Top 10 Design Considerations Ebook

Wine Cellar Top 10 Design Considerations Ebook

TOP 10 WINE CELLAR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

1 1 FRED TREGASKIS Owner, Summit Wine Cellars

My passion for wine had its roots in my art school years when I worked in the vineyards of New York's Hudson Valley. After a tenure working as a taster for a national magazine, I was asked to recommend someone who could design and build a 28,000 bottle wine cellar for Lespinasse Restaurant at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. Drawing from my experience in design, construction and fine wood working, I undertook the project myself. That led to the successful installation of many residential wine cellar designs as well.

In addition to designing and overseeing every project, I continue to write articles, attend and host wine tastings and host a radio show on NPR, WHDD/ Robin Hood Radio.

I am fortunate that my work takes me to the wine regions worldwide, enabling me to continually enjoy and learn about wines and wine storage innovations. I look forward to including you on my list of satisfied clients.

@WineCellarStyle

[email protected] ABOUT THE AUTHOR THE ABOUT WineWine CellarCellar TopTop 1010 DesignDesign ConsiderationsConsiderations EbookEbook

1 Why Build a Wine Cellar Page 4

2 Choose a Wine Cellar Contractor Page 5

3 Wine Cellar Size Page 7

4 Location Page 8

5 Temperature & Humidity Page 9

6 Wine Cellar Frame Out Page 10

7 Insulation & Vapor Barriers Page 11

8 Construction Materials Page 12

9 Entry Door & Lighting Page 13

10 Wine Racks Page 14 11 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE Why Build a Wine Cellar?

1 WHY BUILD A WINE CELLAR? Prior to starting on the design of your wine cellar, determine the overall purpose of your wine cellar.

Will you be storing wine bottles long term? Do you want to display a fine wine collection? How many wine bottles do you have and what size? What types of wine will you be storing Do you want to be able to sit or entertain from within the wine cellar?

TYPES SIMPLE AND ENTERTAIN OF 1 FUNCTIONAL 2 GUESTS WINE Designed to be a A showcase wine cellar with space for 2 basic wine cellar to wine tasting and other decorative wine CELLARS{ store and preserve. accessories need to be considered. Wine is the only “artwork you can drink. PAGE 04 Luis Fernando Oliverri

4 4 Location

Just as with real estate, the location of the wine cellar is important. Your wine cellar can be placed anywhere in your home, such as a small room or closet or under the stairs. The most popular location is your basement, below grade, since it tends to be cooler without a lot of light and vibration.

Is there an external wall? Consider your outside wall and the environment outside. Is this wall directly exposed to the sun? This will impact the wine cellar temperature. Ideally, you want an external wall that gets the least amount of sunlight.

Things to consider when selecting the location:

• Temperature. The ideal temperature and humidity for your wine is a consistent 55 degrees F and 60 % relative humidity. • No direct UV light. Lighting should be low wattage. Direct sunlight or incandescent light can adversely react with the phenolic compounds leading to wine spoilage. • Vibration. The vibration caused by furnaces, boilers, water heaters, or appliances can also affect the long-term quality of your wine.

CHOOSING A 2 WINE CELLAR CONTRACTOR Your wine cellar project is a statement of who you are and your lifestyle. The wine cellar builder needs to be able to listen to you and present a proposal that reflects you and your tastes. Here are some guidelines for selecting the right wine cellar builder.

ASK FOR LOOK AT INTERVIEW CHECK 1 REFERRALS 2 CREDENTIALS 3 CANDIDATES 4 REFERENCES Word of mouth is With recommendations Narrow down the list of Ask to see some of the the best way to in hand, do some contenders and set up contractors' projects. find a qualified preliminary research, meetings. Try to keep If you approve of them, professional to visit the contractor's it to three contractors, request references and tackle the job. Ask website. Find out because things can call the contractors' friends, wine store whether he or she get confusing beyond former customers. Ask and restaurant holds all the required that. Do they fabricate how the contractors did professionals licenses from state and their own wine racks to at executing the projects. whom they've had local municipalities, insure quality control? Were they on time and good experiences how long have they Or do they buy them on budget? How was the with. And ask what been in business? from a prefab wine rack level of fit and finish? made it a positive factory? What is their Was there anything that experience, how the experience with climate could have been done contractor handled control systems? How differently? problems and a contractor answers whether he or she questions is extremely would use the same important, but contractor again. communication goes both ways. Candidates should ask plenty of questions, too. PAGE 05

9 Location

Things to consider when selecting the location:

CHOOSING A 2 WINE CELLAR CONTRACTOR Quality of service will determine the quality of the finished project. Here are some things you'll want to explore and questions you'll want to ask when interviewing a wine cellar builder.

