Strictly Cellars -dedicated to wine preservation - Custom Wine Cellar Preparation Guidelines

Custom Wine Cellar Preparation Guidelines

Following is a brief list of guidelines for wine cellar preparation:
1. If room is on a concrete foundation, make sure the floor is treated with a concrete or water sealer.
2. All walls and ceiling must have 6 mil. minimum vapour barrier on the warm side.
3. All walls must be insulated with a minimum of R-13, R-20 is recommended.
4. Ceiling must be insulated with a minimum of R-19, R-30 is recommended.
5. A moisture resistant dry wall is preferred. (Green Board)
6. The door needs to be an exterior grade door with a full weather seal around the perimeter.
7. Recessed can lighting must be thermally fused so the insulation and vapour barrier can be wrapped around them.

IF THESE GUIDELINES ARE NOT FOLLOWED TO THE ABOVE MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS, REFRIGERATION MAY NEVER WORK PROPERLY.

Wine Storage began in the underground caves of Europe. These caves provided the consistent storing conditions that allowed wine to age at an elegant pace. By convention, these conditions have become the standard for modern wine cellars: 55-58 degrees and 55-75% relative humidity. Our wine cellar refrigeration systems maintain these ideal conditions, gracefully aging your wines, then keeping them at their peak for years to come.

EXTREMES - Nothing is more detrimental to your wine than extreme heat or cold.
DAILY CHANGES - As the temperature rises, your bottle of wine expands; but the wine expands seven times more than the glass bottle. This process creates pressure, which forces wine out of the bottle. When the bottle cools a vacuum forms, which draws oxygen rich air into the bottle. Ullage is the oxygen free air within the bottle. Unregulated, temperature fluctuations prematurely age and deteriorate your wine.
HUMIDITY - 55-75% is the ideal humidity range for stable wine aging. Humidity levels of 80% or higher will cause mould to form and rot the labels. Lower levels will increase the amount of ullage forming in the bottle and will dry-out the glue beneath the label.
WINE BREATHES -Wine breathes through the cork and ages in the process. Environmental changes (fluctuations in temperature and humidity) accelerate the aging process. Excessive oxidation causes the wine to become bitter, as it would in a glass overnight. Wine requires oxidation to mature; but it must be regulated to assure adverse conditions do not affect the aging of your wine. The pace of breathing is faster at high temperatures and slower at low temperatures.

The cool temperature and consistent humidity, that our systems maintain, keep your wines at their peak. These proper conditions will allow you to enjoy them for years to come. Please "click" on the following links to find out more about our refrigeration and racking systems.

Before construction begins check your local guidelines and building codes.

These topics are just the basics. We would be more than happy to help in your wine storage needs.
Call 250-448-7225 or 1-866-396-7225 for further assistance. Inquire