Below we attempt to list our top five under stairs wine rack projects, judging on a combination of the complexity of the project, the required level of craftsmanship needed, the ingenuity of the wine racking capacity, the finalised look, and (most important) the client’s satisfaction.
We have noticed a growth in the demand for bespoke under stair wine rack projects in the UK recently. Our guess is there are two reasons, firstly people really love wine these days, and secondly space is often at a premium in modern houses so homeowners have adopted new innovative ways to maximise that space.
Under Stairs Wine Rack Projects
1. The Classic Oak Stained Pine Installation
A timeless design that can complement almost every British home whilst keeping costs to a minimum, featuring handcrafted pine racks and shelves with a natural oak stain finish to highlight the wood’s grain.
2. The Rustic Retreat
Ideal for the country house, this wine rack uses reclaimed wood to add character and history to your wine collection.
Pine cubes and galvanised steel wine racks under stairs
3. The Glass Showcase
Incorporating glass elements to display your prized bottles, this design is perfect for the modern collector who loves to showcase their collection.
4. The Minimalist
This project is all about clean lines and uncluttered design, using white ash wood and a matte finish to achieve a minimalist look.
Traditional wood-metal under-stair wine rack
5. The Modernist Dark Wood Blend
For the contemporary home, this project combines sleek metal with warm wood tones, creating a striking contrast that’s sure to be a conversation starter.
Solid Oak stained dark oak colour understairs wine rack
Complex shapes need skilled craftsmanship
The biggest stand out of these under stairs wine rack projects is the need for versatility and creativity of both our design team and the craftsman.
The under stairs space is often awkward, triangular, and non standard. Our goal is to complete each project so that the new under stairs wine rack looks like it was always a part of the house and that is perfectly belongs in the space. At WineRacks.co.uk, we pride ourselves on every job that our long serving and experienced craftsmanship create, matching with the client’s specific needs and adopting the ideal wood type and finish every time.
This article provides the information you need to make sure your wine cellar, or wine room is kept at the perfect temperature. In particular, we look at the importance of cellar conditioners.
Cellar Conditioner Experts
If a cellar conditioner is needed, and for perfect wine storage it usually is, you need to understand what a cellar conditioner does and how it works.
At Wine Racks UK we have nearly 50 years of perfecting the storage of prestige wines for our very discerning clients.
If you are wanting the best place to store your collections call A&W Moore Wine Racks UK.
A wine cellar conditioner is a specifically designed system for achieving and maintaining the the perfect atmosphere for your wine cellar and the wines in it. They operate like an air cooling systems, with built in monitors, refrigerating system and an evaporator.
Why should I buy a cellar conditioner rather than a regular/ standard air conditioner?
There is a significant difference between a cellar conditioner and a regular air conditioning for a cellar. We strongly advise to use the former and will explain what a cellar conditioner does and how it works.
What is the main difference between a standard or regular air conditioner and a proper wine cooling system/cellar conditioner?
Lower demand for temperature. Slower rate of cooling. All year running and humidification function.
How a cellar conditioner works
The cellar conditioners that sit in the wall have a fan that runs and circulates the air inside the cellar. The air entering the unit is cooled if it is above the desired temperature and the same air is returned to the cellar. There is a heat exchanger and the units operate within a 2C range so that the cooling side of the unit is not constantly being turned on and off. If the unit is set at 12C it will run between 11-13˚C. The warmth created by the unit is then expelled out of the back of the unit. Some people think that the warm air coming out of the back of the unit is the same warm air that went into the front of the unit from the cellar which is incorrect. The air in the cellar is recirculated. As the air in the cellar is cooled it will produce a small amount of moisture.
Damp with Normal Air Conditioning
What tends to happen is that when the units are first turned on they will produce a small amount of water and then settle down to produce very little water if any, providing that the cellar has no damp problems and that the door has a proper seal and is not being continually opened. The units are not designed to be a dehumidifier for a damp cellar. The water that is produced is recirculated back into the cellar to keep the humidity at a reasonable level. Excess water is drained off.
The split systems work in a very similar way except the warmth created by the unit in the cellar is transferred to a liquid which is pumped to the outside of the building and the heat is expelled into the atmosphere.
