A custom home that includes a wine cellar is both an addition and feature that truly makes it a luxury home. Whether you’re a life-long wine connoisseur or new to collecting, a wine cellar is a perfect way to store, display and enjoy your collection. Wine cellars offer a beautiful yet practical way to provide storage for your collection while protecting your investment. Wine cellars can improve the value of your home, making it more attractive to future homebuyers as well.
If you’re in the design phase of your custom home and are considering a wine cellar for your new home, you need to think of a number of design and related topics. Such as, what type of wine racking will best suit your home and your lifestyle? What is the best way to incorporate seating and dining areas if you want to entertain in your wine space? What are the specifics when it comes to storing wine safely?
Custom Wine Cellar Racks
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when thinking about the design of your custom wine cellar is the racking that will hold your wine bottles. Typically made out of wood or metal, wine racks are available in a variety of finishes and styles so that you can choose a racking system that is both practical and attractive.
Wood Racks
Wood racking systems are available in floor-to-ceiling racks, half-height racks, and many other configurations. Adding custom crown and base molding to wood-based wine rack systems is a way to make the shelving look more finished and pull the piece together.
Metal Racks
If you prefer a more modern look for your wine cellars, you will want to opt for metal wine shelving or metal wall-mounted pegs. Many of the metal systems on the market store the wine in a way that shows off the entire bottle and label rather than hiding it within the shelving. Available as freestanding designs, built-in components, or a combination of both, metal wine racking tends to look luxurious when combined with glass walls and accents and smart backlighting.
Whether you choose wood or metal racking systems, consider adding a small built-in tabletop or counter for tasting purposes. This allows you to enjoy your wine right in the cellar. Along with displaying your wine, think about how you will shelf and display wine glasses. They’re a big part of the wine-drinking experience too!
Table or Counter Top
A tabletop inset or countertop in the cellar can be a great option for homeowners who don’t plan to host many guests in their wine cellar. A new trend in wine cellars is adding dedicated seating and eating areas for a full wine cellar experience. You will also want to take the size into consideration. Do you want a small round table for four, or do you have a large area you can have a full table for 6 to 8? All of these options allow for tastings right in the cellar.
How to Store Your Wine
The cooling system for your wine cellar is one of the most important keys to your new space. Keeping your wine in a temperature and humidity-controlled cellar helps to age the wine even better. Wines will age four times faster when stored at room temperature, between 68 and 80 degrees. This is why wine stored properly, 45-65 degrees, will keep your wine longer, 55 degrees being the ideal temperature. A temperature and humidity-controlled wine cellar is your best bet. Make sure to keep your wine far away from extremely hot or cool temperatures. Anything you can do to keep your wines’ temperature steady is an ideal way to store your collection.
Watch Your Moisture
Wines will be ruined when air gets into the bottle, so keeping air out is key to successful wine storage. One of the best ways to ensure that your wine remains air-free is to keep an eye on your humidity level to keep corks from drying out. Most vintners suggest keeping your wine storage humidity between 50 and 80 percent, with 70 percent being considered ideal. Constantly monitor your wine cellar against drier or damper conditions so that you can take action accordingly.
Enjoy Your Custom Wine Cellar
Wine collecting is a fun and rewarding hobby. So, if you’re considering adding a wine cellar to your custom home, you will need to think about a few things like how to properly store your wine and which wine racking complements your taste and style while fitting in with the rest of your home. Think about how you want to use the space in terms of entertaining, tasting and eating, as you’re working through the design process. Also, don’t forget about the science and importance of wine storage to keep your wines aging perfectly. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way toward enjoying your new wine cellar today and tomorrow. Colby Construction is experienced in building wine cellars that can meet any collector’s desires.
The post Wine Cellars: A Perfect Addition to a Custom Home appeared first on Colby Construction.