Category Archives: wine cellar refrigeration systems

Construction of a Beautiful Wine Cellar in a Home in Irvine, California

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Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is one of the most trusted wine storage builders in California. They recently completed a construction project for a client in Irvine, a city in Orange County. They built a beautiful and uniquely designed residential wine room that can accommodate wines and other types of liquor. The builders used Redwood for the storage structure’s racks and shelves. Coastal teamed up with Arctic Metalworks Inc. for the installation of a ductless split type refrigeration system. 

Wooden Racks and Wine Storage Cases Made from Lacquer Finished Redwood

Wine Cellar Redwood Racks Irvine CaliforniaThere are various types of wood on the market for making wooden wine racks and shelves. The type of wood that a cellar owner chooses will determine not only the durability of the storage structure, but also its aesthetic value. Coastal builds wooden wine cellars from the most popular materials, like Pine, Redwood, Sapele, Mahogany, and Walnut.

Get more information about the most popular types of wood used for building wooden wine racks and shelves. Click here!

The team of wine storage experts from Coastal decided, together with the client, to use Redwood for the construction of the racking and the shelves. Redwood is a popular choice among homeowners because it is very durable. It has natural oils preserved in it that make it highly resistant to moisture and mildew. A lot of people love Redwood also because of its aesthetic qualities. Its soft earth tone colors are known to develop beautifully over time.

Redwood, if kept unstained or unfinished, is still gorgeous. This is why some people choose to use Redwood without any stain or finish. But the Irvine construction project client wanted his wooden racks and shelves to be lacquer finished. He asked the team from Coastal for advice, and the experts agreed with the client that applying a lacquer finish to the Redwood racks and shelves will enhance the color Wine Display Row LED Lighting Irvine Californiaof the material.

There are many kinds of finishes on the market. Shellac, polyurethane, lacquer, and varnish are a few of the most common types of finishes for wooden wine racks. Not all of these types of finishes are compatible with all kinds of wood species. It is imperative to consult with a wine storage specialist regarding the application of stains and finishes, so that the right product can be used.

Many people choose lacquer because it is very durable. It is also well-loved because it provides a stunning gloss to the wood that is applied to. As per the request of the client, the expert builders from Coastal applied lacquer on the wooden racks and shelves. The finish made the Redwood’s colors more pronounced, and this made the client very happy.

Wood stains and finishes should only be applied by a professional. Find a wine storage expert now by clicking here!

Wooden Shelves and Single Bottle Wine Racks Custom-Designed by Coastal 

One of the reasons why this construction project was successful was the open communication between the client and the builder. The homeowner was freely contributing ideas to the contractors regarding the design of his wine room. For example, it was the client’s idea to install the wood storage cases on commercial rollers. The setup helped the client reach for bottles in the boxes conveniently. Instead of bending down, he simply pulled the shelves out by rolling them across the rollers.

Wooden Storage Cases Irvine CaliforniaCommercial wood cases come in various sizes. Some of these wooden boxes can accommodate three to twelve bottles, depending on the design. Coastal custom-designed the shelves in the Irvine residential wine cellar, so that the openings were large enough to accommodate wines of varying sizes, including standard champagnes, Oregon Pinots, Shiraz, Turley Zinfandels, and other large format bottles.

In one of the cellar’s shelves, a display row accented with LED lighting was added. The client loved the display row not only because it made his wine room look stellar, but also because it provided a convenient way to manage his stock. The wines in his collection can easily be organized by storing similar bottles above and below the display row.

Originally, the Irvine wine room had a mini cellar on one side, which was intended for storing whites, champagnes, and other bottles that needed to be stored at a cooler temperature. The client gave his mini cellar away some time ago. The area where the mini cellar stood became an empty space. The client called the team of builders from Coastal to come back and construct more single bottle storage racks, which will be used to fill the area where the mini cellar used to be.

Have your own home custom wine cellar designed and built by a trusted expert. Contact a wine storage specialist now! Click here!

Arctic Metalworks Inc. Installed a High-Quality HVAC System in the Irvine Residential Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Louvered Grill Irvine CaliforniaAn ideal wine cellar has to have an efficient cooling system installed. Without dependable HVAC equipment, a storage room cannot provide the required climate conditions that are needed to keep wines from spoiling. Custom wine cellars vary in many ways, like size and number of stock stored. These are a couple of the factors that should be considered when choosing a cooling unit for a storage room. Each wine room needs a different refrigeration system, and an HVAC expert should be consulted in order to determine the most suitable equipment for a storage space. For the Irvine residential wine cellar, a team of cooling experts from Arctic Metalworks Inc. installed a high grade ductless split type refrigeration system.

The technicians from Arctic Metalworks installed the HVAC system’s evaporating unit on the cellar wall, and they set up the condenser outdoors. This split type configuration made the client very happy because there was no hot air exhausted inside his house. Moreover, he was pleased that the evaporator operated quietly inside his cellar.

The evaporating unit was mechanical-looking in nature. The client did not want the HVAC system to be seen in his wine cellar, and so the builders made a wooden box for the unit and covered it with a louvered grill. The material used for the box and louvered grill was the same wood used for the racks and shelves.

Find out what cooling unit is most suitable for your home custom wine cellar. Consult a wine storage refrigeration specialist today! Click here!

A Successful Newport Beach California Wine Closet Conversion

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Closet conversion is becoming popular in the design and construction industry.  Many home owners are considering having a vacant small or large space in their home converted into something useful.

One residential owner in Newport Beach contacted a California wine cellar builder to request help in converting his closet into a custom wine cellar.  The client wanted a wine storage and display space that was both functional, and elegant.

