David Gype and his team at Arctic Metalworks are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship in designing contemporary wine cellars. They had the privilege of working on a captivating project in Orange County, where they completely transformed a space into a stunning modern glass wine cellar. Their team incorporated distinctive elements that truly set this wine room apart from the rest. By skillfully combining metal and glass components, they crafted a visually striking wine display further enhanced by a sophisticated lighting system.
In this project feature, we take a close look at this modern dining room wine cellar .
Building a Contemporary Wine Cellar in St. Francis Wood, SF
Crafting a remarkable glass wine cellar in Orange County demands a blend of expertise, creativity, and comprehensive understanding. At Arctic Metalworks, we prioritize close collaboration with our clients, ensuring that every aspect is meticulously considered. Our primary goal is to surpass their expectations, delivering a masterpiece that becomes a source of pride when showcasing to guests.
Preparation is Key to a Refrigerated Contemporary Wine Cellar
In the construction of a refrigerated glass wine cellar near the dining room and kitchen, proper preparation for the wine cooling unit installation is a crucial requirement. Leveraging their extensive experience in the construction industry, Arctic Metalworks possesses a wealth of knowledge in the art of wine cellar construction.
Prior to erecting walls and incorporating the various components, our team takes meticulous steps to ensure optimal insulation. By utilizing polyurethane insulation, installing a vapor barrier, and adding drywall, they demonstrated their profound understanding of the pivotal role insulation plays in creating a suitable wine storage environment. When executed with precision, this insulation process establishes an airtight seal within the cellar, effectively safeguarding against drastic temperature fluctuations and wine spoilage. Conversely, insufficient or subpar insulation can lead to unstable conditions and the accumulation of condensation within the glass wine cellar.
Equally vital is the inclusion of a vapor barrier in the wine room. Functioning as a vital component, the vapor barrier serves to separate the climate-controlled environment inside the cellar from the warmer surroundings outside. This barrier aids in achieving the optimal conditions necessary for wines to retain their desired characteristics, ensuring their preservation over time.
Metal Wine Racks That Imbibe Sophistication
To enhance both convenience and wine preservation in their contemporary wine cellar design, they opted for label-forward metal wine racks on both the left and right walls. This clever arrangement eliminates the need to remove bottles from the racking and flip them around to read the labels. As a result, locating a specific type of wine becomes significantly more convenient. It’s important to note that flipping a bottle can disturb any sediments settled on one side, potentially impacting the wine’s texture and flavor. If you work with us, we can help you choose from many different metal wine rack design for your contemporary home wine cellar.
To ensure structural integrity, they took meticulous measures in reinforcing VintageView’s metal wine racks. They crafted sturdy plywood backing for each rack, enabling them to bear the weight of the wines securely. This approach not only provides stability but also guarantees the long-term preservation of the collection.
Choosing the Right Wine Cellar Cooling Another Important Factor
Maintaining proper temperature is crucial when it comes to preserving the quality of wine, as heat is its primary adversary. To ensure optimal storage conditions, wines should be housed in a dark and cool environment, typically ranging between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. In the case of this glass-enclosed wine cellar, Arctic Metalworks carefully selected an industrial-grade split system cooling unit.
The refrigeration system plays a vital role in the overall construction of a wine cellar and must be appropriately sized and installed by a professional. At Arctic Metalworks, they place great emphasis on conducting a thorough heat load calculation. This calculation takes into account various factors such as the amount of glass used, the size and location of the wine room, and nearby sources of heat. By accurately determining the necessary BTUs (British Thermal Units), they ensure that every wine cellar they make is equipped with the appropriate cooling capacity.
Picking the Right Size of Your Cooling Unit
Installing an ill-suited climate control unit can lead to significant issues in wine storage. If the cooling unit is too small for the wine room, it will be unable to create the optimal conditions required for proper aging. Elevated temperatures can degrade the quality of the wine by altering its chemical composition.
Conversely, an oversized refrigeration system can accelerate the aging process of the wines stored in the modern glass wine cellar. This hastened maturation often results in an unpleasant taste and can diminish the overall enjoyment of the wine.
To address the specific conditions of this project, we opted for a 1/3-horsepower wine cooling unit. Considering the presence of direct afternoon sunlight on one side of the wall and the utilization of non-insulated glass for the door, we determined that a more robust refrigeration system would be necessary. These factors influenced our decision in selecting the appropriate unit size.
Should the desired temperature of 55 degrees lead to condensation buildup, the owners have the flexibility to adjust the temperature setting accordingly. In this particular contemporary wine cellar design, we strategically positioned the evaporator above the racking on the left wall. To ensure easy maintenance, we concealed it within a removable wooden grill cover.
Cooling This Contemporary Wine Cellar
For this project, the team incorporated a high-quality commercial-grade climate control system, known for its exceptional performance and reliability in the industry. They integrated a water-catching pump that redirects the water to an outdoor location to effectively manage condensation. The condenser, responsible for expelling the heat from the wine cellar, is located outside the house. By running the refrigeration lines and drains to the outdoor area where the condenser resides, they ensured efficient operation.
It’s important to highlight that proper maintenance is a vital aspect of owning a home wine cellar. For a system of this nature, they strongly recommend scheduling maintenance visits from a technician at least twice a year. Regular service appointments not only safeguard your wine collection but also help prevent more costly repairs in the future.
Your Closet Can Be Your Next Contemporary Wine Cellar Too!
It might seem easy to design contemporary wine cellars at a quick glance. But a design that’s entirely crafted for functionality? Now that’s something only specialists like Arctic Metalworks and Custom Wine Cellars San Francisco can do.
Collaboration lies at the heart of Custom Wine Cellars San Francisco’s approach. We take the time to listen to your specific needs, preferences, and aspirations for your contemporary wine cellar. We love working closely with our clients throughout the process to ensure that every detail is meticulously tailored to your individual style and requirements. This personalized attention guarantees a truly customized and remarkable space that reflects your taste and enhances your wine collection.
If you’re interested in a contemporary wine cellar for your St. Francis Wood home or wherever you are in and around San Francisco and California, give us a call today at (415)508-8419 !
