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
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
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
Complete 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.
Creating a safe wine storage facility requires the help of a professional wine cellar builder. Failure to store wine in a climate-controlled environment will result in waste of time and money you spent for your collection. For this very reason, Wine Cellar Specialists recommends investing in a functional Texas custom home wine cellar that will preserve wine for many years to come. They ensure that every wine room they build is installed with essential components, especially the wine cellar cooling system. Their expertise in proper wine storage enables them to build safe home wine cellars.
One of the Most Outstanding Custom Wine Cellars Designed and Built by wine Cellar Specialists
An Effective Residential Custom Wine Cellar – the Perfect Place for Your Growing Collection
Custom Home Wine Cellar Designed by Wine Cellar Specialists Texas
Any oenophile worth his or her weight in wine knows that enthusiastic wine collecting needs a suitable place at home in which to grow. Fortunately, as more and more people turn to wine as a hobby, your options for building a wine cellar or having a wine cellar built in your home continue to grow.
Wine cellars are not particularly difficult to find room for in a moderately sized home, and you can not only find plenty of do-it-yourself guides to help you along the way, but also get help from experts ready to make your dreams come true.
Wine Cellar Specialists is your one-stop source for all things related to wine storage. They provide the essential components for your Texas home wine cellar, such as wine racks, cooling systems, doors, and flooring. They have found that the cellar itself is often the easy part of the project. You may know where in your home you can build a space in which to store your wine.
With the help of an expert like Wine Cellar Specialists, you do not have to break the bank to build a functional wine cellar in your home. They will create a well-thought-out design that will suit your functional, aesthetic, and financial requirements.
A well-designed residential wine cellar will not only keep your wines safe for many years. It will also enhance your guests’ drinking experience. Wine Cellar Specialists cares for your collection. Therefore, they always see to it that every wine cellar they build has high-grade components and are installed correctly.
Preserving Wine Quality with an Efficient Wine Cooling System
Wine Cooling System – an Essential Component of Texas Wine Cellars
You may know about the temperature requirements for your cellar, and you may even know about the difference in humidity your cellar needs to be at, compared to the rest of your house.
Wine needs a stable environment to preserve its desirable characteristics. Extreme temperature changes will deteriorate your wines. To achieve the ideal wine storage conditions, wine be stored in a wine cellar equipped with a reliable wine cooling system.
The type and capacity of your cooling unit depend on the number of bottles in your collection, and the size and location of your wine room. If you are not sure which refrigeration system suits your needs, please see the different wine cooling options offered by Wine Cellar Specialists.
Wine Cellar Specialists will perform a heat load calculation for the proper sizing of your wine cooling system. This process will ensure that your equipment is not too big nor too small for the size of your wine cellar.
This team of experts has extensive knowledge and understanding about proper wine storage. They know the crucial role of wine cellar refrigeration units in protecting the wine’s from external factors such as heat, light, odor, and vibration. They offer reliable wine cellar cooling systems from the following top-notch manufacturers:
WhisperKOOL
Wine Guardian
CellarPro
US Cellar System
CustomWine Racks
Whether you want something custom to your taste, or you want one of our modular rack kits, Wine Cellar Specialists can help.
Your wine rack system is one of the factors that contribute to the overall appeal and functionality of your Texas home wine cellar. You must choose the right material and design to allow for a more organized storage system, to ensure bottle safety, and to create attractive wine displays.
Wood and Metal Custom Wine Cellar Racks
Wine racks can be made of wood or metal. Wooden wine racks add warmth to your storage space. They are durable and offers design flexibility. Their timeless appeal make them a favorite choice of homeowners, builders, designers, architects, and contractors. Redwood. Mahogany, and Alder are some of the attractive and durable wood species used for manufacturing wine racks.
Metal wine racks are ideal for modern homes. They add sleek appearance to custom wine cellars. Master builders recommend the VintageView metal racking systems. They are known for their durability and ability to match any décor. The label forward orientation of VintageView wine racks makes it easier to see the wine labels.