The importance of using a cellar conditioner
We have often been asked, particularly on new build projects, whether the company doing the air conditioning for the house can put a standard conditioning unit in and programme it to operate at 14˚ C . For example, Panasonic make a wall mounted PACi that can be programmed to operate at low temperatures.
There has been problems with the standard units as the ones that we have used in our cellars have a special coating on the internal parts so that it helps to prevent corrosion.
Cellars often have relatively high humidity levels compared with normal living accommodation. When moisture comes out of brick work or concrete it can form efflorescence salts. When this is combined with water it produces acid which can destroy the standard air conditioning.
Efflorescence salts damage normal air conditioners
The above picture shows efflorescence salts on the brick work. This was a new build cellar and the owner employed a company that did not have experience in fitting cellar conditioners.
The Advantage of Cellar Conditioners
Unlike a cellar conditioner, a standard unit has no corrosion protection so it failed after a few months of operation. After having a new cellar built it is a good idea to use a dehumidifier for a few weeks so the bricks and concrete can be thoroughly dried out. Often concrete will look and feel dry but it is still emitting moisture which can cause wood to warp. It is easy to tell when the cellar is properly dry as the dehumidifier will no longer be extracting water from the air.
Good humidity as well as temperature
Standard air conditioners also tend to dry the air in the cellar as when the air is cooled moisture is removed and they have a drain to take this out of the cellar. The result is that the air can become very dry and can damage the corks by drying them out. It is not uncommon for the moisture content to be reduced to 50% humidity which is far to low for a wine cellar. Proper cellar conditioners such as the Fondis units retain the water so that it can be sent back into the cellar to maintain a reasonable humidity. If there is excess water in damp cellars the units do have a drain to remove the excess.
Need help with your wine cellar? Contact the experts on 0115 944 1434!
When building a wine cellar you need to know about, and get right, the four vitally important factors to good wine storage namely; humidity, temperature, light and the correct storage system.
This article covers humidity and damp.
The wine cellar experts
A & W Moore Wine Racks UK are often contacted after a wine cellar has been built and asked what they need to do to rectify problems and faults.
Below we aim to share some of our nearly 50 years of experience and give you some advice of how to avoid the pitfalls and the correct procedures.
Better still, give us a call and our experienced craftsmen will know how best to deliver the perfect wine cellar project.
Generally the British climate is never too dry to store wine and the need for a humidifier is not needed provided that the cellar does not have an excessive amount of ventilation. There are many more cellars that are too wet rather than too dry.
When building an underground cellar it is important that it is constructed to a grade 3 standard where no damp or seepage is acceptable.
Unfortunately we have come across many cases where the home owner did not take proper specialist advice and their builder was inexperienced in building under ground cellars/basements.
The grades for waterproofing underground structures:
Grade 1A – Seepage and damp areas from internal and external sources are tolerable if they don’t affect the intended use of the space.
Grade 1B – Seepage is not tolerable, but damp areas from both internal and external sources are (free water can’t enter, but damp patches can occur).
Grade 2 – Seepage is not acceptable, but damp areas may be tolerable if resulting from condensation or moisture in the air (this may require management measures).
Grade 3 – No seepage or damp is acceptable.
Wine Cellar Damp Problems
Grade 1B states that seepage of water is not tolerable, but damp areas from both internal and external sources are (free water can’t enter, but damp patches can occur).
The problem with this standard is that when the water table rises considerably as it can during very heavy rain fall the damp patches turn to being extremely damp and wet. It is very difficult to construct grade 2 structure that does not turn into a Grade 1 structure after persistent heavy rain.
The result is a wine cellar with a humidity above 80%, mould is likely to form or grow on wooden surfaces and if wine was to be stored the labels and corks will grow mould as shown in the picture below.
This example shows where a new build cellar was built to grade 1B.
Solutions to Damp
If you have a cellar that is too damp there are many waterproofing products available that can be used to turn a very damp cellar into a perfectly usable one. The type and method will have to be assessed on an individual basis depending on the wall structure and the depth below ground level. The water pressure below ground rises the deeper the cellar is and this needs to be taken into account when deciding upon the remedy for a damp cellar. We have come across a case where a leaking cellar was successfully tanked, but after a period of heavy rain, the water pressure cracked and lifted the concrete floor.