Newport Beach  California Wine Closet Project Site

Newport Beach California Wine Closet Project Site

Vintage Wine Cellars, the California wine cellar builder that the client contacted, came up with a gorgeous custom wine cellar design.  It featured a stunning wine rack design to store and display wine bottles, a wine cellar cooling system to cool the wines, a glass wine cellar door, and matching wine cellar flooring.

Wine Rack Design Features

The wine storage and display racks are a combination of several different wine rack designs, including:

  • Single bottle storage wine racks
  • Horizontal display wine racks
  • High reveal display rows
  • Arched tabletop
  • Diamond bin cases
  • Rectangular bins

 

Single Bottle Storage Racks and Rectangular Bins

Single Bottle Storage Racks and Rectangular Bins

The single bottle storage wooden wine racks store 750 ml wine bottles individually, in cubicles with 3 ¾ inche openings, which are perfect for easy bottle access.  The bottle holders on each cubicle are hand sanded, to protect wine labels from scratches.

The horizontal display storage with a high reveal display row runs on the entire length of the walls.  This feature angles the wine bottles at 15 degrees, keeping the corks moist and the bottle tightly sealed.  An LED lighting fixture was also added, to illuminate the angled wine bottles on the display row.

At the center of the wine closet is a tabletop with an archway, where wine pouring or decanting can be done.  It features a lovely art piece, which is highlighted by a puck lighting.

At the bottom of the tabletop are solid diamond bins, which store wine bottles one on top of the other.  Diamond bins are ideal for bulk wine storage.

At the side of the wine closet are rectangular bins, which maximize the small storage space.  This wine racking style gives the wine collector an option to store wines by group (by variety, origin, size, age, etc.). This wine rack design is a wise option for storing 1.5L and 3L bottles.

The wooden wine racks are made of Premium Redwood, one of the best wood types used in the wine racking industry.  A dark walnut stain was applied to the wooden wine racks.  The natural aesthetic appeal of the stained redwood adds beauty to the wine cellar.

The total storage capacity of this wine closet is 840 wine bottles.

 Efficient Cooling using a Fully-Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Installed in the Attic

Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Installed in the Attic

This Newport Beach California wine closet is highly functional, as it is equipped with a wine cellar cooling system.  This maintains the right balance of temperature and humidity inside the wine closet.

Vintage Wine Cellars installed a fully ducted wine cellar cooling unit from Wine Guardian.  It is a self-contained wine cellar cooling system, and it can be installed either indoors or outdoors.

For this Newport Beach California wine closet, the cooling unit was installed indoors, in the attic located just above the wine cellar.  The wine cellar cooling system is assembled in a platform with a drain pan.

The duct system of this wine cellar cooling unit supplies cool air into the wine cellar and exhausts hot air outside. A louvered grill that matches the wooden wine racks covers the cooling unit.

Wine Cellar Entryway and Flooring that Attractively Matches with the Wine Racks

Barolo Glass Wine Cellar Door

Barolo Glass Wine Cellar Door

The cellar door used is a Barolo style dual-paned glass wine cellar door.

This entryway has two door openings, and it has certain features that ensure a tight seal to the room, and these include weather stripping and a concealed door bottom.

The wine cellar door was coated with a Chestnut wood stain, creating a beautiful contrast against the Premium Redwood wine racks.

To enhance the look of the wine cellar, the owner chose a unique tile flooring. The color scheme of the flooring matches charmingly with the wooden wine racks.

Get Started with your Own Wine Cellar Design!

Vintage Wine Cellars did a great job completing this Newport Beach California wine closet renovation project, considering the limited space their team had to work on. Vintage Wine Cellars specializes in wine cellar design, installation, renovation, and even maintenance, for both residential and commercial locations.

If you have a custom wine cellar project in mind, whether in Southern or Northern California, just contact Vintage Wine Cellars California Wine Cellar Builder for a free design consultation. Visit their page at http://www.vintagewinecellars.com/.

New Component for Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems Improves Performance

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US Cellar Systems, a California based wine cellar manufacturer that we work closely with recently announced an important new innovation in one of their commonly used components. The LRC Expansion Valve is now externally equalized. Learn how this is to be installed and some of it’s performance advantages.

The Expansion Valve by LRC

The Expansion Valve by LRC

New Expansion Valve

The LRC Expansion Valve looks almost like a pressure regulator, mounted inside one of the US Cellar Systems refrigeration system for wine cellars. It is a common component in all of the series offered by US Cellar Systems, except for the CC series.

Wine Cellar Refrigeration Technical Update – New LRC Expansion Valve Saves Time and Effort
This valve is now externally equalized. This gives the system better performance on all of the systems and makes it more convenient to adjust.

Installation of the New System by LRC

When installing, add a T with an access shrader. This has a key advantage. You will be able to measure your evaporator coil pressure at the evaporator, instead of having to go all the way out to the condensing unit to look at your gauges. This makes adjustments to your system much more convenient.

Wine Cellar Refrigeration System Adjustment

Adjusting Your Expansion Valve by LRC

Adjusting Your Expansion Valve by LRC

Use a 3/8” nut driver or a ratchet and a 3/8” socket.

You can adjust the valve by turning the head on the top of the regulator. To increase pressure you turn clockwise. To decrease pressure you will turn counter-clockwise.

Caution! Remember to make small adjustments. Never go all the way in with the adjustment. If you go too far in you can damage the diaphragm and then the expansion valve will no longer adjust. This damage will not be covered under warranty, so be very cautious when making adjustments to prevent such harm to the system.

Contact US Cellar Systems for Support and Advice

US Cellar Systems (Logo)If you’re in need of technical support for your wine cellar refrigeration system, contact US Cellar System here: +1(562) 728-5774.