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND MANAGEMENT Does the designer: Maintain a permanent mailing address, e-mail address, personal phone number, cell phone and voicemail?Ask to see some of the contractors' projects. If you approve of them, request references and call the contractors' former customers. Ask how the contractors did at executing the projects. Were they on time and on budget? How was the level of fit and finish? Was there anything that could have been done differently?

Ask to see the insurance certificate for the wine cellar builder. Also, ask the builder how much the wine cellar will add to the home's value and attain additional insurance from your provider.

How long has the company been in business? Does the remodeler maintain solid relationships with contractors such as plumbers and electricians and work with them as a team?

GET IT IN WRITING After selecting a contractor, Bottom-line: a good wine cellar Summit Wine Cellars has 25 take a look at the documents builder should have a working years of wine cellar design, he or she has prepared. Do they knowledge of proper wine cellar fabrication and installation. look professional? Scrutinize the construction, storage, airflow We are also an authorized contract. Does it seem fair and and cooling units with several distributor for the leading balanced? How do they handle successful projects in their wine cellar climate control PAGE change orders? portfolio. systems. 06

9 3 WINE CELLAR SIZE How big do you make your wine cellar? How many wine bottles can fit into your wine cellar?

The size of your wine cellar comes down to the size of a single bottle of wine. Although bottle shapes and sizes vary, wine and champagne bottles are usually 750-milliliter bottles.

Consider what your personal collection of bottle sizes are. Be sure to include slots or shelves for some odd sized bottles that you may acquire or currently have.

Ensure flexibility for shelving odd sizes of bottles and allow growth as you add to your wine collection.

The most common complaint from clients is that they didn't build it large enough.

WINE BOTTLE MEASUREMENTS

187.5 ml 375 ml 750 ml 1.5 L 3.0 L 4.5 L 6.0 L 9.0 L Split Half Standard Magnum Double Jeroboam Imperial Salmanazar Magnum PAGE 07

Wine Cellar Size

How big do you make your wine Consider what your personal cellar? How many wine bottles can fit collection of bottle sizes are. Be sure into your wine cellar? to include slots or shelves for some odd sized bottles that you may acquire The size of your wine cellar comes or currently have. down to the size of a single bottle of wine. Although bottle shapes and Ensure flexibility for shelving odd sizes vary, wine and champagne sizes of bottles and allow growth as bottles are usually 750-milliliter bottles. you add to your wine collection.

Wine bottles average measurements are 3 – 3.2 inches (7.62 – 8.12 centimeters) and about 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) tall. Some champagne bottles may be slightly larger – 3.5 inches (8.89 centimeters) in diameter and perhaps 12.5 inches (31.75 centimeters) tall in a 750- milliliter amounts.

8 Location

Things to consider when selecting the location:

4 LOCATION Just as with real estate, the location of the wine cellar is important. Your wine cellar can be placed anywhere in your home, such as a small room or closet or under the stairs. The most popular location is your basement, below grade, since it tends to be cooler without a lot of light and vibration.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING THE LOCATION: TEMPERATURE NO DIRECT VIBRATION 1 FOR WINE 2 UV LIGHT 3 IN CELLAR The ideal temperature and Lighting should be low The vibration caused by humidity for your wine is wattage. Direct sunlight furnaces, boilers, water a consistent 55 degrees or incandescent light heaters, or appliances can F and 50-70 % relative can adversely react with also affect the long-term humidity. the phenolic compounds quality of your wine. leading to wine spoilage. PAGE 08

9 5 TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY The majority of wine cellar environments need to be actively cooled with a specialized wine cooling system.

Wine cellar cooling systems are specialized in that the equipment can cool down to as low as 50 degrees F or lower and they do not significantly dehumidify the air in the cellar. Ordinary air conditioners cannot achieve wine cellar temperature and humidity levels needed to store your wine.

The key to proper cooling and humidity levels? Consistency. Temperature fluctuations expand and contracts on the cork leading to leakage and spoilage.

Humidity is just as important as temperature. Your wine cellar needs to have a consistent 50 to 70 % relative humidity. If the wine cellar is not humid enough, the corks dry out and cause wine spoilage. Too much humidity can cause mold and degrade the corks, label and bottle.

