Category Archives: custom wine cellars

Repair of a Leaking Wine Cellar Cooling Unit in Orange County

To make sure that your prized collection of wines is kept safe and maturing tastefully, your wine cellar cooling unit must always be functioning optimally. Regular unit maintenance is a must so that you can always check for problems and have them fixed promptly. A recent repair completed by M&M Cellar Systems in Irvine, Orange County, California is an excellent example of why a regular maintenance plan for your refrigeration system is important.

Service Call from Irvine, Orange County to Repair an HS 4600 Cooling Unit

Cooling Unit with Leak in Orange County, California. Repair and Maintenance by M&M Cellar Systems

A client in Orange County, California recently called M&M Cellar Systems to report a leaking wine cellar cooling unit. The unit was an HS 4600 System manufactured by one of the company’s dealers, US Cellar Systems. The HS Series of refrigeration units are robust and reliable pieces of equipment. The HS 4600 unit is specifically designed to efficiently cool small wine storage spaces.

A team of HVAC professionals went to investigate the problem and found a leak in the unit’s refrigerant. Amidst the leak, the unit was aptly cooling the wine cellar but it would not continue doing so if the damage was not promptly repaired. The client was fortunate that the leak was discovered early and fixed immediately.

This case is one of the best examples of why it is important to have a regular maintenance plan for your wine cellar cooling system.

An Efficiently Functioning Cooling Unit is an Indispensable Part of an Effective Wine Storage System

Those who have been collecting wine for a long time know that wines should strictly be stored in ideal conditions. Without the necessary storage conditions, wine cannot age tastefully and can go bad easily.

What are the Ideal Wine Storage Conditions?

Wines require a cool environment in order to preserve their quality. An ideal wine storage space should be cooled around a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There should also be minimal to no fluctuations in the temperature. Gradual fluctuations, like those caused by the change in seasons, are not a big concern. The problem comes with rapid fluctuations, and if these happen daily or weekly, wines will age prematurely.

Humidity is also an important factor in wine storage. The ideal wine cellar is not too dry nor too damp. The humidity level inside your wine room should be around 70%. If the humidity is too low, corks can dry out and shrink. This will cause air to enter the bottle and ruin the wine. On the other hand, if the cellar is too humid, mold and mildew might form. These can contaminate your wines and alter their flavor.

Invest in an Ideal Residential Wine Cellar

A prudent wine collector invests in the construction of an effective home wine cellar to protect his or her wines. The essentials of a functional wine storage room should be complete. A durable wine cellar door should be built, reliable insulation and vapor barriers should be fittingly placed, lighting that produces minimal heat should be mounted, flooring should be correctly fixed, and of course, quality wine cooling system should be installed.

A residential custom wine cellar without a refrigeration unit is useless. No matter how the cellar is constructed, if no cooling unit is installed, it can never provide the ideal temperature and humidity that wines need.

HVAC Experts from M&M Cellar Systems Repair this Leaking Wine Cellar Refrigeration Unit in Orange County, California

Subscribe for a Regular Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Maintenance Plan

Constant fluctuations in the temperature and humidity inside your custom wine cellar must be avoided to keep your wine collection safe. This means that you need to make sure that your refrigeration system is consistently functioning properly.

There are many situations where homeowners won’t notice any overt damage in their wine cellar cooling system. Most of the time, concealed problems, like refrigerant leaks, won’t get noticed until the unit has started to function irregularly. By then, the damage can be too costly to repair.

Having a regular maintenance plan keeps you updated on the condition of your wine cellar refrigeration unit. Regular servicing provides the opportunity for early detection of any damage or leaks, and subsequently, prompt repair can be implemented. To protect your wine collection, you should avoid problems with your cooling system. It is highly recommended that you seek the help of a wine storage expert and subscribe to a regular maintenance plan for your cooling unit.

Contact M&M Cellar Systems for Regular Maintenance of Wine Cellar Refrigeration Units in Irvine, Orange County

M&M Cellar Systems is one of the leading wine cellar cooling systems construction companies in Irvine, Orange County, California. With years of experience in HVAC refrigeration, heating installation, and servicing, M&M Cellar Systems takes pride in consistent customer satisfaction.

They specialize in the design and installation of climate control systems for wine storage rooms. They manufacture refrigeration units for individual homeowners, commercial developers, and wine cellar builders.

M&M Cellar Systems also teams up with various wine cellar dealers to help them provide a complete wine storage solution to their clients. For more information about their products and services, call them today at (323)578-3330!

Elegant Combination of Wine Racks in a Manhattan Beach Los Angeles Wine Cabinet

Overview of the Manhattan Beach Los Angeles Wine Cabinet Project

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars, one of the most trusted wine cellar builders in California, recently completed a custom wine cabinet for a client in Manhattan Beach Los Angeles. The wine cabinet is located at the house’s dining area.

