According to the Global News Wire, the wine market is expected to reach $825.5 billion by 2030. Within that market, the fine wine trade is considered, by Forbes, a valuable investment to diversify your portfolio. That considered, at the end of the day, a night spent with good friends, good food, and fine wine is priceless.
If investing in a strong market or a good night has spurred your desire to start collecting wine, it may be time to consider adding a wine cellar to your home. While adding a wine cellar to your home may seem like a significant investment of time, money, and space, it doesn’t have to be. A little space goes a long way. In fact, a 25 square foot area, just five by five, is enough to store 500 bottles of wine. However, before you pull out your hammer and nails, there are a few things to consider.
The Basics — What is a wine cellar?
A wine cellar is a temperature and humidity-controlled storage space designed to store wine bottles or barrels long-term. It differs from the more common wine fridge in that a wine cellar is intended to preserve and help wine age over time. A wine cooler is excellent for less complex wines that will be consumed relatively soon as it keeps wines much cooler at proper serving temperature. In comparison, a wine cellar keeps wines at between 55 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity controls, dark conditions, and limited vibrations. A cellar is designed to help complex wines develop and age well and is more geared towards the long term.
Where to Start
Once you decide to invest in your wine-collecting goals, you’ll need to settle on a space and a budget. Viable spaces include everything from hallways, foyers, unused closets, pantries, and areas under the stairs to entire rooms, basements, and garages. To help you decide on the space, you may want to consider your budget. A wine cellar can cost anywhere from $5,000 to more than $100,000 to build. Typically, the bigger the space, the higher the cost. However, when it comes to wine cellars, there are other factors that contribute to the budget as well. For example, is this a new build or remodel, how much construction needs to be done, how much will have to be done to insulate and seal the space, and what type of wine cooling system will work best will also factor into the budget.
Next Steps
While it’s possible to DIY a wine cellar, it will be complicated and can be just as costly as a professional. Another option is to order a custom wine cellar based on your specifics. Then, you can either hire professionals to install it or install it yourself. There are several companies available to source custom wine cellars. For example, Wine Cellar HQ and Wine Racks America will design a custom wine cellar for your space. These companies take your specific space, needs, and design aesthetic into consideration and then deliver a custom wine cellar typically within six to eight weeks.
Anyone who has had a good glass of wine knows that it’s something to be cherished. Cheers to your wine-collecting and cellar adventures. Or, as Robert Louis Stevenson says, “Wine is bottled poetry.”