Construction Chemicals
Construction Chemicals Ltd provide a range of products that can be used to solve the problems of a damp cellar and they offer good advice on which product should be used. https://www.constructionchemicals.co.uk/ The products can be applied by a local builder. Other solutions involve lining the wall with a water proof membrane so that the water drains into a sump and a cellar pump to take away excess water.
Cellars that are built above ground level should be built with a vapour barrier to the floor, walls and ceiling and care should also be taken to ensure that they are well insulated.
Need help with your wine cellar? Contact the experts on 0115 944 1434!
Wine is being seen by more and more people as an alternative asset, especially when traditional investment opportunities may not be returning sufficiently attractive returns. Investing in wine can be done as a means of diversifying an investment portfolio, as well as providing a great reason to invest more time in pleasurable hobby!
As a business that specialises in designing and building wine racks and installing cellar air conditioning units for storing personal wine collections, Wine Racks UK can help and share our expertise.
An introduction to Investing in Wine
This is by no means advice, but if you are interested in the idea of investing in wines here are the basics and links to some good articles.
As with any investment the process to investing wine is;
Research what to buy
Choosing when to buy
Deciding where you are going to store your investment wine
Understanding how long to hold on to your investment
Another good article on investing in wine include can be found on Unbiased.
How to store investment wine at home
Wine investors will not be surprised to hear about the importance of proper wine storage. Good storage of investment wine collections is paramount to success.
You can store with third party, professional warehouses, which might be the safest place if you are not 100% sure on how best to keep your investment wine at its optimum quality. However there will be a charge for this service.
You can store your collection in a home cellar but we strongly advise getting it professionally built.
As a guide your investment wine storage needs
The perfect temperature for each wine type
As near zero UV light as possible
Cellar wine storage racks at the right angle
Reduce dampness for long term storage
Seal the room as best you can.
The professional at Halleck Vineyard have written a good article on building a home cellar to store wine.
In for the long haul
Wine is a slow-return investment that needs patience and long term planning.
Make sure that whatever you wine investment storage plans are, that they can last for many years.
Wine racks come in all shapes and sizes, but there’s no denying there’s something extra special and especially eye-catching about a large wine rack, if done right.
Large wine racks are most commonly found in commercial premises like hotels, restaurants, bars, brasseries and pubs, and indeed most of our large wine racks are made to order for these kind of spaces. But that’s not to say that they’re the sole preserve of these establishments. Far from it. Large wine racks have long been a popular and attractive option for our private clients too, right from our inception back in 1977.
It’s worth pointing out that there isn’t an exact definition of what constitutes a large wine rack, but for our purposes we’re talking about the size and type of storage you’d need for a wine cellar – so a space which could potentially hold thousands of bottles of wine. Speaking of wine cellars, if you want to know why they’re the best place to store your wine, please check out this recent article on wine cellars[1] .
Options for large wine racks
There are several things to consider when you’re going through your large wine rack options. The importance you place on each factor depends on your specific requirements, but the obvious starting point is the size and dimension of your wine cellar space, and its location within your property. A wine cellar isn’t necessarily situated below ground level, it’s simply the place where you keep your wine.
The more spacious your area, the more flexibility you’ll have. You may even be planning to use your cellar as an area for socialising, beyond its main purpose as a place to store wine. But whatever the size of your cellar, smart decision making will result in a more effective use of the space at your disposal. We’re of course here to advise you in any way we can.
Perhaps you already have an idea in mind for the kind of large wine rack you want, and how you imagine it looking once installed. The material you decide on – from various wood or metal options – depends on whether you favour a traditional or more contemporary design. This of course is a matter of personal taste, but you might also wish to consider how the style of your cellar and the large wine racks within it would complement your property’s existing interior design.
Whether you’re a serious collector or an enthusiastic amateur, we can promise you a unique, bespoke solution made to measure and precision fitted for your specific needs – this is what we do, so please get in touch when you’re ready and we’ll get the ball rolling.
Any wine connoisseur dreams of having a wine cellar in their own home. As wine cellars are becoming increasingly popular for many conventional homeowners, it’s never too late to get one installed in your home!
Read on to discover why upgrading from a wine rack or wine cabinet to a wine cellar is the best place to store your wine.