If you’re interested in purchasing one of their systems, feel free to contact sales and customer support: +1(562) 513-3017.

This new expansion valve has important advantages; they can give you more information about it if you’re interested in learning more.

Residential Installation of Orange County Wine Cellar Refrigeration Unit

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Wines are one of those rare commodities that require a consistent and stable environment, in order to preserve and improve their quality over time.  Wine cellars are specially designed to provide the best climate conditions for storing and aging wines.  To maintain the ideal wine storage temperature of 55°F to 58°F, a wine room must be outfitted with insulation and vapor barriers, as well as equipped with the proper wine cellar cooling system.

A wine cellar refrigeration unit is engineered to help stabilize temperature and humidity levels in a wine storage environment.  There are three main categories of climate control systems:  through-the-wall self-contained cooling units, ducted self-contained refrigeration systems, and split systems.  Each make and model has its own unique features, but all are designed to efficiently cool a wine cellar.

To ensure optimum wine cellar climate conditions, it is crucial to have your wine room fitted with the right type of Orange County wine cellar refrigeration system.  There are several factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding on a climate control system, such as size and location of the wine cellar, amount of insulation, ambient conditions, and the number of wine bottles intended for storage.

This recently completed Orange County wine cellar refrigeration replacement project shows the importance of providing your wine cellar with the proper wine cellar cooling system.  This project was serviced by Arctic Metalworks, Southern California’s leading manufacturer and supplier of commercial grade wine cellar refrigeration systems.

Initial inspection of the wine storage space shows that the existing cooling unit, a through-the-wall breeze air style refrigeration unit, is not capable of cooling a large wine cellar (10’ x 6’).  The homeowners also complained that the unit was blowing hot air and noise into their living space.

The Arctic team recommended removing the existing refrigeration equipment and replacing it with one of their wine cellar refrigeration systems, Arctic 0050 ½ HP split system.  A split system wine cooling unit is considered as one of the most efficient cooling option.  This type of climate control system is designed to be unobtrusive and quiet.

A split wine cellar refrigeration unit houses the evaporator coil and the condensing unit separately.  Separating both components allows for flexibility in installation and helps eliminate noise.  The evaporator coil is mounted in the wine cellar, while the condensing unit can be located outdoors or in a well-ventilated adjoining room.

For this refrigeration replacement project, the Arctic team installed the condensing unit outdoors.  The unit sits on a 24 x 24 air conditioning pad.  Arctic Metalworks created a custom-designed sheet metal cover to protect the condensing component of the refrigeration system against the rain and other harmful outside elements.

The Arctic team used refrigerant lines to connect the outdoor unit to the indoor evaporator coil.  Refrigerant lines are a set of tubes or pipes that transport refrigerant through a wine cellar cooling system.  The suction line is responsible for transporting gaseous refrigerant, while a liquid line carries refrigerant in its liquid form.  A drain line is also needed to remove water that is produced during the dehumidification process.

Arctic Metalworks installed a digital room thermostat with backlit display.  Thermostats are control systems that help maintain the correct temperature in a wine room, and at the same time allow wine collectors to regularly monitor the climate conditions inside their wine cellar space.

The entire climate control system runs on 115 volt/ 20 amp electrical receptacles.  After inspecting the refrigeration equipment for leaks, the Arctic team started the system and charged it with R134a, a type of refrigerant that is non-ozone depleting and is completely safe for the environment.

When deciding on a wine cellar refrigeration unit, always consult with a wine cellar refrigeration expert.  They will perform a heat load calculation to determine the best cooling option for your wine enclave.  Professional refrigeration experts will also take into account any constraints in your storage space, as well as your specific preferences to ensure that the cooling unit will suit the conditions of your wine room.

Arctic Metalworks is a family owned and operated multi-division company that designs and builds Orange County wine cellar refrigeration systems for both residential and commercial applications.  The company also specializes in wine cellar construction and renovation, as well as handmade wine racking systems.

The Arctic team has carved out a name for themselves as a leading manufacturer of commercial grade quality climate control systems and providing professional prompt service.  They have a full service team of refrigeration specialists and technicians on standby should your cooling system require maintenance or repair.

Residential Wine Cellar Cooling Installation Aliso Viejo CA – Learn the Importance of Refrigeration Systems

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Types of Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems by ArcticA wine cellar refrigeration system is designed exclusively to help create and maintain a stable and consistent wine cellar environment.  Temperature plays an important role in the maturation process of wines, while the correct humidity level keeps the cork moist and expanded, and thus maintaining its sealing quality.  For optimum wine storage conditions, the temperature must be kept within 50°F and 55°F, with the relative humidity between 60% and 75%.

On the market are three primary categories of wine cellar refrigeration systems: self-contained cooling systems, ductless-split refrigeration units, and ducted-split climate control systems.  These units are available in a range of sizes, configurations, and cooling capacities, that can address the unique specifications and needs of commercial and residential wine cellars.

For optimum cooling performance and efficient operation, a ductless-split refrigeration unit is the best cooling option.  This climate control system uses a line set to connect two separate units; the evaporator unit is installed inside the room and the condensing unit outside.  Separating both components allows the noise-producing condenser to be located remotely, thus reducing the production of noise and vibration inside a wine storage space.

elocating the Condenser - Residential Wine Cellar Cooling Aliso Viejo CAAlthough the condensing unit can be located indoors (such as the attic or garage space), wine cellar cooling installation specialists recommend locating the unit outdoors, where it can receive proper ventilation.  Since these indoor spaces have a tendency to gather heat throughout the summer months, placing the condensing unit in one of these areas can lead to a compressor failure and bring serious consequences to expensive wine collections.