Custom Wine Cellar Doors
Texas Custom Wine Cellar Door
But you know one part of the wine cellar that often goes overlooked until the very end? Wine cellar doors. Don’t leave your door as an afterthought. It is as important as your cellar itself.
As many options as you have for cellars, your options for cellar doors are just as limitless. Keep in mind that the door needs to be exterior-grade, provide insulation, and have proper weather stripping. Beyond the practicality of the door you pick – it is the FIRST thing you and your guests see when you walk into your cellar. You want to pick something that not only fits the rest of your home but also fits your cellar AND your personality.
If you choose a door that opens into your cellar, but make sure that the door will not hit any racks (or, more importantly, any bottles of wine) when it opens. If you pick a door with glass, make sure the glass is duel pane tempered glass and properly fits the door frame. Most of the cold air that escapes from a wine cellar escapes from under the door. An automatic door bottom will help to seal below the door. If you pick a poor door, then all of the work you’ve invested in your cellar and your wine may be for nothing.
Any wine collector knows that a wine cellar is the way to go. Not only does it give you total control over your wine and its storage, but it will also, in time, add value to your home.
You may choose between solid wooden door, a glass door with wooden frame and wrought iron grill, and a seamless glass door.
An Expert Can Help Build Your Dream Wine Cellar
Why build a wine cellar? Why not build a Texas home wine cellar? And why not let the experts help you make your wine cellar dreams come true?
Wine Cellar Specialists has proven its expertise, reliability, and creativity in building outstanding refrigerated wine cellars for homes.
If you have questions or want more information about how they can help you build a custom wine cellar, call Wine Cellar Specialists at 972-454-0480, or you can e-mail them at info@winecellarspec.com. They can help you stay within budget, find something that fits your needs, and something that not only shows off your superior taste but also complements your fine wine collection.
You want to build a wine cellar, or maybe you already have one, and you’re thinking about how to fill it (with more than your wine collection, that is). Texas wine cellars are more than the racks you put inside, and of course you will needs racks, because bottles of wine should be stored at a 15 degree angle to make sure the cork doesn’t dry out.
Adding Furniture to Your Texas Home Wine Cellar
Some wine enthusiasts invest in furniture to add a decorative touch to their wine rooms, enhance the wine drinking experience, provide convenient access to wines, or add space for serving and decanting wine.
Wine Tables
Functional Wooden Wine Table in a Texas Wine Cellar
Did you know that some modern wine cellars also have tables inside that can serve as a tasting station?
Or, in some homes, the wine cellar is where dinners begin and end. How fun, to select a bottle of wine out of your collection in front of the people who will enjoy it.
A wine table is similar to any other table in your home. However, remember, if your wine cellar is climate controlled, it will be approximately 55 degrees in the cellar.
You will probably not want to sit around your table while you casually drink your wine. You may use it to sit a case on when unpacking your wines. You may use it to sit your bottles on when selecting which wine to drink.
When you pick a wine table, look for the same features as you would any other table. The table should be a comfortable height, size, and the material of your table should be sturdy and match the rest of the décor. It should hold up well in a high humidity. A wine table is not the place to splurge on bells and whistles. You don’t want your table to overwhelm the room.
Your table should compliment your racks, which should be easy, as most racks come in materials that tables also come in. If you are going with a modern look, then pick a wood or metal table that will look good next to metal wine racks.
Eco-Friendly Wine Barrel Table
At Wine Cellar Specialists, they create wine tables made from wood or metal. For eco-friendly homeowners, a wine barrel table is recommended.
Since it provides a unique space for serving and tasting wines, hosting wine tasting parties can be more memorable.
Pairing furniture in your Texas wine cellar is as much art as it is science, and like pairing a good wine with a good meal, you should think about what you’re doing before starting out.
Wine Cellar Stools/Chairs
The table won’t be complete without some stools or chairs around it. These pieces of furniture can be made of hardwood or metal. Texas home wine cellar builders also recommend stools or chairs made of reclaimed wine barrels.
