Wine Cellars

A wine cellar doesn’t have to be obvious, with grape vines on the walls or wine barrel tables.

One of my clients is in the process of adding a wine cellar to their home.  While they are working with a wine cellar professional on this project, they have consulted with me on architectural elements like flooring, paint, and lighting.  With a 10,000 bottle capacity, this wine cellar is no small undertaking!  I find their plans for the wine cellar really interesting and inspiring.

As I watched their excitement over the design of the wine cellar, I thought of my ideal vision for such a space.  I like the idea of incorporating traditional wine cellar materials like wood and stone, while adapting these things for a more modern look.  A wine cellar doesn’t have to be obvious, with grape vines on the walls or wine barrel tables.

Traditional, but unconventional.
I love the catwalk above this wine cellar.
A large, sleek space that is spare and functional.

I also like the idea of making the wine cellar more than just a storage space.  Rather than keeping the wine out of sight in a place where the host or hostess retrieves it alone, why not incorporate some seating to turn the area into a gathering place?  Being able to sit with a a friend or two (or several!) surrounded by great wine sounds like such a relaxing way to socialize.

Wine Station wine cellar, by MAP Architects.
A more modern space.

If you like the idea of making the wine cellar a place to spend time with friends and family, it’s not much of a stretch to take the entire place out of the cellar.  With modern technology making climate control possible in any part of the home, there’s no reason to confine a beautiful wine cellar to the basement.  You can capture the wine cellar look and feel in a not-so-obvious spot, such as a room divider or a nook you aren’t really using.  It’s an appealing and practical approach to create a usable wine area in a more accessible part of the home.

This would be such a cool place to spend time!
Accessible, functional, and beautiful.
Amazing kitchen with open wine “cellar.”
Warm and lofty.
Even a small area can be a sophisticated spot to display and enjoy wine.

What would your ideal wine cellar (or room!) look like?