This recently finished wine cellar cooling installation Aliso Viejo CA project demonstrates the importance of providing a well-ventilated space for condensers.  The project involved replacing an existing condensing unit that was damaged due to exposure to extremely high temperature levels.

The condensing part of the residential wine cellar cooling system was originally located in the garage, which had a temperature reaching up to 100 degrees in the summer.

The heat emanating from the garage space reduced the chilling capacity of the condensing unit, causing a warm wine storage environment in the process.

Condensing Unit Wine Cellar Cooling Installation Aliso Viejo CA

Upon initial inspection by Arctic Metalworks, the refrigeration component was discovered to be overheating.

To keep the condenser perpetually cool, the Arctic team suggested moving the unit to the side yard.

The Arctic wine cellar cooling installation Aliso Viejo CA team fabricated angle brackets to hold the residential wine cellar cooling system in place.

After anchoring the angle mounts to the walk, the condensing unit was removed from the carport and secured to the brackets in the yard.  Two additional copper tubes were attached to the existing line set, which is located in the garage space.

After completing all copper and electrical wiring connections, the Arctic wine cellar cooling installation team attached a rain shield to the residential wine cellar cooling unit to protect the compressor against elements, and recharged the system with R134a refrigerant.  Starting and testing the system allowed the Arctic team to detect a compressor malfunction.

The existing condenser had to be replaced with a new one; it failed due to the high heat in the garage space.  The Arctic wine cellar cooling installation team came back a few days later to replace the outside half of the split refrigeration unit with a brand new 1/3 hp Arctic 0033 split system.  The wine room climate control system is now in perfect working condition, and the client is very happy with the result of the wine cellar cooling installation Aliso Viejo CA project.

Wine Cellar Cooling Remedial Project - Aliso Viejo California

When building commercial and residential wine cellars, it is important to integrate the proper support infrastructure (such as insulation, vapor barriers, and an exterior grade entryway door) into the wine cellar design, to ensure that the wine cellar environment remains stable and tightly sealed.  A carefully constructed wine enclave will not only create the best climate conditions for storing and aging wines, but also allow wine cellar refrigeration systems to provide optimum cooling performance.

Arctic Metalworks specializes in wine cellar refrigeration systems, for both commercial and residential wine cellars.  This family owned and operated business is committed to manufacturing and supplying top quality wine cellar climate control systems, backed by a team of refrigeration specialists dedicated to providing exceptional service and professionalism.

Arctic_Metalworks_Wine_Cellar_Cooling_Installation_Expert

Their wine cellar cooling products are manufactured from commercial grade materials, and are designed to fit the unique needs and specifications of a custom wine cellar.  This Southern California-based company expanded their business to include wine cellar construction and renovation, as well as custom wine rack making.

Wine Cellars by Coastal & Arctic Metalworks Yorba Linda California Project

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Wine Cellars by Coastal & Arctic Metalworks Yorba Linda California Project – A Processed Video Transcription

 

 Custom Wine Cellar Yorba Lina CA by Coastal with Wine Cellar Refrigeration by Arctic 
.

Hello!

I’d like to take you on a short video tour of a custom wine cellar Yorba Linda CA project recently completed by Coastal Custom Wine Cellars.

The project is located in Orange County, Yorba Linda, California, actually.

We partnered with Arctic Metalworks who provided the wine cellar refrigeration components for the enclosure; and, we also partnered with David Lincoln Construction who provided all the general contractor services.

The Original Wine Storage Area - Yorba Linda

The Original Wine Storage Area – Yorba Linda

So, as you can see we had a small niche to work within this home.  This is about roughly eight-foot wide, I believe eight-foot tall and 30 inches deep.

I’ll take you to a series of photographs that will show you the progress as we move forward towards completion and I’ll also take you on a tour of our three-dimensional design package that’s offered to everyone who visits Coastal.

As you can see, we had a niche here; we took this particular niche, we demoed it, we sealed the area to protect the home from dust.

Before this beautiful brick veneer was placed on the walls, behind the walls we have our vapor barrier, our insulation, all the electrical was roughed in as well as the mechanical line set, the refrigeration lines and the condensate drain line.

Wine Cellar Refrigeration Yorba Linda CA Installation

Now, this particular enclosure called for a split wine cellar refrigeration system.

So, outside the wine enclosure is a remote condenser; inside the wine enclosure is your fan coil, cold air supply and the cold air return.

This also has a remote LED controller or thermostat, that one can monitor the temperature inside the wine cellar.

Outdoor Line Wine Cellar Refrigeration Yorba Linda CA

Outdoor Line Wine Cellar Refrigeration Yorba Linda CA

The Wine Cellar Design 

Let’s take a look at the actual wine cellar design.

Once we have a consultation with the customer to determine how many bottles they want to display, some of the features that they want to include in the display, we created a three-dimensional wine cellar design package.

This is an overhead view of the small area.  Actually, it’s just under 6 feet wide, 28 inches deep and the height is just under 8-foot and 94 inches.

The Wine Cellar Design Yorba Linda Project

The Wine Cellar Design Yorba Linda Project

The total bottle capacity for the enclosure: 392 bottles.

So, let’s take a look at the elevation itself.

As you can see, from the side view here on the right of the bottom half is double-deep, which means you can place the bottle into an opening, push it to the back of the component and place another bottle in front of that; and, we used, on the top portion above the countertop level, a single-deep storage and display area.

So, at the left is the tabletop area while they set things down while managing the wines or opening the bottles of wine.

