Wine Rooms

Scottsdale’s Custom Restaurant & Retail Wine Rooms

Wine collections can reach high levels of value. Unfortunately, it’s easy for wine to sustain damage from its surroundings. 

Storing a bottle of wine incorrectly could lead an expensive batch to lose both its flavor and value. Custom wine cellars can help you create a safe environment for your collection.

Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC specializes in the refrigeration elements of wine rooms, ensuring the environment is ideal for your wine collection. We work with expert trades to ensure that construction, framing, glass and electrical systems are done properly to meet your wine storage needs. Feel free to stop by in person in Scottsdale, Arizona to get your questions answered! Read our positive reviews to gain insight about the work we do in Arizona.

Refrigeration Design and Customization Options

You’ll have plenty of opportunities for design and customization options when planning the refrigeration system for your new wine room.

We work closely with your builders and designers to ensure the cooling system integrates seamlessly with the overall design of your space.

While we do not build or frame wine rooms, we will ensure the refrigeration system is perfectly integrated with your space.

Some key considerations you want to think about are: 

• Space: Consider how much room you have and where to place your cooling system.
• Material & Insulation: Proper insulation is crucial for maintaining consistent temperatures.
• Lighting & Shelving: Your cooling system should complement your design choices without disturbing the aesthetic or functionality of the room. 

When planning your wine room, there are a lot of important factors to consider, but there’s one that stands above the rest: making sure you have the right refrigeration specialist on board.

Why You Need a Refrigeration Specialist

The backbone of any wine storage room is a reliable, properly chosen cooling unit. This is what will keep your wine at its best for years to come. But not all cooling systems are created equal. Many people think that off-the-shelf mini-split air conditioners will do the trick. They’re affordable, sure, but the real question is: are they good enough for your wine?

Why Standard AC Units Just Don’t Cut It for Wine Rooms:

• Built for people, not wine: Wine needs to be kept at a cool 55-58°F, while mini-splits are optimized for 72°F, ideal for humans but not your collection.
• Risk of corks drying out and wine evaporating: These AC units, when pushed to cooler temps, dry out the air, leading to cracked corks and evaporated wine.
• Could harm the aroma and flavor: The vibrations from these units might not seem like much, but over time, they can negatively impact your wine’s delicate aroma and taste.
• Doesn’t fit the aesthetics: Even though they’re called “mini,” these units can still be bulky and can detract from the sleek, discreet look you want for your wine room.
• Repair risks: When these units need repairs, the process can involve moving your wine, which increases the risk of damaging your collection.

We want your wine room to be as functional as it is beautiful. That’s why it’s crucial to hire Forbes Refrigeration. With our deep knowledge of refrigeration and HVAC systems, we’ll ensure your wine collection is not just showcased, but properly protected for the long haul. Call us today at (480) 266-5211.

Temperature and Humidity Control

Wine is best when stored at a consistent temperature of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity should stay between 60 and 80 percent. 

Methods to control temperature and humidity include: 

• Specialized refrigeration systems: Normal cooling systems remove humidity from the air while cooling it. A specialized unit maintains both temperature and humidity in wine rooms. 
• Insulation: Once the climate control system sets the wine room to the right temperature, insulation helps keep it consistent. 
• Vapor barriers: These help lock the moisture in a wine room and prevent outside humidity from affecting it. 

Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC can help with all of this. We can help with insulation and install cooling systems perfect for wine rooms. 

Storage Solutions and Organization 

Wine storage options include different wine racks, shelves, and storage units. Depending on your space, you can set up a series of wine racks or turn an entire wall into a system of wine shelving. 

While storage and organization typically revolve around simply fitting your collection into a room, there are practical considerations to make as well. Storage that fails to take vibration into account will end up disturbing the sediments in old bottles, damaging your collection. 

To keep your bottles safe, make sure to: 

• Always store bottles on their sides
• Ensure air circulation
• Avoid vibrations 

Organizing your wine collection may also involve inventory management. You can choose to track your collection on a notepad or in a spreadsheet. But you could also use a dedicated app or program.

Security and Access Control 

Security and access control are also vital when dealing with a valuable wine collection.

Security options include: 

• Lock and key
• Electronic locks/keypads
• Biometric scanners
• Security cameras
• Movement or heat sensors
• Individual bottle locks

However, these measures only protect your wine from unwanted visitors. You’ll also need to make sure that anyone in your wine room knows how to properly handle wine bottles. Visitors should understand how to avoid damaging them.

You may also want to consider carrying insurance on your collection. A policy could help you recover if something unexpected happens.

Keep Your Wine Collection Safe

If you want comfort while you are away, Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC in Maricopa County, will monitor the temperature of the room and save the day. Schedule your appointment by calling or texting (480) 266-5211 today.

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Wine Room and a Wine Cellar?

Traditionally, the difference is that a wine room is upstairs in the living quarters while a wine cellar is underground. However, the term “cellar” also implies a storage focus, while the term “room” implies the wine may be on display.

How Large Should a Wine Room Be?

Experts suggest a wine room can be up to 100-500 square feet. A space this size is large enough to accommodate 1,500 to 5,500 bottles but still small enough to maintain.

Does a Wine Room Add Value to Your Home?

Yes, a wine room can add value and be a way to attract buyers.

How Cold Are Wine Rooms?

Ideal temperature for wine storage is 55°F to 57°F (12°C to 14°C) with an average 60% relative humidity. Wine cellar cooling systems also remove water from the air, but by design they remove much less, keeping in mind the ideal humidity level.

Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC will create a tailor-made wine room for you. Call or text us at (480) 266-5211 to get started.