Manhattan Beach Los Angeles Wine Cabinet Design

The wine cellar features elegant wine racking styles, glass wine cellar doors, and a wine cellar climate control system. The dimensions of this wine cabinet include a width of 15 feet and height of 9 feet. The total storage capacity is 840 wine bottles.

Width: 15’

Height: 9’

Bottle Capacity: 840 wine bottles

The challenge with this project was the limited space of the wine room, particularly its depth. This could have caused difficulty in accessing the wine bottles at the left and right sides of the cabinet.

Custom Wine Cabinet – Manhattan Project by Coastal

To address this problem, the Coastal team added a pair of Barolo glass wine cellar doors. The doors filled the whole length (128 inches) of the openings, which made bottle access on both sides easier.

This custom wine cabinet project is part of a large renovation that the owners were working on. The conversation and planning with Coastal started last July 2014, and construction began last October. They completed the construction one week before Christmas.

Merging Different Wine Racking Styles

The main feature of this custom wine cabinet display and storage facility is the wine racking style. Different types of wine racks were put together to create an efficient, elegant, and maximized wine storage space.

The wine racks are made of Premium Redwood, one of the most in demand wood species in the wine racking industry. They were finished with a Chestnut wood stain, which enhances the natural beauty of Premium Redwood and blends well with the fixture in the dining room.

Striking Custom Wine Racks

A remarkable combination of wine racking styles were used to maximize the storage space and create an elegant look for the wine cabinet display. The wine racks used are:

Single bottle storage cubicles
Diamond bins
Wood case bins
Label forward horizontal displays
A high reveal display row with LED lighting
A display cabinet for 3L bottles

The Barolo Style Glass Wine Cellar Doors

The Barolo style glass wine cellar door is a dual-pane glass wine cellar entryway with Q-Lon weather stripping and a concealed door bottom. With these features, the room is kept tightly sealed, cool air is prevented from escaping, and more energy is conserved.

Barolo Glass Wine Cellar Doors

The Barolo glass wine cellar doors were finished with a Chestnut wood stain, which enhances the color of the wood. In between the two glass wine cellar doors is a fixed window, where a label forward wine cabinet display is visible. This part of the wine cabinet is intended for storing 3-liter wine bottles.

The Wine Cellar Climate Control System

The Manhattan Beach Los Angeles wine cabinet includes a wine cellar climate control system. The Coastal team installed a ductless split wine cellar cooling unit from Arctic Metalworks, one of the best wine cellar cooling unit providers in California.

It is important for any wine storage facility to have a wine cellar climate control system installed. It provides and maintains the ideal temperature and humidity needed to promote the proper aging of wines.

Coastal recommended the ductless split wine cellar cooling unit because of its versatility and efficiency. With this type of cooling unit, the condenser, which is the noisiest part of the cooling system, is installed away from the wine room. How can this be an advantage?

Wine Cellar Climate Control System

Wine aging can be affected by vibration. It is best to keep wines away from possible sources of noise, movement and vibration, to allow for the natural aging process of wine.

For this wine cellar, the condenser was installed in the garage, while the evaporator was installed inside the wine cabinet. A custom designed louvered grill was used to cover the evaporator unit, and to keep any mechanical parts out of sight. A line set with copper tubing and electrical wiring was used to connect the condenser and the evaporator.

If the condenser is installed outdoors, it is always recommended to cover it with exterior housing, to prevent damage by harmful environmental elements.

About the Wine Cellar Builder

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is a wine cellar expert with more than 10 years of experience. They offer services in California, New Jersey, Maryland, and the surrounding states.

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars also offers custom wine racks, wine cellar doors, wine cellar cooling units and wine cellar accessories, available for retail and/or installation.

Coastal provides design consultation services and 3D wine cellar design, all for free. If you have a wine cellar project at home or in a commercial setting, just contact Coastal Custom Wine Cellars.

Wine Cellar Cooling Systems Technical Update – LPQ Coil Changes

US Cellar Systems recently did some technical updates on the LPQ coil. This post is a brief explanation by Dan Phillips, the owner of US Cellar Systems, about the changes made on the LPQ coil.

Wine Cellar Cooling Systems Technical Update – LPQ Coil Changes

LPQ Coil Changes: The Aluminum Stub Tube

Hello, today we’re going to be talking about the LPQ coil. There’s been a few changes on it and we thought we should go over it because there’s been quite a few questions on it.

Aluminum Stub Tube – 1/2 inch Male Pipe Thread Coupling

One of the first changes you’ll notice is now instead of the aluminum stub tube coming at a 45 degree angle on the back, it now has half inch male pipe thread coupling coming straight down, so you can connect your PVC copper directly to the coil.

LPQ Coil Changes – The Wiring of the Fan Motors

The next thing we’re going to go over is on the inside – the wiring of the fan motors that are now being used. The fan motor is a multi-speed motor but we only use it on the medium speed, which is 900 RPM.

