Cellars
Aging wine is a process that requires accurate attention to detail when constructing a custom built wine cellar. Many collectors choose to preserve wine to its finest by conditioning the environment within the cellar. Cellar construction usually consists of remodeling an existing space or beginning at the framing stage of a new home or business.
Below you’ll find some important details required while constructing your wine cellar:
- The wine cellar location should avoid natural light and be close to ground level or underground in a basement or cellar. It is also important locate the cellar away from any equipment that could emit vibrations, disrupting the wine's sediment.
- A vapor barrier of 6mill plastic sheeting applied to the warm side of the walls.
- Insulation applied to the inside of the walls using a minimum of R-13.
- Insulation applied to the ceiling should be a minimum R19-R30
- Flooring in a wine cellar should be a moisture resistant material such as, brick, concrete, wood, tile or stone
- Doors with glass inserts and windows within a conditioned cellar must have double pane glass
- The ideal methods for conditioning a cellar are split-air refrigeration systems or wall mounted refrigeration systems. Conditioning cellar environments will maintain a constant cellar temperature of 52-58 degrees with a humidity level of 50-70%
- All electrical and lighting components must be sealed with foam insulation or wrapped in vapor barrier to prevent air from escaping
- Lighting a cellar using sconces, tracks, recessed cans or any other common sources should be placed at a minimum of 20 inches from all wine and racking systems to reduce heat generated from the light source
- Using green board then drywall is a common method for the enclosing interior walls. Wood paneling, brick or stone veneer can be decorative elements applied to the interior
- Racking systems and cabinetry are typically the highlight of every cellar. Depending on each of our clients needs, the racking system can be designed by storage capacity, style, aesthetics or functionality. Heart Redwood and Mahogany are the most popular species of wood for a conditioned cellar. These woods have very high density levels and are resistant to mold and mildew
- In order to preserve the natural beauty of the wood and more importantly keep the cellar free from chemical vapors that could taint the taste of wine, we typically do not stain or varnish any of our cellar racking systems