The Wine Racks 

Custom Wine Racks

Custom Wine Racks

So, we’ll start from the bottom.  All of the wine racks rest on an inch and a half toe-kick which elevates the components off the floor, of course.

Now, we’ll use a beautiful base trim as well as a crown molding at the top.

To the far left and to the far right we’ve got bin storage or bulk storage for case locks, ordered or flanked to either side of this beautiful diamond bin, we’ve got a single column, single vertical column, or single bottle storage.

Above that, more single bottle storage with a high reveal display row and to the far left and to the far right the folks wanted a cabinet for some liquors, glasses, even small drawers for accoutrements such as cork screws and napkins.

This area just above the arch area is a lattice grill box with an operable grill cover.  This is what’s concealing the mechanical appearance of the fan coil that we looked at a few moments ago.

Wine Racks Yorba Linda

Wine Racks Yorba Linda

With that said, we’ll look into some of these different features here that we spoke of.

These are the small cabinets to the left and to the right and the drawer here, and the high reveal display row.

This is the square bins on the left and the single bottle, or single vertical column, I spoke of as well as the diamond bins and the beautiful front view of the area.

This wine cellar’s entire front was a seamless glass entry door, which turned out quite beautiful.

Thank you for visiting Coastal Custom Wine Cellars.

If I could be of any assistance, please reach out to us at www.winecellarsbycoastal.com.

Prevent Waste of Investment – Have an Expert Plan Your Wine Cellar Project

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If your chosen residential wine cellar builder does not go through the planning stage carefully, you could end up with wasted quality wines, time and money. The planning stage in wine cellar construction is very crucial. This is the time when all your concepts, objectives and budget are evaluated to create the most suitable and effective wine cellar. The location, size of the room, materials and the number of bottles you want in your wine room must be assessed.

With these considerations, all the necessary components for your wine cellar will be designed and installed properly. Without proper insulation, the right kind of door, a wine cellar cooling system, wine racks and lighting system, you will not enjoy the complex flavor and aromas wine has to offer.

All the requirements in wine cellar construction must be discussed and determined at this planning stage so you won’t end up spending more later on correcting or replacing elements of your wine cellar.

At Coastal Custom Wine Cellars, they take the planning stage very seriously. With their knowledgeable and skillful team, all details are noted and integrated to the wine cellar design.

They ensure that the finished product is something that their team and their clients can be proud of. Combining their passion and experience in wine cellar design and installation enables them to create an efficient and impressive wine storage space.

How Wine Cellar Insulation and Vapor Barrier Affects Wine Storage

One of the common mistakes in wine cellar construction that results in ruined wines and wasted money, is improper insulation and vapor barrier installation for walls and ceilings. Poor wine cellar insulation will not create balance in temperature and humidity needed for wine aging. It will also cause mold growth in your wine cellar and will force the wine cellar refrigeration system to work harder than it needs to, increasing the amount of energy used.

Insulating the walls and ceilings of the room is required if a refrigeration unit is to be used. To determine the proper insulation and vapor barrier installation, your wine cellar builder must assess the location, size of your wine room and bottle capacity at the planning stage.

The grade of insulation to be used depends on the thickness of the walls and ceilings. A higher R-value (R means resistance to heat flow) is required for thicker walls and ceilings. Thicker insulation results in better cooling.

Cool air from the wine room will leak into the walls without a vapor barrier installed.  The vapor barrier helps keep the ideal humidity in the wine cellar and prevent growth of mold and mildew on walls and ceilings due to condensation.

To prevent these from happening, walls and ceilings of the room intended for wine cellar conversion must be insulated and installed with a vapor barrier by a knowledgeable wine cellar specialist, such as Coastal.

How Your Wine Cellar Door Must be Constructed

Wine Cellar Doors

One of the most common reasons for wine cellars to fail to achieve a climate-controlled environment in a wine cellar is the use of a poorly constructed or low quality wine cellar door. A wine cellar builder who lacks knowledge of proper wine storage would have no idea about the role of a wine cellar door in keeping stable conditions in a wine cellar.

If the wine cellar installed in your home has a door that has no insulating properties and is of poor quality, your wines could be in danger. The wine cellar door should provide an airtight seal to prevent cool air from escaping out of the refrigerated wine cellar. To achieve this, the right material for the door must be used and sealing aids must be added.

As an experienced wine cellar specialist, Coastal’s knowledgeable team never neglects the function of wine cellar doors in wine storage.

At the planning phase, they will discuss with you the different wine cellar door options. They will help you determine the right choice of door and make sure that it seals the room to safeguard your collection.

Coastal uses only wine cellar doors constructed of superior quality. They use a weather-stripped, 1.75” exterior grade door.  Weather stripping ensures that no external elements can get into the wine cellar. In this process, a synthetic rubber material is applied to all four sides of the door jamb.

Coastal’s custom wine cellar doors are also equipped with an automatic door bottom to seal the cool air in the wine cellar. Additionally, this device prevents door dragging that can damage your floor.

Modern technology (Laminated Veneer Lumber) and traditional technique (Mortise and Tenon joints) are used by Coastal to ensure strength and appropriate insulating properties for their doors.

Why it is Important to Determine the Right Wine Cellar Cooling System Prior to Construction

Installing wine cellar refrigeration equipment without considering your wine storage requirements during the planning stage will harm your wines. Factors such as size of the room, number of bottles to be stored and location must be taken into account before purchasing and installing a wine cooling unit.

Wine Cellar Refrigeration System

You don’t want your home wine cellar to have the wrong type of refrigeration system, not capable of providing optimal cooling to the whole room. Some builders use regular air conditioners in wine rooms.