Fan Motor Wiring Changes

When you’re doing the wiring, you’ll note that there are 3 wires for the fan motor – a red, a black, and a white. And you have 2 wires for the Solenoid Valve, which are both blue. When you connect the wiring, ignore the red wire. You want to connect one blue to the black wire, which if you’re using our wire harness, will then connect to the red wire coming from the controller to the black and blue. The other blue wire will go with your white wire, and that will be connected to your neutrals. And that finishes the wiring for the fan motor. As I’ve said before, just ignore the red wire. It’s not used.

Wine Cellars and Wine Cellar Lighting in Los Angeles, California

A wine collection deserves an effective wine storage solution. Wine cellars, which are the ideal wine storage solutions in Los Angeles, California, are one of the most beautiful places to store wines. One of the elements that contributes to the aesthetics of a wine cellar is the type of wine cellar lighting fixtures installed. Learn more about wine cellars and their lighting fixtures in this article.

Wine Collections in California Should be Kept in an Aesthetically Pleasing Wine Cellar

There are many people who are starting their own wine collection in Los Angeles, California. Wine is a good investment, because its value increases overtime. Wines, generally, taste better when allowed to age properly. But genuine wine lovers know that the art of wine collecting is not just about drinking wine. It’s also about keeping your beloved collection in a place where it is safe and secure. This is why you need a durable wine storage solution in Los Angeles, CA. Moreover, it is also about having the opportunity to show off and be proud of your collection to your friends. To gracefully flaunt your wine collection, the place you store it should be beautiful and worth showing off as well. A well-designed custom wine cellar in California are the best option for you.

Wine cellars in California come in various designs, that range from traditional to modern and contemporary. Regardless of the design that you prefer, one of elements that largely contributes to the overall appeal of your wine storage room is the wine cellar lighting.

Wine Cellar Lighting Fixtures that Make a Wine Storage Room Beautiful

The Importance of Wine Cellar Lighting Elements to a Wine Cellar’s Design

When deciding on the design of your custom wine cellar in California, you also need to consider the type of wine cellar lighting systems to use. Regardless of whether your wine cellar in California is for residential or commercial purposes, the type of wine cellar lighting you install is one of the most important aspects of the storage room’s design. Whatever cellar lighting options you choose can either hinder or help achieve the desired design you intend to create when you have a wine cellar constructed.

Ideally, the lighting in your custom wine cellar in CA should exude as little heat as possible, while still adequately lighting the storage space. It is imperative that you carefully select your wine cellar lighting options during the process of designing and constructing your custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, California. The wrong lighting can not only decrease the aesthetic appeal of your custom wine cellar, but could damage your wine collection as well.

Beautiful Wine Cellar Lighting in Los Angeles, California

What Kind of Wine Cellar Lighting System Should Be Installed in a Wine Storage System?

Wine cellar equipment includes various kinds of wine cellar accessories, that altogether create a unique look for your custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, CA. There are many types of wine cellar lighting fixtures to choose from in California, such as wall sconces, track lighting systems, chandeliers, and etc. If you want to add a dramatic flair to your wine cellar, you can have a recessed halogen lighting system with a frosted, tempered glass lens installed. It is recommended to use a system with a 12V/12W bulb and a polished aluminum reflector.

It is imperative that you monitor the amount of heat that your wine cellar lighting is exuding in your wine storage room, because too much heat can cause a temperature imbalance in your wine cellar. Also, too much heat can affect the quality of the wines in your collection. Too much light produces too much heat, which is the worst enemy of wine.

Effective Wine Cellar Lighting in California

There is a reason wine bottles are generally dark tinted. Wines are easily damaged when exposed to UV light. Moreover, if the temperature inside a custom wine cellar becomes hotter, wines will mature prematurely. Prematurely aged wines taste bad. This is also the reason it is recommended to make sure that your residential custom wine cellar in Los Angeles is built in a place away from sources of heat.

It is imperative that you consult a wine cellar design professional before you start with the wine cellar construction project. Check what wine cellar lighting fixtures you should use for your wine cellar. You want to make sure that there is ample light in your wine storage solution in California, for you to read wine labels and move around, but not so much that it creates heat that can damage your wines.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting systems are the ideal types of lighting fixtures for residential and commercial custom wine cellars in California. These kinds of wine cellar lighting emit minimal heat, unlike florescent lighting systems. Moreover, they consume minimal electricity, which helps save more in the long run.

Professional Wine Cellar Design and Construction Company in Los Angeles, California

To make sure that you choose the right wine cellar lighting fixtures for your custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, California, you need to consult with a professional wine cellar designer. Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is one of the most trusted wine cellar design and construction companies in California.

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is a leading wine storage company in California, that is known for building effective wine storage solutions for businesses, residences, and wine cellar dealers. Their wine cellars come in various designs and styles, and are all built from quality products.

