Home wine cellars offer stylish solutions

By Bob and RodMan

Wine cellar by Atlanta Design & Build

Amenities come in all sizes and locations. A nearby park is an amenity; a luxurious bath/spa in the master suite is one as well. But our go-to general contractor, Michelle Bishop, has some hints on the installation of what is becoming an increasingly popular component of fine dining and home entertaining: the home wine cellar. Not only is the home cellar a focal point for entertaining, but it is also a means of protecting the substantial investment that can be made during the acquisition of rare and celebrated vintages. While there are many elements dictated by technical or construction practicalities, this space also provides a perfect opportunity to add your own signature to the design and personality of your home. The following are Michelle’s thoughts on protecting and enjoying your wine investment: “Those who have money invested in fine wine need to make sure they have a proper place to store it. Maybe you have recently moved to the area and are paying to store your investment off site. Perhaps it’s been a project on your ‘to do’ list for some time and you just haven’t pulled the trigger on it. Whatever the reason, now is a great time to move forward. “First, you need to determine how you are going to use the space. Will it be strictly for storage or will you share the experience with your guests when you entertain? The potential cellar space doesn’t have to be huge. You can easily fit a 750-bottle capacity cellar into a 10-by-12-foot space. This size room is good for storage but doesn’t leave much elbow room for you and your guests. If you do plan on using it as a place to do tastings, you’ll want to consider size and placement of furniture. The more raw the space, the better it is. You can design whatever your heart desires. It also allows you to get all the specifications just right. The areas of greatest importance are the vapor barrier, the type of insulation needed as well as the type and size of the cooling and humidity control system. All of these components are interrelated. “The corking station is usually the focal point of the cellar, and the options are endless. I love to use stone and slate for that Old World look. Rough hewn timbers are also fun to use. If a sleek look is more your style, glass is a great option for opening up the room and making your lines nice and clean. Lighting and sound are also keys to an enjoyable space. You definitely want to have speakers to bring in your favorite tunes!” What a sanctuary of hospitality and repose. Sounds like it will preserve calm and wellbeing as well as your priceless Bordeaux. As always, if you have more detailed questions, e-mail radio@bobandrodman.com.