Arrange into categories
If your collection of wine is continuously growing, having a built-in wine cellar in your house is the perfect way to organise your wine. You can arrange your wine into categories, such as colour, age, region and even different occasions. Organising your wine makes it easier for you to choose and get access to the bottle you wish to drink for a special event or even just to sip leisurely.
Avoid direct sunlight
Wine cellars can prevent and protect your wine from coming in to contact with sunlight. The UV rays from sunlight can cause damage to your wine and speed up premature ageing. As every room in a house has windows, the wine on the wine racks or wine cabinets will inevitably be exposed to the natural light.
It is, therefore, best to keep wine cellars in darkness and away from sunlight, you’ll need to have some form of light to see and pick a bottle of wine when a guest comes around. It is recommended to use a LED light source for your wine cellar, as minimal heat is emitted from the bulb. An LED bulb also prevents temperature fluctuations, as well as eliminating wine degradation and the build-up of moisture.
Prevents temperature fluctuations
Changes in the temperature can have a negative impact on the wine’s ageing and chemical process. A wine cellar will be a great solution to keep the temperature mild, constant and controlled. Although you are able to control the temperature and store wine in wine fridges or coolers. They’re not ideal for storing wine in the long-term as they produce heat, whereas with wine cellars, considering they’re in an environment with a controlled temperature and other optimal cellar conditions, you can store your collection of wine for many years.
Optimise humidity levels
Humidity is another factor that affects the condition of the wine. Wine stored in a wine fridge can dehumidify the wine and cause the cork to dry out, but excess humidity offers the perfect condition for mould to grow and destroy wine labels. With a wine cellar, you can control the moisture in a room to the optimal level – it is recommended that the wine should be at 70% humidity.
Reduced vibrations
Vibrations can accelerate the ageing process of wine and speed the chemical reactions, which decreases the quality of the wine. No matter whether it is accidental, or if you have limited room to move around freely, you can create vibrations by bumping into the side of the table where the wine racks are placed or nudging wine cabinets. A wine cellar can minimise vibrations, and thus allowing you to store your wine for longer.
Increase the price of your home
You can increase the price of your home if you build your own wine cellar. All you need is a basement, small room, or garage – you can even consider extending your home if you do not have space. There are many wine enthusiasts who would love to live in a house with an area that’s dedicated to wine. With the in-built wine cellar, they could be willing to pay more for your property as this feature is rarely offered to the housing marketing.
The concept of the wine bar is not new. Many people conjure an image of a small, dark, intimate venue with a selection of wines available, and perhaps some nibbles if they are lucky. But one company, with wine bars in popular locations across London and Paris, is changing the very idea of the wine bar.
When the team at 28°-50° contacted A & W Moore Wine Racks UK (Wine Racks UK) and explained their brand vision, Wine Racks UK had the perfect solution to help them. 28°-50° is taking the traditional wine bar experience to a whole new level with its curated wine list, delicious seasonal dishes, and its luxurious, bright, and airy venues.
About Wine Racks
Based in Derbyshire, the team at Wine Racks UK has over 40 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, and installing bespoke wine storage solutions. During this time, the family-run business has gained a reputation for quality products at affordable prices.
We help customers convert damp unusable cellars into beautiful climate-controlled state-of-the-art wine cellars that perfectly preserve wine or Champagne, and we help couples make the most of unused under-the-stairs spaces for wine storage. We’ve helped business owners from luxury hotels to beautiful countryside restaurants and Parisian wine bars.
Aside from designing the layout, Wine Racks UK advises on everything from cooling systems to lighting options, the type of materials to use (solid oak, solid pine or wood and metal) and storage solutions for different sized bottles. Specialist storage options can be created for wooden Bordeaux boxes to large format bottles, half size bottles and Brandy or Rum.
Please include your requirements and approximate dimensions to provide you with a quote.
Challenges and Objectives
The overall aim of the project was to elevate the existing 28°-50° wine bar venues by enhancing the wine rack storage and display spaces available. The company prides itself on offering far more than the traditional wine bar experience as it hosts Wine Tasting Experiences, Private Dining, and a range of menus from breakfast to lunch and more.
28°-50° offers guests a curated wine list that features 15 red and 15 white wines. The list changes regularly and is endorsed by the company, which guarantees its quality. There is also a Collector’s List, which features fine wines from private collectors who have agreed to let the company sell special and often rare bottles from their personal collections. These wines are rarely seen in restaurants.