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars provides free initial consultation, as well as free 3D drawings of your intended wine cellar design. Their team of wine cellar design professionals is willing to work with you until the completion of your wine storage solution project. It is their objective to consistently meet the satisfaction of their clients.

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is also partners with many other wine storage companies, like wine cellar refrigeration units manufacturers, to create effective wine storage solutions for wine collectors in Los Angeles, California. For more information about Coastal, and their products and services, contact them today at +1 (888) 735-8889!

Wine Cellar Temperature – An Essential Factor to Wine Storage

A lot of people in Orange County, California are getting into the hobby of collecting wine.Wine needs to be stored in a custom wine cellar in Orange County, California, that can provide the ideal temperature for it to mature tastefully. Learn about how the temperature inside a residential custom wine cellar affects wine.

The Relationship Between Wine and Wine Cellar Temperature

Ideal wine storage solution – Wine Cellar

When people talk about wine storage, the first thing that comes into their mind is temperature. It’s safe to assume that everyone knows that wines need to be cold to be properly enjoyed. Aside from a cool serving temperature, wines also need to be kept in a cool storage temperature. In fact, temperature is the most important factor in the storage and aging of wine. This is why your wine collection should be kept in a residential custom wine cellar in Orange County, California.

Heat is the worst enemy of wine. In fact, this is the reason wine bottles are generally dark tinted: to protect wine from exposure to UV light, which is a source of heat. UV light damages wine by causing the degradation of its stable organic compounds. These organic compounds are responsible for the aroma, flavor, and structure of wine. It is imperative that wines be kept in a wine storage room that has a cool temperature (of 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit) with minimal to no fluctuations. To make sure that your wine cellar is able to meet your wine collection’s needs, you need to have an efficient wine cellar cooling unit installed.

Although 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal range widely accepted for wine storage, many wine experts still disagree on what the ideal range really is. 55 degrees Celsius the widely acceptable temperature level, because it makes historical sense to most people. In the past, wine storage in Europe was practiced in caves, where the natural underground temperature was around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the “ideal” level is actually there due to regional custom and not necessarily scientific study.

What Happens When Wine is Stored in a Temperature Outside the Ideal Range

Wines in a Wine Cellar in Orange County, California

If your wine cellar is not capable of keeping your wine collection in a stable temperature suitable for aging wines, your wines are in danger. The following are the things that happen when your wines are stored outside the ideal temperature range:

Wine Ages Prematurely as Temperature Increases

If you store wine in a temperature higher than the ideal range, it will age faster than it should. Wine aging is a process that should happen gradually, because speeding it up will cause the wine to taste like vinegar. If your wines are stored at 91 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, they will age 50 times faster than if they were stored at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Undesirable Chemical Reactions will Take Place

Wine that ages prematurely is bad as it is, but the problem does not end there. Another concern is that higher temperatures will result in undesirable chemical reactions taking place. Speeding up the maturation of wines will cause a bad effect on the bouquet of a wine as it ages. Keeping wines in very high temperatures for even relatively short periods of time can lead to nasty chemical reactions that produce foul odors and tastes.

What are the Indicators of a Heat Damaged Wine?

How can you tell if the wine in your residential custom wine cellar is damaged by heat? Here are two of the things that you should look for:

Check the Color of the Wine

You will know heat damaged wine from regular wine because of the color. In fact, color is the most important indicator of a heat damaged wine. Even without tasting the wine, you will know if it has gone bad. Premature browning of wine can be an indicator of oxidation due to heating. A brick edge in a young red wine is a telltale sign that oxidation has occurred due to excessive heat.

Taste the Wine

An altered flavor is an obvious indication of a heat damaged wine. Since Sherry is an oxidized wine, you can tell that your wine is heat damaged if it has a sherry-like taste.

The Ideal Storage Solution in Orange County, California – Residential Custom Wine Cellar

Construction of a Wine Cellar in California

A genuine wine enthusiast knows how important it is to invest in an effective wine storage solution in Orange County, California. If you truly love your wine collection, you want to make sure that you keep it in a place where it is provided with the ideal wine storage temperature, as well as other wine storage requirements. Among the various kinds of wine storage solutions in Orange County, CA, a wine cellar is the most ideal.

It is always better to have your wine cellar constructed in your own house. A residential wine cellar provides the convenience of accessing your favorite wine any time you want.

Having a custom designed wine cellar is also recommended. Your wine cellar is the place where you will store your beloved wine collection. Therefore, if you want to show off your wine collection to your guests and friends, you will have to show them your wine storage room, too. You’ll want to make sure that your wine cellar is designed to represent your style. Custom wine cellars are designed according to how your want them to look. Moreover, with custom wine cellars, you can make sure that the design of your wine storage room compliments the existing décor in your home.

