About the service
Turning an unused basement corner, closet, or spare room into a properly functioning wine cellar takes more than shelving and a mini-fridge. I build climate-controlled cellars and cooling rooms from the ground up, matching the insulation envelope, vapor barrier, and refrigeration capacity to the actual room dimensions, local climate, and the size of the collection being stored.
Every project starts with a site visit and a load calculation: room volume, exterior wall exposure, proximity of existing HVAC, door type, and expected foot traffic all factor into sizing the cooling unit correctly. Undersized units run constantly and never hold humidity; oversized units short-cycle and leave the room clammy. I spec split or self-contained cooling systems rated for continuous low-temperature duty, not standard air conditioners repurposed for the job.
Build-out includes rigid foam or spray-foam insulation to the required R-value, a continuous vapor barrier sealed at every seam and penetration to stop moisture migration into wall cavities, and vapor-rated doors with sweep seals. Interior finishes range from moisture-resistant drywall and tile to reclaimed wood paneling, depending on budget and the look the space is meant for. Racking is built to the room, not bought off a shelf: diamond bins, individual slots, display rows, and case storage combined to fit the collection and the traffic pattern of the room.
Humidity is held in the 55-70% range and temperature in the 55-58°F band using a dedicated controller tied to the cooling unit, with a data logger left on site so the owner can see stable readings rather than take my word for it. Typical turnaround for a room-sized cellar is one to two weeks from framing to finished racking, depending on finish selections and equipment lead time. References and photos are available from completed cellars ranging from single-closet conversions to full basement rooms holding several hundred bottles.
Every project starts with a site visit and a load calculation: room volume, exterior wall exposure, proximity of existing HVAC, door type, and expected foot traffic all factor into sizing the cooling unit correctly. Undersized units run constantly and never hold humidity; oversized units short-cycle and leave the room clammy. I spec split or self-contained cooling systems rated for continuous low-temperature duty, not standard air conditioners repurposed for the job.
Build-out includes rigid foam or spray-foam insulation to the required R-value, a continuous vapor barrier sealed at every seam and penetration to stop moisture migration into wall cavities, and vapor-rated doors with sweep seals. Interior finishes range from moisture-resistant drywall and tile to reclaimed wood paneling, depending on budget and the look the space is meant for. Racking is built to the room, not bought off a shelf: diamond bins, individual slots, display rows, and case storage combined to fit the collection and the traffic pattern of the room.
Humidity is held in the 55-70% range and temperature in the 55-58°F band using a dedicated controller tied to the cooling unit, with a data logger left on site so the owner can see stable readings rather than take my word for it. Typical turnaround for a room-sized cellar is one to two weeks from framing to finished racking, depending on finish selections and equipment lead time. References and photos are available from completed cellars ranging from single-closet conversions to full basement rooms holding several hundred bottles.
