Uncategorized – Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC

September 5, 2018

Five Practical Tips on How to Choose Wine Racks in Washington DC

When we talk about wine storage facilities, there are a lot of options that come to mind. But usually, we think about wine racks.

Wine racks are the most accessible, convenient, and safest wine storage solution these days. They come in many forms and styles, and the choices are almost limitless with custom wine racks. But how do you choose the best type of wine rack for your wine storage needs?

Here, we give you five practical steps on how to choose wine racks in Washington DC.

Tip #1: Choose a durable material.

Glass, plastic, metal, and wood – these are the materials that wine rack builders use. Do not choose glass or plastic because of durability issues even when used for short-term wine storage. Instead, go for metal or wood wine racks.

Choose Metal Wine Racks

Metal wine racks are popular in contemporary wine cellars. They are highly durable and can house various wine bottle sizes for long periods of time. One of the best metal wine racks is from VintageView.

Learn more about VintageView metal wine racks by clicking here.

Choose Wood Wine Racks

If you choose wood wine racks, make sure also to check what type of wood the wine rack is made of. We recommend wooden wine racks made of Redwood, Mahogany, and Pine.

These wood species are known to withstand time, warping, decay, and pest infestation. Many wine cellar builders recommend them not only because of their longevity but also because of their natural beauty and environmental sustainability.

Tip #2: Check the Craftsmanship and Important Features

Have you seen wine bottles with scratched wine bottle labels? As a wine collector yourself, you do not want to see this on any bottle in your collection.

Wine rack manufacturers apply various techniques in building custom wine racks. One of the most important things to check is if the wood pieces that anchor the wine bottles are well sanded. Hand-sanding the wood is a standard procedure in building wooden wine racks. This step makes sure that the wine labels are protected from scratches.

Another significant detail to look for is the presence of a toe-kick at the base of the wooden wine rack. This feature ensures that the wine rack is stable enough to prevent movement and vibrations which can disturb the process of wine aging.

Tip #3: Watch out for Off-Gassing

Natural wood extracts, lacquers, stains, and other finishing substances applied to the wood or metal can emit chemical gasses which can potentially damage the wine. Wines are sensitive to such elements, so you must make sure that the finishes and paints applied to the wine racks you purchase are safe and do not emit harmful, odorous chemicals.

Tip #4: Consider Wine Rack Extensions

Consider your long-term wine storage plans when choosing a wine rack design. If you plan to start out with a small wine collection and grow it in the future, then the modular wine racks are the best option for you.

They are flexible which means you can easily add wine rack extensions or additional wine racking systems to your existing modular wine rack to accommodate more bottles of wine.

Tip #5: Choose a Trusted Wine Rack Manufacturer

If you have already determined whether to choose metal or wood wine racks or both, the next step will be to choose a wine rack manufacturer. Having a durable material but poor craftsmanship means a waste of money, time, and effort. So, right from the beginning, you should choose an expert wine rack or wine cellar builder who can provide quality wine storage products and services.

Here at Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC, we provide high-quality, functional, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing custom wine racks. We have been in the wine cellar industry for years, and we are a member of the Wine Cellar Designers Group which upholds the quality standards in the construction of wine storage facilities. We have completed beautiful residential and commercial wine cellar projects for our clients all over Washington DC.

July 6, 2018July 6, 2018

Metal Wine Racks Washington DC – Perfect Contemporary Wine Storage Solutions

Avid wine collectors in Washington DC usually have wines of various origins, types, colors, or brands that are stored in a special place. That storage space could be a wine cooler, wine rack, wine cabinet, or wine cellar, depending on their personal choice and storage needs.

Wine racks are one of the most common facilities that wine collectors use to store and display their precious wines. The two types of wine rack based on style are traditional and contemporary wine racks. Traditional wine racks are commonly made of wood, while modern wine racks are made of metal.

It is evident nowadays that metal wine racks Washington DC are becoming more popular as many wine enthusiasts and wine business owners prefer a modern feel to their wine storage systems.

3 Reasons to Choose Metal Wine Racks

Why are metal wine racks perfect for the contemporary Washington DC wine cellar? It is because of these three characteristics that this type of wine rack has to offer:

Durability
Elegance
Versatility

Durability is one of the essential features that a wine collector wants to find in a wine rack. Metal wine racks are very sturdy in that they can hold wine bottles for long periods of time. Safety is a vital criterion when it comes to choosing a wine racking solution, and metal wine racks offer just that.

Aesthetics is another advantage that you can get when using metal wine racks Washington DC. They convey elegance to the design whether they are placed in the living room, kitchen, family room, entertainment room, wine bar, restaurant, or hotel. The metal’s surface renders a beautiful contrast to the glossy wine bottles, which are made of glass, and to almost any furnishings.

Click here to learn more about metal wine racks. — Metal Wine Racks are Great for Commercial Wine Storage and Display

Metal wine racks are very versatile. They are used not only in contemporary design but with traditional wine racking systems as well. Since metal is a malleable material, it can be custom made to any wine rack design you want. Include the different types of metal finishes to meet the design needs.