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars – Trusted Wine Cellar Designer in Orange County, California

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is a well known wine cellar design and construction company in California. They are reputable for creating beautiful wine cellar designs, that range from simple to extravagant. Moreover, all of their wine storage solutions are effective in providing wines with the ideal storage conditions. Coastal is known for consistently meeting their client’s satisfaction.

Have your dream residential custom wine cellar designed by Coastal Custom Wine Cellars today! For more information about Coastal and their products and services, contact them today at +1 (888) 735-8889!

Identifying Wines That Can Be Stored in a Custom Wine Cellar in Los Angeles, California

A lot of people think that all wines taste better when allowed to age. The fact is, some wines can be enjoyed immediately after purchase, while others should be allowed to mature for some time first. Wines that need to be allowed to age should be kept in a home wine cellar in Los Angeles, California. Learn how to determine whether a certain wine should be cellared or not.

The Purpose of Storing Wines in a Residential Custom Wine Cellar in CA

Various Wines in a Wine Cellar in California

When people think of wine, they often think of a wine cellar or some storage room to keep them in. Why should wines be stored in a home wine cellar in Los Angeles, California? If you ask around, the common reasons wine enthusiasts cellar wine include:

Starting a wine collection to earn money,since the value of wine increases over time.
Having a keen interest in a particular wine region or vintage and wanting to stock up.
A personal preference for old wine, and wanting to have some to enjoy from time to time.

If you look at these three reasons, there is a common denominator for cellaring wine. The primary purpose of a wine cellar is to provide a safe place for wines to be stored and aged. But not all wines need to be cellared; some wines can be enjoyed immediately after purchase.

4 Characteristics of Wines That Taste Better When Allowed to Age

Which Wines Should be Kept in a Wine Cellar for Long Term Wine Storage?

If you intend to have a residential custom wine cellar, you must know which wines should be allowed to age before drinking, and which wines should not be cellared. Determining whether a wine will age well or not is not an exact science. But generally, wines that age well have 4 characteristics in common. Learn these characteristics, to judge which wines you should keep in your residential custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, CA.

Check for Acidity.

Wines that taste better when allowed to age are usually more acidic. As wine is allowed to mature, it slowly loses its acid and flattens out. Wines that are not very acidic will not taste good if allowed to age. Check the label of a wine that you intend to buy, to find out whether it is good to keep in a home custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, California or not.

Check for Tannin Content.

Tannins come from the pips and skins of grapes that were used during wine making. They can also come from oak aging. Many wine experts have observed that wines with higher levels of tannins tend to mature better than wines with lesser tannin content. Tannins break down over time, and therefore wines with higher tannin content taste better when allowed to age. If a certain wine does not have enough tannin to begin with, its flavor will not improve over time.

Check for Alcohol Level.

Alcohol is volatile in non-fortified wines. High levels of alcohol in wine cause it to turn to vinegar more quickly. Generally, the lower the level of alcohol in a certain type of wine, the longer the wine will last, and the better it will taste as it ages.

Check for Residual Sugar.

A lot of people overlook the sugar content of wines, because these days, aging dry wines is becoming more popular. But according to many wine experts, wines that are sweet, like Port, Sherry, Sauternes and Riesling, are better tasting when allowed to age.

Other Issues That Affect the Aging of Wine

Yes, it is important to determine which wines taste better when allowed to age in a residential custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, California. But besides the wine itself being the right wine to age, there are other things that affect how long a wine should age for (if at all). One of those things is the wine cork.

Wine Corks Affect How Wines Age

The quality of wine corks used in a wine bottle can affect how a wine ages. Even if a wine has all of the characteristics that can make it mature tastefully, if the cork used in its bottling is of poor quality, the wine will still not taste good when allowed to age in a wine cellar. Here are a few things about wine corks that you should know:

Where Wine Corks Come From.

Wine corks are made from the bark of the cork tree. The tree is not cut down. Also, only up to half of the tree’s bark is removed at any one time. After highly skilled people remove the bark, it is allowed to grow back. Corks, therefore, are a more eco-friendly option to sealing wine bottles compared to plastic bottle stoppers.

The Sustainability of Corks.

Aside from cork, there are different kinds of materials used for wine bottle stoppers, like plastic and aluminum. Plastic is not biodegradable, while aluminum takes a lot of energy to manufacture. Although cork is not a perfect product, it has been proven to stand very well against synthetic closures, in terms of sustainability and environmental impact.

Top Wine Cellar Designer and Builder in Los Angeles, California

Wine Cellars Built in California

If you plan to start your own wine collection of wines that will taste better when allowed to age, you must have a residential custom wine cellar built in your own home. There are many wine cellar construction companies in California. Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is one of the most reliable wine cellar designers and builders in Los Angeles, California.

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars designs and builds wine storage solutions in Los Angeles, CA, both for residential and commercial purposes. They have also partnered with the best in the industry, like US Cellar Systems, to create effective wine storage solutions. Their services include free initial design consultation, with free 3D drawings of your dream residential custom wine cellar. Their wine cellar experts are always willing to work with their clients, from the planning stage of the wine cellar construction, up to its completion. For more information about Coastal Custom Wine Cellars, and their products and services, contact them today at +1 (888) 735-8889!