Wine cellar cooling systems come in a variety of configurations from Through-the-Wall units, ductless split-systems, self-contained systems, ducted split-systems or ceiling systems. Your wine cellar builder/contractor can point you in the right direction in picking the right cooling system. PAGE 09

Temperature & Humidity

The majority of wine cellar Humidity is just as important as environments need to be actively temperature. Your wine cellar needs cooled with a specialized wine cooling to have a consistent 50 – 70 % system. relative humidity.

Wine cellar cooling systems are If the wine cellar is not humid enough, specialized in that the equipment can the corks dry out and cause wine cool down to as low as 50 degrees F spoilage. Too much humidity can or lower and they do not significantly cause mold and degrade the label and dehumidify the air in the cellar. bottle. Ordinary air conditioners cannot achieve wine cellar temperature and Wine cellar cooling systems come in a humidity levels needed to store your variety of configurations from wine. Through-the-Wall units, ductless split- systems, self-contained systems, The key to proper cooling and humidity ducted split-systems or ceiling levels? Consistency. Temperature systems. Your wine cellar fluctuations expand and contracts on builder/contractor can point you in the the cork leading to leakage and right direction in picking the right spoilage. cooling system.

10 6 WINE CELLAR FRAME OUT Framing out your wine cellar is the start in your wine cellar building process.

As you start out on your wine cellar building, remember one key word: Insulation. The thicker the wall depth, the more insulation and higher R value can be achieved. The same is true for the ceiling and floor.

FOR THE WALLS We recommend is 2" x 6" at 16" on center.

CEILING FRAMING We recommend is 2" x 8" at 16" on center.

PAGE 10

Wine Cellar Frame Out

Framing out your wine cellar is the start in your wine cellar building process.

For the walls, we recommend 2” x 6” @ 16” on center. The ceiling framing we recommend is 2” x 8” @ 16” on center.

11 Wine Cellar Top 10 Design Considerations Ebook

Insulation & Vapor Barriers AchieveINSULATION the traditional wine storage environment AND found in the cavesVAPOR of the finest wineries BARRIERS.. To properly control temperature and humidity, your wine cellar must be insulated and sealed 7 with a vapor barrier. Eco-friendly closed cell spray foam, professionally applied, is an allinclusive insulation and vapor barrier. UponAchieve completion of the wall traditional framing, run all electrical wine wiring storagefor lighting, outlets environment and your found wine room cooling system. in the caves of the finest wineries.. To properly control A vapor barrier is critical to maintaining the correct environment and preventing moisturetemperature from forming. Your and wine room humidity, should be hermetically your sealedwine all cellararound. must be Wrap the walls and ceiling with a 6mil poly vapor barrier. If the wine cellar is not in the basement,insulated the floor will and have tosealed be insulated with and a vapora vapor barrier installed barrier. as well. Eco-friendly closed Walls must be insulated with a minimum value of R-19 with the ceiling insulated with a valuecell of R -30.spray The higher foam, the R-value, professionally the better the insulation. applied, More insulation is isan allinclusive better.insulation and vapor barrier.

Vapor Barrier Upon completion of the wall framing, run all 6 mm plastic sheeting – apply electricalto outside wiring walls for and lighting, ceiling outlets and your wine room cooling system.

A vapor barrier is critical to maintaining the correct environment and preventing moisture from forming. Your wine room should be hermetically sealed VAPOR BARRIER all around. Wrap the walls and ceiling with a 6mil 6 mm plastic poly vapor barrier. If the wine cellar is not in the Vaporsheeting barrier installed - apply on the basement, the floor will have to be insulated and a outsideto outside of the cellar walls insulation vapor barrier installed as well. and ceiling, 12 Vapor barrier Walls must be insulated with a minimum value of installed on the R-19 with the ceiling insulated with a value of R-30. outside of the The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. cellar insulation More insulation is better. PAGE 11 1 1 Construction Materials After the cellar is framed, sealed, insulated and all electrical and plumbing has been roughed in, you will chose your wall, ceiling and flooring materials.

• Moisture resistant drywall/plywood material is fine for walls and ceiling or a damp resistance wood such as cedar or redwood. It should be finished tight to the floor. • For the floor, Install a vapor barrier under the floor; for concrete floors, treat with a water sealant. Tile, stone and brick work well as does cork flooring.

8 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS After the cellar is framed, sealed, insulated and all electrical and plumbing has been roughed in, you will chose your wall, ceiling and flooring materials.

FOR THE WALLS FOR THE AND CEILING FLOOR Moisture resistant drywall/plywood Install a vapor barrier under the material is fine for walls and floor; for concrete floors, treat ceiling. It should be finished tight with a water sealant. Tile, stone to the floor. and brick work well as does cork flooring.

