Building a new wine cellar is an exhilarating process. Did you know that the U.S. consumes the largest volume of wine of any country, at 33 million hectoliters in 2018? At 26.8 million hectoliters, France was the second leading consumer of wine worldwide. And it’s no wonder why. A passion for wine is a fulfilling hobby, and building your own wine cellar allows for even greater enjoyment. From the blueprint stage to opening the first bottle of wine, there is nothing quite like the joy that you experience from having your very own wine cellar. But far too many people rush into the process without considering some very important variables first. How can you avoid making the same mistakes as them? Follow our simple guide that covers a few basic considerations to keep in mind when you’re building out your new wine cellar.

Consider the size of your wine closet

There are a few key elements that you should always be mindful of when you are getting ready to build your first wine closet. The first element is the size of the cellar. If you are only planning to house a smaller collection, then you don’t need much space. However, a lot of wine enthusiasts prefer to begin with a bit more space so that they can expand their collection as needed. Of course, if you are planning on storing a large amount of wine, or having barrels and furniture set up in the wine closet, then making sure you have ample room is an absolute must. Make sure to account for the size of the wine closet before you get too excited planning out other elements and features.

Location and Temperature Are Important, Too

Location is critical as well. Many people prefer to have their wine cellar positioned in the basement or somewhere else underground. This is usually the ideal environment for a wine cellar, as it can help to regulate the environment for the long term storage of wines. Remember to keep an eye on any power, plumbing, or other structural issues if you’re having your wine cellar installed in your home.

Finally, it’s important to understand how the temperature in your wine cellar will affect the storage of your wine, both in the short term and onward into the future. By maintaining a moderate, consistent temperature in your wine cellar, you ensure that your wines will age in the proper way. Letting the temperature in the cellar get out of control is one of the quickest ways to degrade the overall quality, longevity, and flavor of any wine that you plan to store.

Find a company that can help you with every step of the process

Most people simply do not have the time, knowledge, or experience to properly construct a wine cellar of their own. This is why it’s a good idea to consult with a company that has the expertise that can help to make the process go that much smoother. It is all too common for people to think they can handle the wine cellar building themselves, only to discover that they have made crucial errors which lead to lots of wasted time, money, and renovations. Thankfully, there is an easy way to avoid these kinds of headaches: hire a company that can help you build your cellar.

While there may be many companies that specialize in wine cellars, it’s important to get one that you can trust. Make sure that the company has demonstrated experience in the field. Seeing some past projects is usually a good way to make a fair assessment of the overall quality and strength of the company’s offerings. You also want to be sure that past customers have good things to say about the company. The skill of the company’s builders is important, but it’s also wise to find people who prioritize each and every customer service interaction. When you find a company that meets this criterion, things are much easier.

At Summit Cellars we are proud to offer a wide variety of wine closets, walk-in wine cellars, wine cellar furniture, and all kinds of wine inventory to help you construct your ideal wine cellar environment. It doesn’t matter whether you’re experienced in building out wine closets, or if you’re just starting out, our team of professional wine cellar builders is here to help you bring your vision into reality. So what are you waiting for? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today for more information!