Myths about Wines – Things a Wine Enthusiast Should Know

Wines are very enjoyable beverages. They are great for special occasions and celebrations, as well as every day enjoyment. If you love wine, you have probably heard a lot of myths about it. Learn a few of the most popular myths about wines, and which are true (or not true).

Understanding Your Wine Collection More – Knowing Myths from Facts

Identify the Myths About Wines!

More and more people in Los Angeles, California are investing in their very own residential custom wine cellars, and starting wine collections. In order to enjoy wine more, a wine collector should have an adequate understanding of wines. Along with that, they should identify the myths about wine. Here are a few of the most popular myths about wine:

1. Eliminate the Sulfites in Wine

There are many discussions online about the dangers of sulfites to our health. Recent studies show that sulfites are actually almost totally benign, but most people are still unwilling to accept that fact, and they insist on eliminating sulfites from wine. The reality is that all fermented products contain sulfites. Sulfites are a by-product of yeast metabolism. Even if a certain wine is made with unsulfured grapes, and no sulfite is added during the fermentation, said wine will still contain sulfites. Therefore, the only solution is to stop drinking wine.

2. Homemade Wine is All Bad and Can Make You Blind

This is actually a very common misconception about wine. The reality is that no matter what it tastes or looks like, wine fermented in food-grade containers will always be safer to drink than tap water. Wine has a low pH level and high alcohol content, which makes it uninhabitable for disease-causing organisms. There was even a time in human history when the only tool in a physician’s cabinet was a wine bottle. Wine, before the medical revolution of the 20th century, was used as an antiseptic for wounds, a pain killer for injuries, and a surcease for troubled minds.

There is no basis to the belief that homemade wine as sour or of inferior quality. Of course, there will always be times when a consumer-produced wine is poorly made and improperly fermented. But having an experience with a bad tasting homemade wine should not cause one to generalize all homemade wines as bad.

3. Rack Wines Early and Rack Them Often

Racking is the process of separating wine from its sediments, thus leaving it clear. A few wine experts recommend wine makers rack their wine immediately, to get rid of any visible sediment and thereby avoid H2S contamination. A common mistake that beginner wine collectors commit is fiddling with their wine too often. Even once wines have adjusted, finished fermenting, and are fully stable, they should be allowed to rest undisturbed in a durable wine racking system.

4. All Wines Improve with Age

Although it is true that many wines should be allowed to age in a home custom wine cellar before they are consumed, there are exceptions. There are a number of wines that are intended for immediate consumption. Different wines have different aging recommendations. For example, a light, delicate white wine like Trebbiano will fully develop it flavor aroma if allowed to age from 6 months to 1 year. But there are also certain wines that need to age for a decade or more to reach their peak quality. Get to know the wine you purchase before deciding whether to consume it immediately or to allow it to age first. If you do allow it to age, check how long it should be left in the residential wine cellar in Los Angeles, California.

5. White Wines are Best Served Cold, While Red Wines Should be Served at Room Temperature

Although you may drink wine at any temperature you want, traditional ideas on what temperatures certain wines should be served at require a little interpretation. Wines should not be served too cold, because, besides your palate being numbed by the cold, the flavors will also be repressed. On the other hand, if wine is served too warm, the tannins can become over-soft, and the alcohol unpleasantly dominant. The ideal serving temperature for white wines is between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, while most red wines should be served at a temperature between 62 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Champagne, on the other hand, should be served icy cold, to achieve the maximum nose-tickling pleasure. Light and fruity red wines like Dolcetto and Beaujolais Nouveau should be lightly chilled, to enhance their fruity character.

6. Any Type of Wine Cellar Refrigeration Unit Will Do

Another myth that many beginner wine collectors believe is that they can have any type of wine cellar refrigeration system installed in their wine storage room. The fact is, different wine cellars have different storage requirements, and thus, will need a wine cellar cooling unit that can meet those specific requirements. A wine cellar’s storage requirements depends on how big the storage room is, how many wines are stored in it, the climate outside the wine cellar, etc. Have an HVAC professional determine the appropriate wine cellar cooling system for your wine storage space.

7. A Wine Cellar is Not Very Important

If you are not willing to invest in an effective wine storage solution, you shouldn’t start a wine collection. A wine storage solution is essential, because without one, your wines will go bad. The most ideal wine storage solution is a wine cellar built in your own home. A residential wine cellar, designed and constructed by a professional wine cellar builder, can provide your wines with the ideal temperature and humidity that they require.

