Design Trends: Wine Vaults & Bourbon Rooms For Enthusiasts and Collectors
Part 1 of a two part series, diving into the inclusion of a cellar and tasting rooms.
Wine vaults, tasting retreats and bourbon rooms have definitely found a cherished place on the blueprints of homes entering the high-end market for 2022. While they aren’t the only new trend we’re seeing in the luxury market, they’ve definitely prompted our curiosity on researching what makes these spaces perfect, so we’re representing our home buyers with the right facts in mind.
Collecting fine wines and bourbons have become a popular investment opportunity for many enthusiasts. While the reasons may vary as to why an enthusiast pursues the perfect bottle for their collection, the fact remains that both wine and bourbon require specialized care in order to ensure preservation. Adding these unique spaces, done correctly, can add value to your luxury home. Let’s take a look at these rooms, and what makes them an asset to your home.
Wine Vaults
“Wine makes all things possible.”
― George R.R. Martin, The Mystery Knight
Whether you’re new to the scene with one or two bottles, or whether you’ve already curated a collection of 100’s of bottles – the desire for a space to protect your vintages is important. Spaces for your collection can vary in size from a fridge area or a wine grotto, all the way up to a full vault. No matter the intended size of your space, there are critical details to adhere to when planning. According to www.vinology.com, “The room has to control four variables that can affect the longevity of a bottle of wine:
- temperature
- vibration
- light
- Humidity
The first three are forms of energy that can negatively impact your wine storage. The final variable affects the wine’s cork and label. A well-built cellar will address all four issues.”
With this expert advice in mind, what should you consider when designing your ideal space?
What size storage do you need?
Your space should take organization into account, since you’ll want to have room enough to space vintages apart to indicate when and what is ready for opening. Think of a wine grid, and how many grids you might desire. Since wine bottles are best stored on their sides, to keep your corks moist, think about how many racks versus available space in your home design. Bigger isn’t always better in the design of a wine room, and open space is not your friend for wine storage. Consider a tasting table and space outside of your actual celler, so you can achieve all of your goals in an organized fashion.
Let’s get cozy and low-lights…
Wine is best stored in darker spaces, with the ability to set the proper temperatures to a constant 55-59°F (12–14°C) with 55-75% humidity. Selecting an interior room on your home plans, can assist you in avoiding ultraviolet light from hitting your bottles. We’ll leave you to determine what wines are best kept for the length of time in your new space, so your investment in your home matches your investments in wine. While the room should have low light with no windows, a grotto would best be designed with a wine fridge, offering a smaller commitment with the benefit of the optimal environment.
Cave Dwellers or Wine Walls…
Whether you’re looking to create a prohibition experience, with a speakeasy styled room, or a stylized wine wall enclosed by glass- available space on your home design will dictate how you might create the setting in your new home. Take advantage of your overall home design, and work with your architect to find the best way to incorporate your wine-space to its advantage. For a cellar with a tasting room, you can design a space that allows plenty of space for entertaining events in your home. Regardless of what design “feel” you choose to accomplish, do allow space for expansion.
Other Considerations:
- Adequate airflow – The circulation of air, specifically cooler air, is critical to preserving your bottles.
- Insulation – While your home will have top of the line insulation, remember that your wine room will need its own insulation layers. Many builders are recommending you use a medium density insulation.
- Lighting – Choose LED lighting, since the bulbs do not create large amounts of their own heat.
- Rack Flexibility – No matter the size of your space, remember that wine bottles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Be ready to accommodate whatever you choose to invest in later.
- Materials – This is where your home style can be extended, and show your personality. Wire and metal racks for a modern home, cedar for a more traditional design. Whichever you choose, don’t skimp on your materials, since this can definitely be a showstopper of a space in your luxury home.
- Door – The entrance to your wine space, could potentially be your weakest link in design. Insulation and security should be considerations, too! Work with your architect, and consider a prehung steel door. While they may not be particularly stylish, they do protect your investment like the front door of your home protects its interiors. A clever designer can also help your builder to disguise the door, so it blends into your home seamlessly.
- Floors – Flooring should not only look attractive, but it should also assist in insulating the room without affecting your temperature controls. We’re seeing concrete, marble, stone, and tile floors, all beautifully designed with epoxy finishes. It’s a forever floor, with little or no maintenance. Continue seeing to the safety of your bottles by adding attractive rubber flooring just below your racks, to catch a falling bottle as gently as possible.
Join our blog for part 2 of our series, Wine Vaults & Bourbon Rooms For Enthusiasts and Collectors, taking a closer look at the features of a bourbon tasting room. We hope you enjoy our bird’s-eye-view of these specialized spaces, and would love to work with you in finding the perfect builder and architect if you’re considering purchasing your dream home in the DFW area. Give Seay Realty Group a call today: 214-636-8485.
Check out our Houzz idea books, for inspiration in designing your own Wine Vault or Bourbon Room:
