Replies

1. 
   GraniteStater | Feb 16, 2009 06:35am | #1

   If you are serious enough you should install climate controls for the cellar...

1. 
   Thorahone | Feb 16, 2009 06:40am | #2

   Good point. This sounds like refirgeration. Is that where you were going?

1. 
   Piffin | Feb 16, 2009 02:26pm | #3

   Humidity also I believe important for wine cellar. Google iot up. There are lots of places selling modular kits for this app with all the needed parts - kit or individual components. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   Clewless1 | Feb 19, 2009 10:23pm | #9

   But don't ignore the insulation in favor of mech cooling. You could separate the wine storage from the duct w/ e.g. 4" thermax.

   Remember, insulation alone will not provide the delta T you seek. It only controls the rate of heat transfer. Theoretically insulation between two adiabatic spaces at different temps will see equal temps eventually, regardless of R-value. If you want to rely on e.g. the cool basement floor for your 'cool source', you could do a heat load on the storage space, to check your needs. Built right, it should have a small cooling load. Only some wines need to be stored in cool, I think. Others, room temp (I think).

   I don't recall humidity requirements for wine storage (maybe cork longevity?). Tobacco, yes.

2. 
   FatRoman | Feb 16, 2009 02:44pm | #4

   Here's some info to get you started, including R values.

   http://www.vinotheque.com/whisper/cellar.html

   Yes, you need refrigeration AND a way to replace the humidity lost in that process. Really cold bottles with dry corks don't provide great tasting wine.

   Whisperkool makes a series of cooling devices
   http://www.vinotheque.com/whisper/

   Some others here
   http://wineracks.vigilantinc.com/wine-cooling-systems.asp

   'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

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1. 
   GraniteStater | Feb 16, 2009 03:56pm | #5

   I see we have no shortage of lovers of adult grape juice here on BTI would eventually like to have a walk in cellar in my basement... the bumpout for my breakfast nook would be perfect.I started a collection of wines for my two boys... a bottle from every year they've been alive... so for the wines I'm buying now it's bordeaux, italians, california cabs, etc,. that are "age worthy".I've been looking around for a 50 bottle or so wine fridge to keep em in... that collection is going to be worth some bucks..But now I have a third on the way... so now I need 75 bottle capacity!They get the collection when they turn 21.

   Edited 2/16/2009 7:56 am ET by GraniteStater

1. 
   Piffin | Feb 16, 2009 03:58pm | #6

   so who is invited to that birthday party?I was just reading about making your own wines. Recall Dad used to do it. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   GraniteStater | Feb 16, 2009 04:09pm | #7

   I got a gift certificate for Christmas to make wine at a local homebrew store..... haven't had time yet.It's a juice kit though.. sort of unbag it, blend your varietals and then bottle up...so I sort of say "where's the fun in that"?For those of you near New Joisey... there's this place called Grape Beginnings Wine School where you get grapes from great growing regions brought in on refrig rail cars... you press, barrel, bottle... just like the real thing.http://www.grapebeginningswineschool.com/A barrel is pretty spendy... a cousin of my wife's does one with friends every year. Everything I've had from his share has been great.That to me would be really fun to do. Alas, no place like that near New Hampster.

   Edited 2/16/2009 8:12 am ET by GraniteStater

2. 
   GraniteStater | Feb 16, 2009 04:12pm | #8

   Yeah, I know... that should be some party!At that point I'll probably be as excited as my boys for their b-day... "hey, you should open up this one just to see how it aged...":)Oldest son born in 2005... so he scored a very nice bottle of second growth bordeaux. Was thinking about going first growth (La Tour or Haut Brion) but the 05 prices are stratospheric.

2. 
   RobWes | Feb 20, 2009 12:34am | #10

   Do youeselves a favor and stay away from Vinotemp units. The price is right but the unit is a POS.

1. 
   GraniteStater | Feb 20, 2009 06:08am | #11

   Thanks. Any brands you would recommend?I was thinking of just watching the clearance stuff at the local Home Dumpster until one crossed some sort of price/value threshold (big enough and less than $200...)

1. 
   RobWes | Feb 20, 2009 03:59pm | #12

   The duel zone I have was more than 200 bucks and only holds 24 bottles.

   We have a single zone 36 bottle GE unit up North that we are very happy with. It's a 500.00+/- unit. Our basement up there is very cool and I will most likely build something able to hold a few hundred bottles.

   IMO your better off saving for a bit longer and getting a better piece. That's what I have learned in all of this.