Why A Custom Wine Cellar Is The Best Option For Storing Wines

16 Feb Why A Custom Wine Cellar Is The Best Option For Storing Wines

Wine collectors and enthusiasts have several options for storing and aging fine wines. Proper storage is crucial to allow wines to mature properly and develop complex flavours over many years or even decades. The three main options wine lovers have for storage are wine refrigerators, wine racks, and temperature-controlled wine cellars. Each option has unique benefits and drawbacks, but a custom wine cellar wins easily on many fronts.

Types of Wine Storage Options

Let’s look at these wine storage options to understand why a wine cellar should be your preferred choice to store your precious wines:

Wine Refrigerators

A wine refrigerator is designed to store wine at optimal temperature and humidity levels. Refrigerators come in various sizes, from small countertop units that hold a few bottles to large freestanding models that hold hundreds of bottles. Wine fridges allow you to set a precise temperature that is ideal for wine storage, usually in the 12°C to 16°C range. They also provide humidity control.

Refrigerators are self-contained units that fit easily in your home, apartment, or office. A key advantage is temperature stability since the units are insulated and have cooling systems. This prevents fluctuation that could negatively impact your wine. The downside is that most refrigerators have vibration from the compressor and fan that can disturb sediment in stored wine over time. Refrigerators are best for short-term storage and wines you plan to consume soon rather than long-term aging.

Wine Racks

Wine racks come in various styles, sizes, materials and designs. They provide organised storage for wine bottles, from basic wooden rack systems to elaborate metal sculptural racks. Racks can be freestanding units, wall-mounted, or even built into cabinetry. A key benefit of racks is aesthetics, as they come in beautiful designs that can add décor style to any room. Wine racks are also very affordable options for wine storage.

The downside is wine racks provide minimal or no temperature and humidity control. Storing bottles long-term on racks exposes them to fluctuating room temperatures and humidity levels that can damage wines, causing breakdown. Racks are best used for everyday wine-drinking bottles rather than long-term cellaring.

Wine Cellars

A wine cellar is a controlled, specialised environment explicitly designed for long-term wine aging and storage. It is the best option for collectors seeking cellar wines for many years, allowing them to mature into their peak drinking window. Wine cellars provide stable, cool temperatures between 55-60°F along with humidity control. This climate is optimal for preserving wines and allowing complex flavours and aromas to develop over the years as tannins soften and acids integrate.

Cellars protect wine from damaging light and vibration that can disturb sediment. Custom-built wine cellars can be walk-in rooms, basement spaces, or refrigeration units. They provide ideal storage conditions explicitly tailored for wine. Wine cellars are the best but most intensive and expensive storage option. A wine cellar is the ultimate storage solution for wine enthusiasts with a significant collection they wish to have in the long term.

Benefits Of Custom Wine Cellars

There are many reasons to invest in a custom wine cellar, such as:

• For serious wine collectors, a custom-built wine cellar provides the ultimate controlled environment for long-term wine maturation.
• Custom cellars allow you to design all features to your exact specifications.
• A key advantage is precise temperature and humidity control that maintains ideal and stable conditions for premium wine storage.
• You can determine the layout, capacity, racking, lighting, security, and style elements.
• You can make unique design choices to match your aesthetic tastes.
• Custom cellars are also flexible spaces that can house various bottle sizes and formats and be designed around existing architecture and layouts.
• A cellar can be integrated seamlessly into the structure and layout for estate homes or renovations.
• From small, specialised refrigeration units to genuine walk-in cellar spaces, custom wine cellars are the best option for the passionate wine collector. They provide optimal aging conditions and enable the enjoyment of your prized wines at their peak.

Choose The Right Wine Cellar Builders

Customising all elements is vital for wine lovers dedicated to building a premier cellar. Though requiring greater upfront investment, custom wine cellars are the best way to properly cellar, organise, protect, and display an elite wine collection. If you want optimal benefit from your custom wine cellar, you must work with proven professionals with expertise. For more information about how we can help with custom wine cellar planning and installation, please call the Signature Cellars team at 1300 570 636 to discuss your requirements with our experienced team.