If you have a significant or growing variety of wine collections and vintages that need aging and appropriate storage conditions in order to satisfy their full potential, a custom wine cellar is a wise venture. By providing a fitting space for your invaluable wine collection, you will increase your wine-drinking satisfaction.

A wine cellar will add value as a practical room and desirable amenity for your house. While the primary intent of building a custom wine cellar is probably for your private enjoyment while you reside in the home, it also increases the house's resale value. Custom wine cellars, wine refrigerators and wine cabinets are amongst the most trendy additions and 'must haves' for luxury homes, and they are particularly appreciated in large homes situated in upscale neighborhoods.

When you are planning to build a custom wine cellar to house your collection of wines, it is essential that you consider how much space you can allot for the project, your budget, and the overall desirability of having unrestricted access to your fine wines. A custom wine cellar can be placed almost anywhere in your home. Make use of an empty cabinet, a forgotten corner, a pantry, the unused space under the stairs, or even an attic. However, the most appropriate site for your project is a basement area.

Every custom wine cellar requires adequate room for racking and other mechanical structures. Additionally, they might include a mini counter and a small amount of crate, bulk, or tub wine storage room. The custom wine cellar should possess a vapor barrier to prevent condensation from within its walls. This barrier will maintain humidity within the cellar. The walls of the custom wine cellar may also need adequate insulation to maintain constant temperature.

The cellar's entrance should be sealed with border climate stripping and insulated so as to keep cold, moist air inside the cellar. And, certainly, it needs appropriate refrigeration as well as humidity systems for climate control management, along with electrical wiring to provide room lighting.

The next step is finishing the wine cellar, specifically, erecting the custom racking. The racks should have capacity for your wine collection and fit the dimensions of your cellar. Wine bottles vary in size and shape. Not every wine bottle is capable of fitting into an average off-the-shelf wine rack. Once the wine cellar is properly erected, you are ready to add the finishing touches to it. Such touches may include crown moldings, lighting, flooring, baseboards, cabinets and countertops, a door, and various amenities. The hard work associated with designing your home wine cellar will surely pay off in the long run, as you will be able to enjoy your creation forever.