How To Build Your Own Wine Cellar

What does a wine cellar accomplish? You need to be certain of the purpose of a wine cellar before you build one of your own. With the increasing number of wine aficionados around the world, a residential wine cellar is gaining popularity with both the mature wine connoisseur as well as the entry-level enthusiast.

Essentially, a wine cellar is a storage area that protects wine from potentially damaging conditions. Because wine is a natural, perishable beverage, it is vulnerable to harm from exposure to heat, light, and humidity. However, if stored properly, wines not only retain their quality, but will also improve their aroma, flavor, and richness as they mature.

Construct Your Own Wine Cellar

Before you start, remember that the ideal home wine cellar will provide constant temperature, humidity, and darkness.

To maintain your valuable collection properly you will also need good ventilation. So what are the necessary steps to creating your cellar.

Many wine cellar kits are available with prices ranging from around $2000 to $4000. This may be a conservative estimate which can increase depending on the quality of your wine racks and other optional furniture.

Depending on the size of your home, you may choose to place your cellar above or below ground. Basements are often the best location due to the temperature consistency and the support for the weight of the cooler and the wine racks.

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Start with insulation. Inner walls must have at least R-11 insulation while the outer walls and ceiling must have at least R-19. If you are building in a basement, a vapor barrier with a concrete sealant over it will be needed for the floor. The vapor barrier – a 6mm polyethylene plastic sheet – should face outward (the 'warm' side of your cellar). If the sheeting faces inward, dampness will damage the walls.

Next, choose and install a door. The ideal wine cellar door will be solid, windowless, and insulated – NOT wooden, because they do not provide adequate insulation. Install weather stripping and be sure the door is airtight.

A very important consideration is the placement of the cooler, which is ideally situated at the back of the space for aesthetic purposes. The cooler should be located between crosswise boards about 6 inches below the ceiling.

Finally, finish the walls and add lighting. Use drywall to cover the walls and finish with durable strip paneling. When installing your lights, avoid recessed lights because you they are not airtight. Light switches are best placed outside, or else they may be in the way of your wine racks.

Follow these guidelines and build your home wine cellar properly and it will keep your wine for years to come.