Different Kinds of Wine Storage Solutions in California

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars is one of the leading wine cellar builders in Los Angeles, California. They offer free consultations for their clients as well as free 3D drawings of their desired custom wine cellar design. Coastal builds wine storage solutions both for commercial and residential purposes, and they work alongside their clients from the design phase of the wine cellar construction project until its completion. For more information about Coastal and their products and services, call them today at (888) 735-8889!

Custom Wine Cellar Accessories: Wine Bottle Openers

Custom Wine Cellars by Coastal

Custom wine cellars are the ideal storage places for any kind of wine. Residential custom wine cellars in Los Angeles, California, can effectively provide the environment that wines need to age properly when they are properly designed and constructed.

Residential custom wine cellars are functional when their essential parts are complete, such as the wine racking, the wine cellar door, the wine cellar cooling unit, and the wine cellar flooring. But besides these essential parts of a wine storage room, a wine collector can benefit from having other wine cellar accessories, too.

One of the most useful wine accessories that every home custom wine cellar in Los Angeles, California should have is a wine bottle opener. Learn all about the wine cellar accessory by reading through this article!

Why do you need a Wine Bottle Opener?

Although a lot of the wines in California come with a screw cap seal, there are still many that come with the traditional wine seal: a cork. Wine bottles that are sealed with cork are beautiful. There is something romantic and elegant about the process of popping a cork before you enjoy a good bottle of wine. Popping a wine cork in a celebration makes the gathering a little bit more festive. But there is also nothing more awkward than struggling to dislodge the wine cork from the bottle’s opening. This is why wine bottle openers are necessary. All wine collectors should have a good wine bottle opener around. Make sure that your custom wine cellar has this essential wine cellar accessory.

Various Types of Wine Bottle Openers in California

There are various types of wine bottle openers in Los Angeles, California. Some are inexpensive, while others can be very pricy. There are types that are traditional in style, while there are also those of the cutting edge variety. Here are the popular types of wine bottle openers in California:

1. T Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener

The most popular type of wine bottle opener on the market is the T corkscrew. This is the original wine corkscrew. Many residential wine cellar owners prefer this type of wine bottle opener over others because of the simplicity of its design.

To use the T corkscrew, you simply plunge the worm helix into the wine cork, turn in a clockwise, motion and pull it out. You have to make sure that the worm helix is properly inserted into the center of the cork, so that you can pull it out efficiently. Otherwise, you’ll get pieces of broken cork in your wine.

2. Lever Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener

Another popular type of wine bottle opener is the level corkscrew. By its name, this type of wine bottle opener is made up of a lever that is placed on either side of a mechanical corkscrew.

To use this wine bottle opener, you simply push the screw into the cork and then push the levers down gradually until the cork is eased out. Compared to the T corkscrew, this is a lot easier to use. Just make sure that both levels are held down, so that the cork is pulled out evenly.

3. Ah-So Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener

Another great option for a wine bottle opener is the Ah-So corkscrew. This type of wine bottle opener is a little bit more complicated than the T corkscrew and the level corkscrew. Although it is called a corkscrew, it does not really have an actual metal screw. Instead, it has two prongs, one of which is longer than the other.

To use the Ah-So corkscrew, slowly insert the longer prong in the space between the cork and the wine bottle. Once it’s in place, insert the shorter prong. After you have the two prongs in, gently slide them down until the Ah-So’s handle touches the tip of the wine bottle. Then, with delicate twisting motion, ease out the cork gradually.

4. Waiter’s Friend Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener

The next type of wine bottle opener is great for those who own a restaurant. Commercial custom wine cellars need to have a waiter’s friend corkscrew. This type of wine bottle opener is very durable and is easy to use.

When using the waiter’s friend corkscrew, you first need to cut the foil capsule under the cork’s rim using a knife or a foil cutter. Once you have exposed the top of the cork, place the waiter’s friend corkscrew’s center in the middle of the cork. Twist and turn the bottle opener all the way down into the cork until the longest lever is touches the lip of the wine bottle. Then, wiggle the cork using the lever, and pull the cork straight out.

5. Electric Wine Bottle Opener

Among all types of wine bottle openers on the market, the electric bottle opener is the easiest to use. Whether you have a residential custom wine cellar or a commercial custom wine cellar, this wine cellar accessory is something that you must have.

Electric wine bottle openers on the market have a one-touch contraption that can open any wine bottle within seconds. You simply need to place the wine bottle opener on top of the cork and push the button so that it buries into the cork. While you hold the bottle with one hand, pull the cork out with the other. Release the cork from the opener by pushing the button in the opposite direction.

Custom Wine Cellars in Los Angeles, California

Coastal – Wine Cellar Designer in California

Having a wine bottle opener and other wine cellar accessories can help make your wine experience more convenient.

If you are planning to have a custom wine cellar built in Los Angeles, CA, you need to have a wine cellar design expert help you create an effective one. Coastal Custom Wine Cellars takes pride in quality products and services, to meet your wine storage needs. For more information about Coastal Custom Wine Cellars, contact them today at (888) 735-8889.