It is ideal that the material of your stools or chairs complement the wine racks.
It should also be chosen according to the size of your Texas wine cellar, your personal style and budget.
Wine-Rolling Ladders
Wine Cellar Rolling Ladder
Another furniture element to consider is installing a ladder, if your racks are high enough to warrant a ladder. Not only can a ladder make reaching those hard-to-reach bottles easy, but it can probably roll out of the way when not in use, leaving plenty of room to move around it.
Dragging a chair in each time you want to reach those top shelves isn’t really an option, nor should it be an option. Think about your current and future wine collection needs when designing your custom wine cellar, and when deciding how to furnish it.
Make sure the ladder will roll well on the flooring you pick for your cellar. Use a solid wood or tile floor when installing a ladder.
Pick the layout that will work and look the best for you. Remember, no two wine cellars are the same. Yours should reflect you and your collection.
At Wine Cellar Specialists, they offer straight and bent wine cellar ladders. They offer wood and metal library ladders. Wooden rolling ladders are made from quality hardwoods: Mahogany, Cherry, Birch, Alder, Red Oak, Maple, Walnut, or White Oak. The wood can be applied with your chosen stain, or can be left unfinished.
For the metal wine cellar ladders, you can choose between matte, white, gloss black, colored powder-coated, metallic beige, or standard milled aluminum finish.
The furniture you use inside your wine cellar will depend on how large your wine cellar is as well as how many racks you have for wine. Keep in mind that your cellar should not only accommodate your current collection but also grow with you.
Furniture may get in the way of such growth, so make sure that you choose items that will work with your future needs. No matter the direction you go, your decisions should be right for you and your needs.
Need help? Wine Cellar Specialists can help find the furniture that will complement your wine storage space. Don’t have a Texas wine cellar yet? Contact Wine Cellar Specialists at +1 (866 ) 646-7089.
So you’ve decided to build a home wine cellar. Or, you already have one. Great. You know you’re a serious wine collector when you have a wine cellar in your home. Not only do you have a safe place in which to let your collection age and gain in value, but you also have a great place to take guests coming over for dinner. Let them wander in your cellar, maybe even select the wine you’re serving with dinner. Or, rather, select the wine with them.
Proper Wine Storage Tips
But as with anything, there is good storage and there is bad storage.
Good storage can help protect your wine while bad storage and destroy your wine in no time at all.
Make sure that doesn’t happen to you by following these simple rules for storing wine in your home (whether in a home wine cellar or in your kitchen).
Wine Should Not be Exposed to Excessive Heat
Wine should be stored in dark places. Don’t let the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays get to your wine.
These rays can damage your wine and, in some cases, make it undrinkable. That’s why most experts suggest storing wine in a Texas home wine cellar, or, lacking that, on a rack that you’re able to keep in an out-of-the-way place.
Your wine storage space must be installed with the proper lighting system. Seek the help of an expert to ensure that your wine cellar lighting does not emit too much heat.
Keep Wine Away from Vibration
Believe it or not, vibrations (like what you’d feel in a room abutting a garage with a door that opens and closes electrically) aren’t good for your wine. Where you store your wine should be as free of vibrations as possible.
Too much vibration can accelerate the chemical reactions in the wine. It can disturb the sediments in wine and may ruin the complex flavours and aromas of the wine. Building a wine cellar near any equipment, machinery, or appliance is not recommended.
Temperature and Humidity Must be Regulated
The temperature and humidity of the place where you store your wine are critical for best protecting it. If you can use or have access to a hygrometer, great.
The humidity in the room where you store your wine should be between 50 and 75 percent. If you realize that the humidity is low, do something about it. Install a humidifier, if you’re storing wine in a room as opposed to a cellar. And if you’re storing wine in a climate-controlled cellar, your unit will already get rid of excess humidity.
