Wine Cellar – White Rock Lake Area, Dallas, Texas

This modern design was created by Wine Cellar Specialists for their client in Dallas, Texas. The metal wine racks from Vintage View are mounted on the wall, creating a sophisticated custom wine display.

Dave Custom Wine Cellar with Barrel Table – Palos Heights Chicago Illinois

Located in the basement, this home wine cellar displays the owner’s wines in unfinished redwood wine racks. A wine barrel table was added to add a distinct look to the wine room.

An Efficient Wine Refrigeration System is Essential for Proper Home Wine Storage

wine cooling systems for Texas and Chicacago wine cellars

Wine Refrigeration Systems

Where you build the room will be dictated by the ability to install your climate control system. Controlling the temperature is critical to ensuring your collection is protected and continues to grow in value.

When the ideal temperature (55-65 degrees Fahrenheit) is maintained in a cellar, wine will not be oxidized. Oxidation causes off flavors and discoloration in wine.

Additionally, an efficient wine cooling system also regulates humidity levels need in preserving wine’s quality. Humidity levels higher or lower than the normal range (60-70%) will damage the corks and wine labels.

View the different types and brands of wine cooling systems.

If you have considered building a wine cellar in your home, then don’t ask yourself if you should build one; ask, instead, how big you want it to be and what will go inside of it.

Wine racks are the framework of your custom wine cellar.

Whether you are building your wine cellar for storage or display, you must take into consideration what kind of racking system you want. Wine racks make your wine cellar collection organized. A well-organized collection of wine is not only pleasing to the eyes but it’s also practical for the owner. You won’t have a hard time trying to find any particular wine you want in your collection.

What wine rack should you use for your custom wine cellar?

Enhance the appearance of your wine cellar with a wooden rack.

Revamp your custom wine cellar with a wooden wine rack.

Wine racking systems come in all shapes and sizes. There are two major types of wine racks. First, there’s the wooden rack. Then, there’s the metallic racking system. What material to use depends on your preference, how large your wine collection, and the reason you are building a wine cellar.

Wooden racks are good insulators. These racks lessen the heat going through your wine bottles. This feature is favorable since heat could trigger premature spoilage of your wines. And, wooden racks give your wine cellar a classy and traditional look.

Metallic racks, on the other hand, give your custom wine cellar a modern and contemporary look. These racks are known for their durability and strength. Given they are installed in an optimum wine cellar condition, metallic racks are easy to maintain.

Whether you’ll be using your custom wine cellar for storage or display, making a well-informed decision on what wine rack to use could make the most of the functionality for each variant.