Should a Wine Cellar ALWAYS need to have a Refrigeration System?

While not all residential custom wine cellars have cooling units installed, we usually recommend them.

While often referred to as cooling units or systems, technically they are climate controlled wine cellar refrigeration systems.

Our recommendation is particularly the case for wine collectors who intend to store their wines over an extended period and to properly “age” their wines.

Generally, it is the natural day night and seasonal fluctuations that does the most damage to wines. This fluctuation is usually more significant than most people realize. A swing of just 10 degrees from day to night, regularly over the course of months or even years can wreak havoc on prized vintage and collector wines.

As well as the refrigeration unit’s mechanical components, the correct insulation should also be considered part of the wine cellar’s cooling system.

Without the right insulation, the wine cellar can experience heating and cooling due to external temperature changes or leakage. This can also cause excessive running of the refrigeration unit to compensate. This excessive running of the system, as well as being inefficient can also lead to premature or unnecessary mechanical failures.

It’s relatively simple but also vital therefore to install right insulation in a wine cellar. See below minimums recommended for custom wine cellar construction.

Wine Cellar Insulation is a critical Component of your Wine Cellar’s Cooling System!