Wine Storage Takes Root in the Cellar!
Published in New Hampshire Magazine
By Diane Kelley
For the Good of the Grape
As a child growing up in a vintage Victorian home, I remember cringing at the thought of going into the basement. Rusty paint cans laced together with spider web, and wood crickets the size of my fist chased me up the stairs, taking two at a time. No longer does going to the basement need to feel like being relegated to the dungeon.
Home gyms were among the first to venture down the stiars, then the cave like spaces became a good fit for home theatres with their own light and great acoustics. The most recent activity making itself right at him in the basement is for adults only. The growing popularity of home wine storage took root in the cellar in the 1980's and began to boom in the 90's when homes became more expansive and elaborate, yielding some of the most opulent and coveted spaces in the home.
While a wine swiller may be content with a six bottle rack on the kitchen counter, a wine sipper or connoisseur demands more. Wine storage creates a venue for a variety of pleasures. According to Ben Adams, Director of Marketing for Vigilant Woodworks, the needs of their clients for custom wine cellars varies. "We have clientele whose goals are multi-purposed; the majority want a space that's aesthetically pleasing and add value to the house while also creating a unique space for entertaining. Then we have the serious investors who need to assure their wine is secure and want to safely preserve the value of their collection which far exceeds the cost of the cellar."
Cabinet makers by trade, Vigilant Woodworks crafts wine storage, like furniture you can live in. Their ability to customize their features directly to the clients desires sets them apart from the competition. Depending on your needs, prices range from a per bottle cost of three to fifteen dollars a bottle, or a square footage cost. Every design is so personalized, these wine cellars really make you feel at home.
This custom wine cellar has many gorgeous elements built into it. With custom half-height individual bottle storage, solid panel shelving and mesh screened lockers, this wine cellar fully stocked holds an impressive number of wine bottles of all sizes. The focal point of this wine cellar is the decanting station complete with custom glass racks above and a granite countertop above cabinets and shelves.
Total Capacity: 1,400 bottles.
This was a Mahogany species (combo veneer and solid), stained, custom cellar. Wine storage components, entry door and cooling system provided by Vigilant Woodworks; Contractor, Charles River Wine Cellars.
Insuring the quality of the wine collection is paramount to the cost of the cellar itself. Using oriental rugs and upholstered furniture as decorative accents is not recommended as they will compromise the precise control needed to balance critical humidity levels. "Wine is a living, breathing organism in the bottle" emphasized Ben Adams, "as a results, its environment is critical to the quality." Ben added, "The most important component of the wine cellar, is to protect its contents and control the environment. There are three means of achieving this goal: The Cooling System; the Build-out of the room; and the Wine Cellar Door. If just one of these elements is compromised, it will negate any type of preservation environment you are trying to achieve.
Fantasizing about Wine Cellars?
Wait until you see the Finlay Wine Cellar in Peterborough, NH!
This wine cellar in Peterborough, is a modern marvel of craftsmanship and architecture. From the custom built bar area, to the gorgeous furniture of the wine tasting and entertaining room to the deep carernous tone of the wine cellar, the Finlay wine cellar has it all.
Total Capacity: 7,292 bottles
This was a Mahogany (combo veneer and solid) species, unfinished, custom cellar using Vigilant wine storage components and accent lights within the racks. "We consider ourselves the highest end wine racking you can purchase and our custom wine cellars are distinctly different from our competitors. We offer custom features like tasting rooms, conditioned wine cabinets, custom furnishing and cabinetry," Ben added. "We also offer innovative products like the wine cubes and back it all up with the best warranty in the business."
Offering a variety of distinctive wood species, the cabinetry selections are available in an array of custom colors and unique style elements, your wine sanctuary promises to be a one of a kind, work of art. Whether you are looking for a social centerpiece or a quiet refuge to enjoy your own collection, Vigilant Woodworks will make it your own. Contractor, John Stanek Custom Builders, Inc.