To Cool or Not to Cool? (my Wine Cellar) That is the Question! #1

Part One – Wine Cellar Refrigeration

Many times hear this question, “Do I need to add a cooling unit or climate control system to my wine cellar?” In order to make a decision about this, there are several things you should think about. This is the first of three blog posts where we will attempt to answer this question.

1. What is the ambient temperature of the areas surrounding my wine cellar?

If your wine cellar is below ground level, in a basement, you are more likely to have a cooler environment than an above-ground cellar would have. Knowing the year-round temperature and humidity is important. If you are attempting to build a “passive” wine cellar (a wine cellar with no climate control), you need to make sure both the temperature and humidity are consistent and within the required limits year-round.

The temperature in a wine cellar should stay between 55-60 degrees and the humidity should range from about 50-75%. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity are some of the biggest factors that can destroy your wine collection. If your environment does not lend itself to a passive cellar, you may want to consider climate control, technically described as a wine cellar refrigeration system.

Have you measured the day-night variance in your Wine Cellar? – Wine Cellar Refrigeration Variance

Natural seasonal and in particular, day/night cycles generate surprising variations in temperature. These often vary more than most people realize. Wine Cellar Refrigeration may be vital to the long term stability of your wine collection.