A knowledgeable wine cellar builder would not use this type of cooling unit in wine cellars. Conventional air conditioners used for homes and offices are not designed to keep consistent temperature and humidity levels in wine storage.

By seeking help of a wine cellar refrigeration expert such as Coastal, your cooling requirements will be taken into account very carefully. This will ensure that the most suitable wine cooling system will be installed in your wine cellar. Coastal offers a wide range of commercial grade wine cellar cooling systems that will cool your wine cellar efficiently.

How to Achieve Effective Wine Racking Solutions for Your Wine Room

Custom Wine Racking

There are a lot of wine collectors who spend a lot on great-looking custom wine racks, but later find out that these racks are not durable and don’t suit their wine storage needs. The wine rack designs and materials must be thought of carefully prior to the construction of your wine room.

It is a good idea to ask for suggestions from an experienced wine cellar company in determining the right wine racks for your collection. Coastal always makes sure that they provide the best wine racking solutions for their clients. In doing this, they see to it that there is balance in aesthetics, space optimization, convenience and budget.

How Important is Wine Cellar Lighting in Wine Storage?

Wine Cellar Lighting

Wine cellar lighting is one of the components in wine cellar construction that is often neglected at the planning stage of the project. The wrong choice of lighting can have negative impact on the quality of wine and the ambiance of your wine cellar.

Fluorescent lighting which gives off excessive amounts of ultraviolet or UV light should not be used. UV light can ruin wine by degrading its stable organic compounds.

The flavor, aroma and structure of wine greatly depend on these organic compounds. Exposure to UV or too much sunlight will result in flat wine.

Your lighting should provide ample amount of vision. Make sure that it makes reading of wine labels and moving around the wine room convenient.

The different lighting options that you can choose from include track lighting, recessed can lights, wall sconces and chandeliers.

The knowledgeable team of designers at Coastal will see to it that the lighting system that best suits your wine cellar and style is considered at the planning stage. Not only that – they would also recommend lighting that will illuminate their clients’ wine cellar dramatically.

They recommend LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting which provides a comforting glow and will keep your wines safe because of its low heat emission. It is also efficient, ideal for long-term use and versatile, making it a favorite option in wine cellar installation.

Contact Coastal Custom Wine Cellars – a Competent Wine Cellar Builder

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars California

The planning stage gives you the first insights into the knowledge and competence of your wine cellar builder. It’s here that you see how problems are solved and prevented. Safeguard your wines by contacting Coastal, a wine cellar company that provides only quality products and excellent service from the planning stage until the completion of your project.

Coastal will give you a free design where you can see first hand how the planning of a proper wine cellar project is to proceed, and it is though this process that you will gain the trust of your future wine cellar builder. Call them today at +1 (888) 735-8889 and speak with a design specialist about your wine room project and get all your questions answered.

Exceptional Modern Custom Wine Cellar in Miami Florida

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Many wine lovers from all over the world, including Florida, dream of having their own wine cellar at home for easy access of wine, proper wine storage, entertainment, and additional home value. In order to achieve the desired look and ambiance in your wine cellar, all your wine storage needs, requirements and personal preferences must be discussed carefully with your chosen wine cellar designer and builder.

wine storage

The end result will be a wine cellar with exquisite design that you can show off to your guests and a place where your prized wines can have the environment they need for proper maturation.

There are many wine lovers who want to have a wine cellar with a contemporary design to complement their modern home. Others who have a traditional home want to add some modern features in it.

Let’s take a look at one of the custom wine cellars designed and built in Florida by Wine Cellar International, a respected company in the wine cellar industry.

Modern Features of a Home Wine Cellar in Miami Beach, Florida

The client of Wine Cellar International is a resident of Northbay Road in Miami Beach, Florida. The newly-renovated home is in a picturesque setting and is beautiful and spacious. The living room and entertainment area is simple, yet elegant. Close to it is a room that was already designated for a wine cellar prior to the build out.

Residential Wine Cellar Project Miami Beach, Florida

What the client wanted was to have a modern feature in his residential space. The wine racks, wine cellar door, and flooring were designed to suit their client’s custom preferences.

Wine Cellar International chose a lighting system that would accentuate the client’s wine storage space attractively. Let’s discuss the features incorporated to make this wine cellar a state-of-the-art creation and a stellar home for the client’s prized wines.

Custom Wine Cellar Door

Stainless Steel and Glass Door Miami Beach Florida Contemporary Wine Cellar

The entryway of your wine cellar should be properly installed and must be made of the right materials to ensure that cool air doesn’t escape the wine room and warm air doesn’t get in from the outside. This means that the door of your wine room must be installed properly to perform its main function: to help the wine cooling unit stabilize the temperature and humidity levels essential for the graceful aging of wine.

There are proper techniques used to create a seal in the doorway of your wine cellar. In this project, Wine Cellar International used dual paned glass with a custom-brushed stainless steel frame, and installed inset gaskets all around the entryway to keep an airtight seal.

The advantage of a glass wine cellar door is that it provides the owner the best view of his collection from the outside. Stainless steel has been a widely-used material for making kitchenware and appliances. Nowadays, it has also become popular in wine cellar construction.

The good thing about stainless steel is its resistance to rust and corrosion. A film of chromium oxide formed over the surface of this metal alloy (during air exposure), shields it from rusting. Stainless steel is also non-reactive and cannot be scratched easily. These are the reasons why the client opted for this material not only for his wine cellar door, but also for his wine racks.

Stainless Steel Wine Cellar Racks

Your wine racking is another important component of a wine cellar that needs to be given keen attention. With several styles and types of wine racks in the market today, it is wise to seek the help of a professional when it comes to determining the most suitable racks for your space.

