The traditional wine cellar is no longer necessarily tucked away in the basement. Those with extensive collections of wine are increasingly looking for storage solutions that are both practical and pleasing to the eye. Whatever your style preference, creating a designated space to appreciate and enjoy beautiful bottles will enhance any residence.
The glass ceiling
Simon Coombs, Head of Client Services at Cellar Maison, says, “Nowadays designs tend to be far more intricate with different finishes and materials, such as onyx and antique bronze. Clients will say they want a prominent display in one of their properties and the whole process of planning, designing and implementing will take time because of the level of detail required. One memorable project is above a gym and snooker room with glazed panels that overlook the snooker room. You go up a steel staircase to a beautiful classic wine room with a ladder that enables you to reach up and collect your bottles. It is incredible and took a long time to come to fruition.”
Show not tell
Managing Director of Spiral Cellars, Lucy Hargreaves says, “Historically, people hid their cellars but now they want to show them off. We find nearly everybody goes for a glass trap door in their spiral cellar.”
Invented by a Frenchman nearly five decades ago, the spiral cellar involves digging out around six skips of soil and the installation of a rubber liner. The deepest cellar is three metres and can accommodate 1,600 bottles in 24 bins made from white limestone concrete.
Spiral Cellars also build bespoke timber wine rooms and Lucy has just broadened the product range to encompass a modular system made from limestone concrete that can fit any space. She explains “We identified that people want to collect wine but they don’t necessarily want storage for 1,000 or 2,000 bottles. This applies particularly to the younger market who are just getting into wine but may not be in their forever home, so investing in significant may be a step too far. “The new range is adaptable and can go in alcoves on either side of a fireplace, for example.”
Image above: Cellar Maison |
Image above: Spiral Cellars |
Climate control
Aesthetics matter but ensuring perfect cellar conditions is of paramount importance. Tim Lewis, who owns Sorrells Custom Wine Rooms, says, “Storage should be at 13 to 15 degrees and between 60 and 75 per cent humidity. We look at the area and then we build the unit to suit. We are very conscious of ensuring that the doors have the best seals and we will encase ultraviolet light into the system to counter any mould which could affect the wine.”
Sorrells have their own metal workshop and Tim is seeing the use of both wood and metal in wine room commissions. “It’s about finessing your cellar,” he says, “We’ll put leather handles on some of the drawers and, if a metal door is a bronze colour we may inlay bronze into the drawers to carry the theme through the design.”
Bigger is better
Tim is also seeing demand for storage for bigger bottles. “Champagne walls are becoming increasingly popular to display Salmanazars and Imperials for example. If you are having a dinner party there’s no point opening a single bottle, you might as well open a double magnum!”
So whether you purchase wine for pleasure or as an investment, the perfect bespoke space will not only keep your collection pristine but add to your enjoyment and, ultimately, to the value of your home.
Design directory
Cellar Maison
Creators of bespoke wine cellars, rooms and wine walls. Delivering exceptional installations that are impactful, emotive and meaningful. Cellar Maison has the expertise to ensure every project is executed correctly and delivered on time.
cellarmaison.com
@cellarmaison
Sorrells Custom Wine Cellars
Since 1947 Sorrells has been a prominent name in the bespoke wine storage industry with a distinguished reputation synonymous with high quality and a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship.
sorrellscellars.com
@sorrells.custom.cellars
Spiral Cellars
A passion for fine wine, exceptional service and extraordinary designs have been at the heart of Spiral Cellars for over 45 years. They are the UK's leading supplier of luxury wine storage with a global network.
