For the novice, adding a wine room can seem like a daunting task.
Besides building the actual collection, homeowners must consider how best to store their wine, as well as what type of wine room would be best for their lifestyle. Whether you are thinking about adding a wine room to your own property, or you are browsing the housing market for a house with this amenity, wine rooms can be a great home investment opportunity.
Here are some great design tips and reasons why adding a wine room to your home is a wonderful idea.
With wine consumption on the rise in the United States, wine cellars are becoming increasingly popular. A report from the National Housing Association showed that over 30% of homebuyers with an income of $150,000 or more name wine cellars as one of their most desired amenities (Source- Realtor.com). Furthermore, home buyers expect a home priced at 1.5 mil or more to have a wine room. And with more and more gatherings happening in homes versus in public spaces, building a wine collection never sounded so smart.
In order to ensure that your wine is aging well, storing them correctly is of upmost importance. Temperature, humidity, light, vibration, even placement, all need to be taken into consideration.
Store wine between the temperatures of 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity of 57%. Temperature changes shouldn’t be sudden, or else the wine will breathe through the cork and age faster. Low humidity or storing wine vertically will also add to problems with aging, as the cork will dry prematurely and affect the seal quality. Be sure you can control the temperature and humidity of the wine room, and store the collection horizontally.
Light will also affect the quality of your wine. Keep your collection out of direct sunlight, otherwise it could spoil. This is one of the reasons so many wine bottles are tinted. Avoid using fluorescent and incandescent bulbs; instead, opt for lighting with low intensity and heat.
Finally, be sure to consider susceptibility to vibrations. Rosehill Wine Cellars says, “They [vibrations] can shake, rattle and roll the body out of the wine. Constant vibrations in your wine cellar will disturb the slow process of biochemical evolution in wine and this is often fatal to finer crus.” To avoid this pitfall, stay clear of hardwood floors in your wine room, as these floors contribute to micro-vibrations. Also, consider storing your wine on wood shelves. Wood might not be a great flooring material for a wine room, but it dampens vibrations when used as shelves. Lastly, keep your wine cellar away from exterior walls, where the outside elements (like a large garbage truck or even harsh weather) could cause vibrations.
There are a few different design options to consider when creating a wine collection. The first option, and the one that requires the least amount of space, is a wine wall. Wine walls can be fully enclosed, usually in glass, with temperature and humidity regulators. A wine wall can be used as a statement in your home, versus dedicating an entire room.
A wine closet is another option for a wine room. An example of this would be having a wine room under your stair well. This design keeps the wine room out of the line of sight, but still easily accessible. If you have a smaller wine collection and don’t want your collection on display, this could be a great option.
Lastly, for the professional wine collector, a complete wine cellar is also an option. With a large square footage, you’d have plenty of room for not only your wine collection, but also to relax or host tastings. Complete your wine room with comfortable furniture, or multiple high-top tables for hosting parties.
If you are currently building your wine collection, consider supporting the California wineries that have been affected by the wild fires. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost property, livelihoods, and loved ones.
From inception to final completion, Smith Brothers focuses on satisfying the goals of our clients by bringing comprehensive architecture, construction, and interior design to life! Learn more about our premium services today.
Sources for storage tips: VinoVest and Rosehill Wine Cellars
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