Make sure that you choose wine racks that can cradle the different types of wines and sizes of bottles in your collection. Also, see to it that the wine rack material and design will complement the existing décor or ambiance in your home.

Stainless Steel Custom Wine Racks

Wine Cellar International utilized custom-designed, brushed stainless steel metal wine racks for this contemporary residential wine cellar in Florida. These wine racks are ideal for long-term storage because of their ability to maintain their appearance and quality for a longer time, especially in a humid place such as the wine cellar.

The left, right, and back walls of the wine room were installed with stainless steel wine racks, built from floor to sealing to maximize storage space. The wine rack orientation on the left and right walls was horizontal, to keep the cork in the bottles moist all the time. Cork that has dried up will become brittle, losing its ability to seal a bottle. If this happens, wine will be oxidized and becomes undrinkable.

Wine Storage Display in Miami Beach Florida Wine Cellar

The lower portion of the left and right wine racking was designed with case storage bins to accommodate wines in bulk. This also added some effective design element to the wine room.

The racking design on the back wall included bin and bulk storage where the owner displayed the different wine varieties and bottle sizes (splits, 750ml, magnums, etc.) in a more utilitarian look. Adding more bottles in the future won’t be difficult for the owner because the wine rack design maximized the space of the room.

Glass Ceiling and Metal Flooring

More impressive features in this wine cellar were incorporated into the ceiling and flooring. The ceiling was made of double-smoked, highly-reflective mirror, creating an illusion of more space in the wine room.

Mirror Glass Ceiling and Metal Wine Cellar Flooring

The brown flooring looks great. It is eco-friendly and made of recycled tiled metal. Metal flooring is known for its flexibility and durability. It is also easy to clean and maintain.

Impressive and Safe Wine Cellar Illumination

Illuminating your wine cellar takes careful consideration. Wine is very sensitive to light, so your wine cellar lighting must emit minimal heat. Achieving proper lighting while creating an aesthetic appeal was achieved by using overhead LED lighting.

Overhead Wine Cellar Lighting

LED lights do not generate UV rays which are harmful to wine. These also provide soft illumination, just enough to highlight the owner’s prized wines and allow easy readability of wine labels.

Accent Wine Cellar Lighting

The overhead lighting can be directed to specific bottles housed in the stainless steel wine racks. It created an impressive wash down effect on specific areas of the wine racking.

Wine Cellar International also added some accent lighting to the floor. When all the lights in the wine cellar are turned on, you will see a dramatically stunning wine storage display. LED lighting is used by many wine cellar builders because it provides many interesting and unique ways to show off your collection.

High-Performance Wine Cellar Cooling System

To ensure that the ideal conditions are met in a wine cellar, an efficient wine cellar refrigeration system must be installed. The high-performance RM Series split cooling system from US Cellar Systems was used in this project. This option eliminates noise in the wine cellar since the condenser, which produces noise, was placed outdoors.

Miami Beach Wine Cellar Refrigeration System form US Cellars

The space allotted for the air handler, or evaporator, was above the wine cellar door. Beside it is a thermostat that indicates the temperature and humidity in the wine room. Wine cellar refrigeration is a crucial factor when building a wine cellar, thus an expert must be consulted to protect your investment.

This residential custom wine cellar is one of the remarkable projects of Wine cellar International, showing their true passion in wine cellar design and construction.

For more details about this wine cellar project, watch the video below.

Contemporary Residential Wine Cellar Designs in Stainless Steel

If you’re considering building your own unique and fully-customized wine room according to your budget and requirements, contact Wine Cellar International at +1 (954) 630-5866 or click here to request a FREE wine cellar design today!

Maryland Homeowners Turn to Wine Cellars to Grow Home Value

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Since the housing bubble burst, homeowners have adjusted their expectations concerning how to grow the value of their home.  It’s no longer adequate to throw a fresh coat of paint on the walls and flip it. Now, more than ever, Maryland homeowners are turning to wine cellar builders to help them increase the value of their home.

Wine—A Growing Market in Maryland

Wine is growing in popularity in the state of Maryland. There are now over 400 wines made in the state. Wineries in the area are also are growing in reputation with over 60 wineries to visit in the area.

Wine Cellar Baltimore

A beautiful wine cellar in a luxury home.

But anyone who understands wine will tell you that you can’t just put that fine bottle in the back of a closet and leave it there for years and expect it to grow in quality. Proper storage means maintaining a constant cool temperature in your wine room. It’s no surprise that the new trend in luxury home modification is the addition of custom wine rooms.

Build Your Own Wine Cellar

In the good old days the common method of thinking when it came to growing your home value was to remodel the kitchen, adding granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. A home theater or hot tub was also a welcome addition. But now it’s not uncommon to see low rent apartments with granite counter tops. Most housing units have a hot tub. And even more modest homes can feature state-of-the-art surround sound with their flat screen displays at very low cost.

Luxury home owners are then faced with a real challenge to make their home stand apart in the competitive marketplace. It’s not surprising then that many owners in Maryland are turning to builders like Coastal Custom Wine Cellars in Baltimore, to help them find the edge. A beautifully designed, temperature controlled, wine cellar or room gives these homes the edge they need, driving up resale prices. They can be enjoyed while the homeowners live there, and truly appreciated when it comes time to sell.

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars Baltimore

New location in Baltimore

New location of Coastal Custom Wine Cellars in Baltimore

2708 Leppo Ln

Finksburg, MD 21048

+1 (443) 821-0321

Common Wine Defects and Ideal Wine Storage Solutions

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Have you opened a bottle of wine from a cabinet in your kitchen or a box under your sink and found out that its smell is not floral, fruity, or spicy? Have you noticed some discoloration? You should know that these are signs that your wine has a defect and may be undrinkable.

