Wine Storage Options

Wine Cabinet, Wine Coolers, and Custom Wine Cellars

When it comes to aging and storing your wines, you have a few options. You can purchase a wine cooler, temperature controlled wine cabinet or build a wine cellar in your home.  The following will provide enough information to decide which storage solution would work best for you.

Wine Coolers 

Wine Coolers are ideal for the beginner wine collector or for storage of your 'everyday' wines.  

• Bottle capacities range from 16 up to 120 Bottles.   

• Danby, Marvel and Avanti selected models can be built in "under the counter".

• Warranties range from 1-5 years.

• Temperatures can be adjusted from 44-68 degrees on most units. 

Wine Cabinets

• Bottle capacities range from 52-2500 bottles.
• Cabinets ship fully assembled. All that you have to do is plug in the cooling system.
• You can choose from a solid panel door to a nice attractive window style that our manufacturers have to offer.
• You receive a factory warranty covering the cabinetry and cooling system for up to 5 years.
• Shipping can range from $265 and up depending on the cabinets destination.
• Production time can range from 4-10 weeks.
• These units are rather bulky, (similar to a refrigerator size) so it’s important to decide where you want to place your cabinet before ordering.  There is an option to have your cabinet built single deep 22" in depth if your limited on space.
• Most cooling systems require cleaning maintenance 2-4 times a year by vacuuming out the dust from the coils.  The Vinotheque QT Systems require little or no maintenance.
   

• You can transform your closet space, spare bedroom, basement, or just about any room into a wine cellar. 
• You have two choices – A ‘passive cellar’ where NO cooling system is needed OR a ‘conditioned’ cellar where a cooling unit is needed.
• PASSIVE cellars are ideal for those that have a consistently cool environment such as a basement.   You want to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations of more than 10 degrees.  For long term storing and aging it’s recommended to keep the temperature 55-58 degrees and humidity 50%-70%.  The best way to monitor this type of wine cellar is to place a temperature and humidity gauge inside.  Please read, “How to Properly Age Your Wine” for specifics on the right environment. You can always add insulation and a vapor barrier to create the environment you want.  The vapor barrier helps control the humidity inside the cellar while the insulation helps with the temperature by keeping the cool air in and the warm air out.  Passive cellars are the least expensive since you don’t have prepare and purchase a cooling system. 
• CO$T- Custom rack pricing ranges from $3.25 per bottle for All Heart Redwood Individual Bottle Racks. Diamonds & Rectangular Bins are around $4.00 per bottle.  Curved Corners are higher priced due to the amount of work needed to create the curved corners.  Table Tops, Stemware Holders, Arches are additional cost and vary according to size.  Fax us your room dimensions and we can work out a quote and drawing for you, free of charge.   Fax 925 447-8015.
  
   
• CONDITIONED cellars require more work, preparation and costs.  Please read “How to prepare your wine cellar” to get an idea of what work is involved.  You can have a contractor insulate the room, install the vapor barrier, set up the electrical so you have a dedicated circuit for the cooling system, install the flooring (if you change your existing floor), and install lighting if needed.  You have to decide where you want to place your cooling system.  Self contained units mount through the wall, require no tubing and vent into an adjacent (interior) room.  Split systems are used if you can’t vent into any room.  Split systems require a professional AC tech to install.
   
• Costs vary per project.  Converting a closet space into a conditioned wine cellar can start around $7500.  To get a precise quote, please contact us at (925) 447-8000.