PAGE 12

Entry Door & Lighting

Wine cellar doors should be fully insulated, similar to exterior doors. Any glass should be insulated, double paned, and airtight to prevent sweating and fogging. There are two main construction considerations when selecting a door:

• Gaskets — put around the frame to seal against the door • Floor Sweeps — used to seal the opening between the floor and bottom of the door. Hardware of the door should be commercial and exterior-grade quality.

What about electrical outlets or lights? Sealed plastic boxes should be used for: • Outlets • Switches • Fixtures In order to prevent outside air from entering the wine cellar, wiring penetrations should be caulked. Take care when installing boxes and wiring so you do not degrade the vapor barrier or insulation. Any penetration of the vapor barrier should be sealed airtight.

Lights add much to the atmosphere in a cellar, but also add a heat load to the cooling unit. Therefore it is best to use: low intensity lighting or light fixtures where the transformers are located outside the cellar.

Avoid recessed lights that penetrate into the insulation and vapor barrier. 9 ENTRY DOOR AND LIGHTING Wine cellar doors should be fully insulated, similar to exterior doors.Any glass should be insulated, double paned, and airtight to prevent sweating and fogging.There are two main construction considerations when selecting a door:

GASKETS ELECTRICAL OUTLETS Put around the frame to seal AND LIGHTS against the door. Sealed plastic boxes should be used for: FLOOR SWEEPS Outlets Used to seal the opening Switches between the floor and bottom Fixtures of the door. Hardware of the In order to prevent outside air door should be commercial and from entering the wine cellar, exterior-grade quality. wiring penetrations should be caulked.Take care when installing boxes and wiring LIGHTS so you do not degrade the Lights add much to the vapor barrier or insulation. atmosphere in a cellar, but also Any penetration of the vapor add a heat load to the cooling barrier should be sealed unit.Therefore it is best to use: airtight. low intensity lighting or light fixtures where the transformers Avoid recessed lights that are located outside the cellar. penetrate into the insulation PAGE and vapor barrier. 13 Racks

There are so many different wine rack designs that it really all comes down to preference and budget.

The majority of wine cellar builders will custom make your wine racks in a design that compliments your home décor. A variety of wood species with a variety of stains and finishes can be chosen. Or a mix of wood and metal for a more modern and contemporary look.

DIY (do-it-yourself) rack kits are also available. These types of racks are easy to assemble and install and come in a variety of sizes.

If you have only a few bottles of wine to store, a small tabletop model or a hanging wine rack could be your best choice. If you have many more bottles in your collection and are looking to grow your collection, a modular wine rack – one that can be easily added to/added on – is recommended.

Always keep in mind how your home decor. Your wine racks will be able to complement to the decoration and layout of your house.

A large or substantial collection will probably entail custom wine racks.

10RACKS There are so many different wine rack designs that it really all comes down to preference and budget.

Keep in mind your home's decor. Your wine racks should be able to complement to the decoration and layout of your house.

TABLETOP MODEL OR CUSTOM HANGING WINE RACK WINE RACKS If you have only a few A large or substantial bottles of wine to store, collection will a small tabletop model probably entail or a hanging wine rack custom wine racks. could be your best choice. If you have many more bottles in your collection and are looking to grow your collection, a modular wine rack - one that can be easily added to/added

PAGE on - is recommended. 14 WineWine CellarCellar TopTop 1010 DesignDesign ConsiderationsConsiderations EbookEbook

Fred Tregaskis and Summit Wine Cellars, LLC, (https://summit-cellars.com) have created dramatic custom wine cellars for clients throughout the world, from Maine to California, and Bangalore to Buenos Aries. Summit Wine Cellars has its own dedicated manufacturing facility in Connecticut, where expert craftsmen fabricate all the components in wood, metal, glass and other materials. Those bespoke components of each unique cellar are shipped to each cellar location and assembled there by Summit Wine Cellars, before the final flourishes and finishing touches are added.

I think it's important that the wine cellar be fun because wine itself is fun. “It should be generous and big and a cool place to go hangout. It’s the wine that’s the star of the show. I’m really making a pedestal for the wine.

Fred Tregaskis Owner, Summit Wine Cellars

To learn more about Summit Wine Cellars, LLC and the wine cellar design process, contact Summit Wine Cellars. Make sure to see the Portfolio pagefor examples of Summit's traditional and modern wine cellar design.

[email protected] 203-916-1664 11 www Summit-Cellars.com 11 SUMMIT WINE CELLARS SUMMIT