It was imperative that the wine rack displays reflected the unique proposition offered by 28°-50°. A key challenge faced by 28°-50° was the tight timeframe. It was crucial the works did not disrupt the opening of the locations any longer than strictly necessary.
How Wine Racks UK Helped
The team at 28°-50° knew exactly what they wanted in terms of the size of the case racks, which expedited the planning stage. Wine Racks UK met the tight timeframes for each venue, which helped to keep the overall project on schedule. For instance, there were only two weeks to complete one of the projects, which the team did.
To streamline each project and ensure the key deadlines were met, the units were supplied unpainted, which saved time, as once the bar area had been fabricated, all the metal work was painted at the same time. Wine Racks UK provided customised case racking to enhance the display space available and the overall atmosphere.
Results
The project with 28°-50° was challenging because of the tight turnaround, but the team at Wine Racks UK met each deadline. The result is a sheek consistent look that accurately reflects the 28°-50° brand across multiple locations in London and France.
Wine Racks UK has provided bespoke metal racking and storage solutions to display special wine cases for Restaurant Le Lido in Tresserve, France, 28°-50° Wine Workshop & Kitchen (Chelsea), 28°-50° By Night (Wigmore Street), and 28°-50° Wine Workshop & Kitchen (South Kensington).
For example, the case racking showing the boxes suspended on the wall adds to the ambience of the venue and perfectly achieves the original goal of elevating the traditional wine bar experience at each venue.
What 28°-50° have to say…
Our wine racks are one of the key features of our brand. When our customers see our bespoke, unique wine racks, they immediately know they are in a 28°-50°. Thank you, Wine Racks UK, for your professional, reliable service.
WINE RACKS CUSTOMER
To transform your wine bar, contact the team at Wine Racks UK to find out how they can help.
Finding the perfect storage solution for your wine collection can be an intimidating job with so many aspects to deliberate and choices to decide between. To make this job a tiny bit easier for you, we have put together our first ultimate guide to choosing the best materials for wine racks. Carry on reading to find out what type of material will best suit your wine rack needs.
Wood
There are only a select few types of wood that are suitable to be used for a wine rack, the most popular types of wood being Redwood and Mahogany. These two kinds of wood are extremely resistant to rotting, decay and infestation. They also have no characteristic odour associated with them, which is extremely important when it comes to wine racks as you do not want the smell to start affecting the wine.
Oak is also a popular option for making wine racks, especially oak from reclaimed oak barrels. These can look extremely pleasing and sometimes even give off the smell of an old wine cellar. Oak is used for kit and custom racks but can be hard to work with as it is extremely dense.
Metal
If you intend to store your treasured wine bottles in a smaller area, such as a closet or in a cupboard or small kitchen, metal wine racks may be the best solution for you. Metal racks are typically thinner than those made from wood, which normally ends up saving you some space – making metal wine racks appealing for those with less room in their home. Compared to wooden racks, metal racks are usually easier to build – which can make moving furniture about the house quicker and easier. As well as this, metal wine racks are commonly used for their aesthetic features and fit in well with more contemporary styled rooms.
Plastic
A modern addition to your kitchen, living room or restaurant, plastic wine racks offer functionality and elegance. Plastic is a safer and cheaper substitute for purchasing glass, as well as being lighter to move and reposition. If you’re an avid wine drinker, a plastic wine rack is a great way to store your wine and show off your collection when your friends come over for those popular parties you are famous for hosting. Or you may even just want to display the latest promotional offers and deals on wines of the week in your corner shop – the design of plastic wine racks makes it super easy to change up displays without any hassle. Plastic wine racks come in a selection of sizes and shapes, storing up to six bottles of wine comfortably.
Despite being lightweight, plastic wine racks are incredibly durable and can withstand impact and weight easily without risking damage to the rack itself or the bottles. What’s more, plastic is easy to clean with just a wipe of a damp cloth, so any spillages can be removed efficiently without the need for chemical cleaners.
For those passionate about wine, finding a dedicated space for their collection by investing in high-quality wine racks, or better yet, entire wine cellars is essential. However, there is no point forking out on gorgeous wine storage without first deciding upon the best way to organise the bottles themselves.
How you choose to do so is entirely up to you and will certainly depend upon your collection size; but organising by type, grape variety, region and age are generally the most common ways to categorise.