Let us find out the different possible wine defects and learn the ideal wine storage options that will preserve wine’s quality and desirable characteristics.

Oxidized 

When unwanted air mixes with wine, it is subjected to hot temperatures, or is aged too long, oxidation occurs. The original vibrant fruity scents in wine become lifeless or flat, losing their aroma, flavor, and color.

oxidized wine

This results in stale, stewed fruit and a burnt marshmallow, sherry, or vinegar-like smell. The moldy smell is caused by the TCA or Trichloroanisole in corked wine due to high level of oxidation.

The insipid taste in oxidized wine is caused by the bacteria that oxygen promotes when it gets into the wine. The alcohol in wine turns into acetic acid, causing unpleasant taste.

The color of an oxidized wine is usually a shade of brown, while other wines look dull. These are the clues that indicate wine defects.

Oxidation can happen prior to or after bottling of wine and even while it is stored at home or in a restaurant. So, next time, you will know when to pour wine down the drain or return it to the restaurant or wine store where you bought it from.

Corked  

The cork of wine bottles functions as a seal to protect wine from being exposed to unwanted oxygen. How can a cork cause wine to spoil? When wine comes in contact with a contaminated cork, it will smell and taste like a wet newspaper, rotten cardboard, or damp cloth, resulting in what they call “corked wine”.

cork taint

A cork is contaminated when 2, 4, or 6-Trichloroanisole (TCA) is present. This chemical compound is usually formed when the natural fungi that reside in cork come into contact with chlorides.

Chlorides are found in sanitation products used in the winery, such as bleaches. Using infected corks will cause cork taint, a wine defect that destroys the natural aromas and fruitful flavor of wine.

Maderized  

Maderized WineMaderization is a process where wine is heated and oxidized to make it taste like Madeira wine that has a nutty and caramelized character. When talking about wine defects, the term “maderized” refers to the condition of wine exposed to too much heat or very high temperatures (greatly higher than 55 degrees Fahrenheit). This usually happens in wines with low alcohol content.

There will be greater chances that your wine will become maderized when you keep it near a radiator or any heating device in your house. An under-the-stair space where hot water pipes are installed is also a bad storage place for wine.

Too much heat exposure increases the rate of wine’s aging, resulting in spoiled wine. This is why proper wine storage must be practiced to preserve wine the right way.

 

Ideal Wine Storage Solutions – Wine Cellars and Wine Cabinets

One of the major reasons wine gets spoiled is from storing it in a place where stable temperature and humidity levels are not present. Wine needs to be stored in an environment with temperature ranging from 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 50-60 percent.

The two most in-demand and efficient wine storage solutions are custom wine cellars and refrigerated wine cabinets. When choosing between a wine cellar and a wine cabinet, consider the size of your collection, your space, and your budget.

 

Residential Custom Wine Cellars 

Nowadays, home owners in many parts of the world, including Canada, who have the right budget, invest in a residential wine cellar to keep their finest wines safe from harmful external factors.

Wine cellars are carefully designed and installed to ensure that a climate-controlled environment is provided to your finest wines, especially those intended for long-term aging. Proper room insulation and installation of a vapor barrier are the primary steps to prepare the room for construction.

Blue Grouse Wine Cellars Designs and Installs Custom Wine Cellars in Canada

In Vancouver, Canada, a team of experienced designers and installers, Blue Grouse Wine Cellars, has been building custom wine rooms for many years. With their expertise, any extra room can be converted into a functional resting place for your wines.

For them to achieve the ideal temperatures and humidity levels in their client’s wine cellar, they use efficient wine cellar refrigeration systems suitable for the storage needs and requirements of the collector.

The right wine cellar door material and seal must also be installed. Other things that must be given consideration are the wine rack material and design and wine cellar lighting. All of these can affect the stability of the conditions inside a refrigerated wine cellar.

Building a home wine cellar in Canada may not be affordable to some, but in the long run, you will realize that having one will save you money since it lowers the risk of having a defective wine in you collection.

Below are some photos of high-end wine cellars built by Blue Grouse Wine Cellars:

Custom Wine Cellars Built by an Expert in Canada

Wine Cabinets  

If having a wine cellar in your home is not possible due to budget and/or space constraints, you shouldn’t worry because there is another wine storage option that is more affordable – the wine cabinet.

Wine cabinets with a built-in wine cooling system are called refrigerated wine cabinets. Even though it is a budget-savvy option, a refrigerated wine cabinet has the ability to maintain an environment similar to wine cellars.

One of the most popular brands of wine cabinets in Canada is Eurocave. Their sturdy, high capacity and stylish products are being used by Blue Grouse Wine Cellars in many of their wine cellar projects. Learn more about Eurocave wine cabinets by clicking here.

Eurocave Wine Cabinets – a Top Choice of True Connoisseurs

In addition to sturdiness, style, and capacity, other features that you should look for in a wine cabinet include internal lighting, an alarm system, and vibration exclusion. Keep in mind that wine cabinets only accommodate a certain number of bottles, unlike wine cellars that allow your collection to grow in the future.

A collector’s goal is to store his wines in such a way that its desirable characteristics are preserved properly. Storing them in a climate-controlled environment is the key to achieving this. Depending on your needs and budget, make sure that your choice of storage solution can help prevent wine defects.

If you need expert advice in choosing the right wine cabinet to suit your needs, call Blue Grouse Wine Cellars at 1.888.400.CORK (2675) or visit their website at http://bluegrousewinecellars.com/.