Everything to Consider When Building a Home Wine Cellar

Around 40% of American adults regularly drink wine, whether it’s with a juicy steak or alone.

For wine aficionados, there’s no greater accomplishment than building your wine cellar. Perhaps you’ve been flirting with the idea of a home wine cellar, but you’re not sure if it’s feasible.

Sounds like you? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here’s everything you need to consider before building a wine cave.  

Choose the Perfect Location

Before calling a cellar building service, choose the perfect location for your wine cellar.

Basements are a popular choice because they stay cool and they’re away from direct sunlight. If you’re choosing a garage, make sure that it’s the best wine temperature and there’s little light.

Got neither? Then transform a closet or area under the stairs into a wine cellar.  

Budget

Having a wine cellar budget is the key to staying on track. This will determine the room’s size, the types of wine you can afford, and the material used. Once you understand the ceiling of your budget, then you can dive into the nitty-gritty. 

Temperature and Humidity 

When storing wine at home, temperature and humidity are the most important elements.

This varies depending on the wine, but make sure the cellar is 60 degrees Fahrenheit with around 70% of humidity. But don’t worry if this isn’t possible, because you can install a wine cellar cooling unit to create the optimal environment for storing wine. 

You should also install a vapor barrier as it prevents moisture from seeping into the cellar. This will depend on the type of insulation you’re installing, so if you’ve chosen foam then invest in a poly vapor barrier so the cellar is sealed. 

If you’re struggling, hire a builder and they will guide you through the process.

Glass

Choose high-quality glass for your wine cellar as it offers insulation. As you draw plans, consider where it will be installed and the temperature of that section. This helps with the wine’s aging process and so it stays delicious. 

Wine Racks

As a wine connoisseur, you likely want to expand your collection so you’ll need robust wine racks. Although it’s tempting to save money, don’t choose the cheapest material as they may not withhold the weight of the wine bottles. 

If you’re after a modern style, choose stainless steel wine racks because they’re durable. Or, homeowners after a rustic style should find wooden, ceramic, or terracotta wine racks. 

Our Home Wine Cellar Tips

Hopefully, after reading this article, you now know how to build a home wine cellar.

Start by drawing up an ironclad budget, then choose a room and the style you’re after. And remember to invest in a state-of-the-art wine cooling unit and vapor barrier to create the optimal environment for your wine collection. Good luck!  

Did you find this article helpful? Awesome! Then check out our other posts on everything from Lifestyle to Finance.