Type
Organising wines by type is great for people with smaller collections and those who are not too picky regarding grape variety or pairings. Amateur collectors can’t go wrong when organising straightforwardly by reds, whites, roses, sparkling and dessert wines.
Grape Variety
The next step up is to arrange by grape variety, allowing collectors to organise more precisely. This ensures your Rieslings are not mixed in with your chardonnays, or your Shiraz bottles with your Sauvignons. Moreover, organising by variety makes food pairings easier and will ensure maximum efficiency when it comes to selecting your perfect bottle for any occasion.
Region
For many wine collectors, there is a tendency to sway towards certain preferred wine regions. If this is you, it might make more sense to organise your collection by grape location, allowing you to group together your favourite bottles based on the country or particular region of origin.
Age
For anyone serious about wine collecting, the age of your wines is a very important factor, particularly since many are supposed to be stored for years in order to reach their peak.
As such, you can also organise large collections based on ideal drinking dates, by keeping ready-to-drink bottles closer to the top, and the ones you do not wish to touch for quite some time at the bottom of the wine rack, or the harder-to-reach areas of the cellar.
This will ensure you are serving wine at their perfect peaks, preventing any undesirable premature openings!
Price
It is more than likely that you will have at least a couple of very expensive bottles within your collection, which you might be saving for a special occasion. We recommend storing your priciest bottles or most superior vintages at the bottom levels of your wine racks or cellar so that you do not find yourself drinking them on an impulse.
Nobody wants to spend a significant amount of time searching for the perfect bottle, particularly when you have guests to host, which is why organising your wine collection is vital for both efficiency and decorative purposes.
At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong way to categorise your bottles – it is simply about finding what works for you.
While they were previously considered a luxury interior feature for the mega-rich, bespoke wine cellars are now becoming increasingly popular among ordinary homeowners, particularly those who have a penchant for collecting many bottles over several years. We outline the top benefits of having a wine cellar fitted in your home.
Keeps wine unspoiled
Any wine connoisseur worth their title knows that there are very specific conditions in which wine should be stored to prevent it from going bad, which is why having a cellar fitted by a professional is highly beneficial.
An expert wine cellar fitter knows the optimal temperature and humidity controlled environment needed to properly store wine and will advise you to include cellar conditioners, whilst ensuring the materials used and product dimensions within the cellar are all fit for purpose.
While wine fridges or coolers may be used by those with a hobby who want to store a few bottles for drinking sooner rather than later, they are not ideal for storing wine long-term since they have been known to produce heat. Instead, serious wine collectors will want to have a wine cellar fitted, which is ideal for storing and preserving bottles for years to come.
Organisation
Built-in home wine cellars are a great way to organise your inventory in one place and means you are aware of exactly which wines you have acquired over time. This means you have easy and direct access to any given bottle and can plan when to drink them based on peak ageing and quality.
For those amongst us who are lucky enough to have a very large collection and a big wine cellar, there is also technology available to help with coordinating and categorising bottles, making life easier.
Adds value to your home
Having a home wine cellar will undoubtedly add extra value to your property, whether it be extending an existing area of the home, such as the basement, or planning a wine cellar for a new build. Any person serious about wine would be thrilled at the chance to live in a home with a built-in area for their passion, meaning someone could be willing to pay far more for your property with that extra feature.
Moreover, hiring an expert to fit a bespoke wine cellar means you are able to choose the materials and features you would like and which perfectly suits the style and interior of your home.
Increases your knowledge
Taking your wine collection seriously by having a cellar installed can only serve to enhance your knowledge and fascination with the world of wine. This may also affect your travel choices as you seek to visit international wine regions and local vineyards in order to update and add to your collection.
Moreover, wine cellars look seriously impressive and are a great way to show off both your cellar and your skillset to dinner guests. Why not even go one step further and think about installing a tasting table?
Lowers costs
People with ample room to store their prized wines normally find that they save money in the long run, by purchasing vintages when they are reasonably priced and keeping them stored in their cellar for future investment when they reach peak ageing. Having a bigger space also allows collectors to buy wine in bulk cases rather than in single bottles, also lowering purchase costs.
Get in touch with us on +44 (0)115 944 1434 for advice on wine cellars or discuss your needs.
