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Start Your Own Wine Collection – We are Here to Help

Wine collecting is an interest that is slowly gaining popularity among wine consumers of different social classes. There are two reasons why most people venture into acquiring their own vintages: one is for profit as they can eventually sell their collection down the line, and second is passion for great tasting wines wherein having their own collection allows them to personally enjoy a nice bottle or share it with friends at any given time.

Custom Wine Cellar - Perfect for Storage of your Wine Collection

 

Whatever your purpose is, Wine Cellar SPecialists is here to help you along the way. Here are some tips we’ve gathered for you:

Storing a few bottles is a great way to kick off your collection as you can gradually increase the number of your vintages in the long run. Proper wine storage is of great importance to your wine collection as this can spell the difference between preserving the quality of your vintages and spoilage.

When deciding where to store your wine collection, you should take into account the three factors that can greatly influence the condition of your wines: light, temperature, and humidity.

Bright lights can interfere with the chemical compounds in wines which can alter its quality and taste; hence it is essential to store them in places where they are left untouched by the damaging effects of rays of light.

Temperature and humidity levels should be maintained at 50-55°F and within 60-75% respectively. In addition, keeping your wine in areas free of vibratory motion is a must since the slightest motion can have adverse effects on your wine. Storing your wine collection in an ideal environment ensures that your wine retains its excellent quality and at the same time keeps its label in pristine condition.

There are several options available for storing your wine collection. Converting your basement or garage into a wine cellar is one of them, and by installing a wine cellar cooling system in the room guarantees that the right temperature and humidity levels are maintained at all times.

If building a wine cellar in your home is not within your budget, then you can invest in a good quality wine cooler. Wine coolers have ample space to store quite a few wine bottles and it can mimic the ideal conditions required for proper wine storage.

Purchasing wine racks is another option. Wine racks are constructed out of wood, metal, or steel. They also come in a myriad of impressive designs that can certainly complement any kitchen or room in your household.

 

Curved Corner Standard Wine Rack

Curved Corner Standard Wine Rack - Elegant Wine Storage Furniture for your Wines

 

If you want a professional to look after your wine collection, then professional refrigeration is the best choice for you. A wine storage locker can be leased for your convenience and a wine expert is in charge of maintaining your wine bottles, for a price, of course.

The safety of your wine collection should also be taken into account. Keep in mind that the value of your wine increases as it ages, therefore it is imperative to take the necessary precautions for the safekeeping of your vintages. Having your  bottles of wine insured is one way of doing that.

Should you decide to expand your wine collection, there are wine retailers and vineyards that often grant buyers a reduced price when acquiring wines in bulk. However, it is recommended that you try one bottle first or, better yet, check out wine reviews online before you make a big purchase.

Furthermore, visiting different vineyards and signing up for their mailing list will avail you of discounts in the future.

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 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 than 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

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.

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.

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.