Build A Wine Cellar

Wine cellars are a great way to showcase your wine collection. Make friends. And ensure proper wine storage conditions.

Spaces for wine collections are a growing trend in home planning and design. Whether you live in a large country estate or a tiny apartment, as long as you are a wine enthusiast, your home probably needs a personal wine cellar. You can either create one yourself or team up with a professional.

Proper procedures include:

1. Determine the location

For your wine cellar to function efficiently and consistently, you need to choose a suitable location. Wine usually ages faster in warmer temperatures and slower in cooler temperatures. Similarly, high humidity levels can actually ruin your wine due to the growth of mould in the cork, whereas low humidity levels can dry out the cork, hence spoiling the wine. Therefore, the space you select must be at the right temperatures (11 – 14°C) and right humidity (60 – 70%). You will also need a space big enough to house the size of your cellar. Basements are perfect.

2. Do the drywall, framing, and insulation

A basic 2-by-6 or 2-by-4 wall can handle the framing of your space. For better insulation, you’ll need a thicker wall. Thicker insulation ensures you have a more moderate environment for wine storage. Once you frame your walls, it’s recommended to use R-19 insulation to insulate and waterproof your cellar. Apply the insulation on flooring, the ceiling and the inside of the framed walls. On the outside, apply or wrap a poly moisture barrier. Board the cellar’s interior using a green mild- and water-resistant drywall.

3. Install a cooling unit

There are many different methods and products you can use to cool your space. One of the products is a through-wall unit which creates a warm and cold room. Wine cooling units

normally control humidity and remove excess heat in the cellar. You can install the cooling unit through the wall’s framing.

4. Choose your lighting

Wine cellars are naturally cool but you can make them [look] cool by using great lighting. The style of lighting you select for your cellar is paramount. Normal halogen and incandescent bulbs emit too much heat, therefore, not suitable for your cellar. LED lighting options are incredible and emit virtually no heat. Explore lighting options like LED strip lights, puck lights and track lights to create an ideal design and show off your wine collection.

5. Make a doorway seal

Frameless glass doors help showcase your wine collection. They look extremely classy and offer the best viewing of your space. To install them, you need to create a seal in the cellar’s doorway. Proper installation means using an insulated, exterior-grade door or a dual pane glass.

6. Add humidity

You can add on a basic humidifier or an indoor fountain. All these can actually add the moisture you need. Indoor waterfalls or fountains add a wow factor and become a showpiece in your cellar.

7. Display your wine

Wine racking adds interest and makes your wine cellar look stunning. You can utilize metal/wood wine racks or use custom shelving to display and store your finest wines. The Wine Rack Shop – wine racks have a decent size range of wine racks to choose from. On their Pinterest account, they often upload images of their latest, Australia made designs.

Were these tip not enough? We’ve found a great video below for some additional resources for a DIY wine cellar on the cheap. Check it out!