When you’re an oenophile, life’s better with an in-house wine cellar. Perfect for collecting, storing and aging wine, the right wine cellar might be the perfect addition to your home. Don’t commit to a plan just yet, though.
Making the Right Choice
There are different types of wine cellars, and your lifestyle, preferences and budget will help you choose the best one for your needs. You’ll need to consider:
- Your desired capacity. How many bottles do you want to store?
- Backup power. Wine needs to be kept at a fairly constant temperature, so you’ll need a plan in case the power goes out.
- How much space you have. If you’re adding on to your home or you’re incorporating a wine cellar into a custom home that you’re having built, you won’t be as limited as you will if you’re using existing space.
Wine Cellars: Active and Passive
Active wine cellars’ temperatures and humidity levels are managed by a climate control system, while passive wine cellars aren’t climate-controlled (they’re often built underground to keep temperatures fairly steady).
A Word on Wine Rooms
A wine cellar that’s built above-ground is often referred to as a wine room, but the same temperature and humidity requirements still apply.
Small but Effective: Wine Closets
Whether above-ground or below-ground, a small wine cellar that holds fewer than 500 bottles is commonly called a wine closet. If you don’t expect your collection to exceed 500 bottles, a wine closet might be the right choice. If you choose to have a wine closet built, make sure there’s room for expansion in case you change your mind.
Tips from the Pros
- Most wines can be stored between 45°F and 64°F, but lower temperatures mean slower aging. It’s generally best to keep your wine cellar between 50°F and 57°F so your wines can age normally.
- VOC-free paints and finishes won’t give off fumes that will corrupt your wine.
- Low-heat lights, such as LEDs, are usually the best – and most cost-effective – lamps to use in your wine cellar.
Thinking about Adding a Wine Cellar?
When you’re ready to talk about your remodeling plans, including the addition of a wine room or wine cellar, let us know. We specialize in custom construction in Middle Tennessee, and we’d love to talk about your project. Just fill out the form below. [gravityform id=”9″ name=”Contact Us”]