Metal wine racks are either stand alone or wall-mounted. Some creative wine collectors even try to scatter the metal wine racks in various locations of the house to serve both as a storage and decorative element.

View a larger image here. — Metal wine racks are useful for both commercial and residential wine cellars.

With all of these favorable characteristics, you can never go wrong with metal wine racks whether it be for residential or commercial storage purposes. Now that we have enumerated the benefits of using metal wine racks, let us talk about VintageView metal wine racks.

VintageView Metal Wine Racks – Reliable Wine Storage Solutions

VintageView is a leader in contemporary wine rack design. Their metal wine racks are known for their artful layouts, high quality, and competitive price.

We highly recommend VintageView metal wine racks because of the following properties:

Modular design that allows distinctive configurations in any custom wine cellar design
Label-forward display orientation
Space-efficiency that maximizes storage capacity
Promotes proper airflow to ensure the safety of wines for decades
Easy installation and maintenance

Check out below some photos of the stunning custom wine cellars with VintageView metal wine racks built by Coastal Custom Wine Cellars.

Choose Metal Wine Racks for your Contemporary Home or Commercial Wine Cellar

Metal wine racks are perfect for the modern and contemporary Washington DC wine cellar. With the many design possibilities you can create using metal wine racks, your wine cellar will surely stand out!

Want to start the installation of your metal wine racks or contemporary wine cellar now? Contact Coastal Custom Wine Cellars at +1 (888) 735-8889 (toll-free) to assist you with your wine storage plans.

June 21, 2018June 21, 2018

Significance, Types, and Brands of Washington DC Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

Building a custom wine cellar is considered as a major project by wine collectors and those in the hospitality business. For every wine cellar project, the ultimate goal is to protect the client’s wine investment. This is achieved by creating a highly efficient climate-controlled wine cellar.

Therefore, it is important to carefully design every single detail of the wine cellar. Custom Wine Cellars is available to assist you with your Washington DC wine cellar refrigeration needs.

The Importance of Having a Wine Cellar Refrigeration System

The purpose of creating a wine cellar is not just to organize and display your wine collection.

More importantly, it must effectively protect your fine wines from certain environmental factors that can cause undesirable changes on wine..

These environmental elements include temperature, humidity, vibration, and even noise.

Incorrect Wine Storage Habits that can Cause Wine Damage

Some people in Washington DC are used to storing their wine at room temperature, and just chill it before serving it. Others claim that their wines are safe because they are stored in an air-conditioned room.

This concept or practice must be corrected especially for those who have several to hundreds or thousands of wine bottles to store. If wines are exposed to extreme and unstable environmental elements over a period of time, certain chemical reactions take place. This can cause undesirable effects on the taste, smell, and overall experience of wine.

Maintaining Ideal Temperature and Humidity Levels for Optimum Wine Aging

Efficient wine cellars have climate control systems that maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels. To promote optimum wine aging, the temperature level inside the wine cellar must be maintained at 57 degrees Fahrenheit, while the humidity should be kept at 50 to 60 percent.

Moreover, vibration and noise must be avoided or kept at a minimum inside the wine room because these can also affect the wine aging process.

Different Types of Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

The type of wine cellar cooling system you need will depend on the size, layout, and capacity of the cellar. Below are the different types of wine cellar refrigeration systems:

Self-Contained Through-the-Wall Wine Cellar Refrigeration System

This type of wine cellar cooling system is the most affordable and simplest to install. It comes in one piece and it is installed through the wall. It can be mounted on an exterior wall, or on an interior wall that is adjacent to another room where hot air and fan noise can be exhausted.

If installed on an exterior wall, just make sure to choose a self-contained wine cellar refrigeration unit that can operate well at temperatures of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

If installed on an interior wall, the adjacent room where heat and noise is exhausted must have good ventilation and at least the same size as the wine cellar. This room could be an unused area in your basement or garage. Mechanical or furnace rooms can also be used for this purpose.

Ductless Split Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

The ductless split wine cellar refrigeration system is composed of an evaporator and condenser which are installed separately. As shown in the illustration, the evaporator is placed inside the wine cellar while the condenser is installed outside the wine cellar.

Venting is not necessary with this type of Washington DC wine cellar refrigeration system. A line set that includes a small copper tubing and an electrical wiring connects the evaporator and condenser.

Ducted Split Air Handler Wine Cellar Refrigeration System

The ducted split air handler wine cellar cooling system functions almost identically to the ductless split type of wine cellar refrigeration Washington DC unit. One common reason it is preferred over the latter is that the equipment is not visible in the wine cellar. The ducting system is installed to allow the cooled air to pass to and from the wine cellar.

The Different Brands of Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

Wine Guardian Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

Wine Guardian wine cellar refrigeration system is a great option if you are looking for a wide range of affordable yet reliable models to choose from. They offer self-contained, ductless split, and ducted split wine cellar refrigeration systems.

Wine Guardian cooling units are ideal for both residential and commercial wine cellars. They feature efficient temperature and humidity control. The look of their cooling units matches today’s contemporary trend in wine cellar design. This is especially true for Wine Guardian’s through-the-wall wine cellar refrigeration systems because they are usually visible inside the wine cellar.