Keep in mind that wrong humidity levels can cause moisture build up in your Texas home wine cellar. When this happens, your wine room can be a breeding ground for moulds and mildew. These fungi can damage your wine labels, the quality of your wines, as well as the integrity of your racking.
In the rare cases where you need to add humidity, a wine cellar humidifier can be installed or use the poor man’s method… add a small container of water across the room from the cooling unit. The moisture will be drawn up through the air as the unit tries to rid the room of excess humidity. Problem solved.
As for temperature, your wine should be stored in at approximately 55 degrees. Make sure you can control the temperature in the space where you are storing your wine. Most climate control systems come pre-set at 55 so you do not have to adjust.
When the temperature is not regulated, wine cannot preserve its desirable characteristics. Very low or very high temperatures can cause unpleasant tastes in wine.
Choose Quality Wine Racks Manufactured by an Expert
Beautiful Wine Racks System
The way you rack your wine is also important. Did you know that if you have a display row where your wine is stored at an angle, it should be at no more than a 15-degree angle so the cork stays moist? If you buy pre-made racks, make sure this is possible.
If you’re having racks built, make sure your builder knows what he or she is doing. It is best to hire a company who specializes in wine cellars. Even then, be aware that all of the manufacturers do not make their racks with the same quality or specifications.
Also, make sure that your wine rack system is designed with features that will enhance your drinking experience with family and friends. Your chosen builder should assess all your functional and aesthetic requirements. This will help them create a Texas home wine cellar that will store and display your favourite vintages safely and beautifully. See quality wine racks offered by a master builder.
Organize Your Collection Effectively
e-Sommelier Wine Inventory System
Finally, you have to keep your wine storage organized. The organization is key to a good wine storage system. Store your wine by category or by collection. Keep a written record of what you have and where you are storing it.
Depending on your collection, you may be doing this for insurance reasons anyway. If you have a large collection you might want to invest in a computerized inventory control system. It really is the best way to make the most of your storage system.
A Wine Storage Specialist Can Build a Safe and Attractive Wine Room for You
With the help of a master builder, you can have a Texas home wine cellar designed to store your collection properly. Planning to start your wine room project? Wine Cellar Specialists can help you! Contact them today at +1 (866 )646-7089 or request a 3D wine cellar design for FREE!
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
The Right Type of Wine Racks is Important in Wine Storage
Proper Storage of Red and White Wines
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.
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
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
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.
We couldn’t be more thrilled! Check out some of our awards and their corresponding projects:
We had a start to finish excellent experience with Wine Cellar Specialists. After talking to a couple of carpenters about converting a closet into a small wine cellar I wasn't very confident they knew what they were doing so I started looking for expertise and found Wine Cellar Specialists.
I had my consultation with Brad Cupp and he was very passionate about their business and options
Steve Gee
We had a fantastic experience with Brad Cupp and Wine Cellar Specialists-Dallas. They converted an under-the-stair closet into a fabulous refrigerator cellar that holds about 400 bottles of wine. The attention to detail and craftsmanship was well worth the time it took to complete this job. You don't always get what you pay for, but in this case, I truly believe that we did. Thank you for an exceptional job.
Timothy Martin
Wine Cellar Specialists provided us a custom black iron/glass door as the main feature to our new wine cellar. The quality is excellent and the look is just what I asked for. Thanks so much.
Aiden K
I purchased a wine cellar door from Wine Cellar Specialist and had the pleasure of working with Alex. She helped me design a custom door that was absolutely beautiful. This was a very big project and she was so kind and professional and held my hand throughout the whole process. It was an amazing experience. I researched other companies before choosing Wine Cellar Specialists and it was their customer service and attention to detail that made my decision so easy. I highly recommend them for any wine cellar project.
G
Gary Anderson
Great experience with the process and progress completion - Brad Cupp dons well in coordinating and communication. All the sub contractors were good to work with and were attentive to cleaning after work. Plus the important end result was a wonderful wine cellar that can accommodate over 700 bottles of wine in relatively small area. Highly recommend!
Dallas 
Complete 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.