WhisperKOOL Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

WhisperKOOL wine cellar refrigeration systems are known for their efficient power and cooling capacity. This is why WhisperKOOL is the brand of choice for wine cellars located in areas with extremely high temperatures.

Another reason why wine cellar owners and builders prefer this brand is that they feature a Liquid Measuring Thermostat. This device effectively detects liquid temperature and helps maintain the ideal wine cellar temperature.

CellarPro Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

CellarPro wine cellar refrigeration systems are a popular choice because of they are considered as the quietest cooling systems in the industry. They are ideal for wine cabinets, humidors, closets, cupboards, and custom wine cellars as big as 2,500 cubic feet.

They offer self-contained and ductless split wine cellar cooling systems. CellarPro features reliable alarm, bottle probe, and humidity control systems that helps preserve the ideal wine storage environment.

Get a Washington DC Wine Cellar Refrigeration Unit now!

An efficient and reliable wine cellar refrigeration system is indeed a must-have when it comes to protecting your fine wines. Start investing in a Wine Guardian, WhisperKool, or CellarPro cooling unit now! Contact Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC so we can assist you in choosing and installing your Washington DC wine cellar refrigeration unit.

June 10, 2018

A Beautiful and Daring Contemporary Custom Wine Closet for Home Project

Having a beautiful custom wine cellar at home is a pride for savvy wine collectors. Being able to showcase your fine wines and reflect your personality and taste in the design of your home wine cellar is such a fulfilling thing.

Here, we are going to look into one of the most daring glass enclosed wine closet for home projects that Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC built for a couple. The owners Erin and Rob wanted to convert a small space of their house into a climate-controlled wine storage room. The space is adjacent to the dining room table and right outside the kitchen.

This contemporary custom wine closet design was certainly a doable one. But some aspects of the preparation were really challenging, and the construction team got only a few months to complete the custom wine closet.

The team had to prepare the walls for refrigeration, reroute the electrical outlets, and consider the pantry at the back wall.

Preparing the Area

Demo the existing wall coverings

For this Washington DC wine closet, it was vital to demo the existing wall to determine if it was stable enough to accommodate a self-contained cooling unit. After demoing the wall, the team at Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC sealed the walls and ceiling to ensure effective insulation for this climate-controlled custom wine closet.

Click here to see a larger image. — Before Photo – Custom Wine Cellar Closet Project

Determine the number of bottles to store and then the size of the wine racking

The clients specified that they have a total of 632 bottles of different sizes. With this specification, the design team agreed that the custom wine closet should have a height of eight feet, width of 7 feet, and depth of 2 feet. The plan below shows

Wall Extension

Wall extension was needed to add more space and make movement easier inside the wine closet. The Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC team was able to widen the space by creating a double-board frame.

Choosing the Best Refrigeration System for a Glass Enclosed Wine Closet for Home

Being wine enthusiasts, the clients already acknowledged the need to install a cooling unit inside the glass enclosed wine closet. The group carefully decided which wine cellar cooling product to use considering the narrow space of the custom wine closet.

The team and the clients agreed that the best refrigeration unit to use is the CellarPro 1800. This choice is just perfect for the small wine closet because it is portable, and it can be mounted through the wall.

The CellarPro 1800 cooling unit was installed into a small square opening such that its back part is facing the pantry. With this set up, the cooling unit gets fresh air from the pantry, and then the hot air is exhausted to a space just above the wine closet.

Enhancing the Look

Premium Redwood was the wood type chosen for the custom designed wooden wine racks. This wood has a light, natural color with pinkish tonal quality that is very pleasing to the eye.

Click here to see a video tour of this custom wine closet project. — Glass Enclosed Custom Wine Cellar

Lighting was added to enhance the look of the contemporary Washington DC wine closet. This made the bottles on the wine rack display row pop out beautifully!

The Design Features

Below are the main features of this custom wine closet project:

7′ x 8′ x 2′ (width, height, depth)
Bottle capacity of 632
Wooden wine racks made of unfinished Premium Redwood
3 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ individual bottle openings that can house Oregon Pinot Style, standard Champagne, and most Zinfandel and Syrah bottles
Label-forward horizontal display row that fits 750ml and 1.5L bottles
Tabletop: Double-deep Premium Redwood with a lacquer finish (this protects the wood from spills and scratches)
Upper racks: Single deep individual bottle storage opening with high-reveal display rows
Lower racks: Double-deep square bins for bulk storage and individual bottle storage openings for 750ml bottles
Base and crown moldings
Barolo style dual paned glass doors in Alder wood with rustic stain

A Successful Custom Wine Closet for Home Project

This project was started May 2015 and was completed August of the same year. With only about three months to finish this custom wine closet, the output is amazing! Erin and Rob were so happy with the results and the kind of workmanship that the team showed.

Starting your Custom Wine Closet Washington DC Project

If you have a custom wine closet Washington DC project in mind, choose Custom Wine Cellars Washington DC. They are a member of the Wine Cellar Designers Group, which is a group of contractors, builders, manufacturers, and sales people who aim to promote quality standards in the construction of custom wine cellars for residential and commercial settings.