Residential Wine Cellar Under the Stairway Closet California Installation

Residential Wine Cellar Under Stairway Closet California Installation – A Processed Video Transcription

Hello and thank you for visiting Coastal Custom Wine Cellars!

I’m going to take you on a tour of a small wine cellar conversion project that we recently completed in Southern California, and then we’ll take a look at the design package for this particular residential wine cellar California project as well. This is a closet that was situated underneath the stairway.

Residential Wine Cellar Under Stairway Closet California Installation .

As you enter, it is certainly tall enough to walk into and maneuver for about 4 feet and then it rapidly descended to about a 5 feet height and took a right under 3 feet. It is limited in size because the back wall here is an exterior wall and made refrigeration method quite easy to select and to install.

Residential Wine Cellar Design – The Drawings

Let’s take a look at the drawings and then we’ll come back to some of the completed pictures of the residential wine cellar. This is an overhead view of the wine room.

The entry is up here on the top left and the walls are labeled A, B, C, and D, all the perimeter dimensions are posted, and on the top right of every page, in this particular page, you get the total capacity of 404 bottles. There’s not a lot of room to enter the area.

Wine Cellar Drawing Overhead View

So, this Elevation A we utilized a 6″ deep component that will lay the bottles sideways. We’ll take a look at that in a moment, but they’re label forward horizontal displays inverses a 13 1/2″ deep rack, which certainly allowed for more room to maneuver in the wine room and certainly didn’t impede the entry.

Elevation A was label forward horizontal displays. They stair step down to allow for the change in height of the ceiling because of the stair. The side elevations show the depths of the wine rack and we’ve got the height at its highest point.

Elevation B is the back wall across from the entry. It’s the exterior wall I mentioned and we’ve got a series of X-bins for bulk storage below, a little bit of single bottle storage above that before we hit a display row.

Wine Display Area

This is called a high reveal display row and as you’ll see here from the side view it’s pitched to the 15 degree angle so the liquid stays in contact with the cork. We’ve got a beautiful way to display the wines, lending some character to the area.

High Reveal Display Row

It’s a good management tool because you can place like wines above and below the display row. Nestled back deep in the wine cellar is the end wall.

We actually placed a wine cellar cooling unit. The reason this is a bit shorter than the other racks is because we placed the wine cellar cooling unit right above here, which we’ll see in some of the photographs.

Wine Racks Design Specifications

This small rack made a transition from the back wall to the right side wall and then as we come back towards the entry, we’ve got some bin storage, open bins for bulk and some more single bottle storage.

These are 3D visuals of the area, as you can see the entry and how it kind of made that L-shaped back to the rear portion here. It turned out nice. I think you’ll agree when you take a look at some of these photos.

3D Design – Residential Wine Cellar California

This wine cellar was created in a Philippine mahogany and we put what’s called a Chappo stain on it with a clear lacquer finish to give it a little bit of a luster. This is the entry, obviously after.

Wine Cellar Art Painting by Janina Pazdan

Wine Cellar Art Painting on the Wall and Ceiling

We had an artist come in and do some faux painting. The theme of this wine cellar art by Janina Pazdan is a grapevine.

If you live in Southern California, specifically Los Angeles and Orange County, we could make her services available to you as well. You see a little bit of that faux wine cellar art painting here on the slope ceiling, that’s the left side as you enter. The back wall with the X cubes.

Oak Wine Barrel Flooring

Oak Wine Barrel Flooring

We also utilized oak barrel series flooring. These are random links of tongue and groove style boards. They actually have some stampings or brandings from the cooperage on the top of the barrel.

These are the display row. Isn’t that beautiful? LED lighting, by the way, is on a separate switch with a dimmer so we can control the mood.

Here’s a little close up picture of some of the cooperage flooring, and our base molding. A close up of our LED lights. We had a little patching to do here, but that was remedied.

Split Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

WhisperKOOL Split Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

This is a WhisperKOOL Platinum mini split wine cellar cooling unit and it easily keeps the room at 55 to 57 degrees, minimal noise. As a matter of fact, I don’t think you would hear the noise anywhere but inside the wine cellar. You won’t hear it outside the residential wine cellar.

That’s me after a couple of glasses of wine. Cheers!

Wine Cellar Conversion – Before and After Photos

Completed Residential Wine Cellar California

Creating Unique Wine Cellar Designs with Wine Racks

When you invest in wine collecting, the right environmental conditions essential for wines to age gracefully must be taken into consideration. Proper wine storage plays a very important role in ensuring that your fine wines will keep their desirable characteristics until they are opened and poured into the wine glass.

For most wine collectors, not only should the ideal environment be taken into account when planning to build a wine cellar, but the overall look and appeal as well. A wine cellar is a great addition to one’s home. It can either break or enhance the ambiance of the space where it is built.

Aesthetic appeal and wine storage conditions are both important factors to prioritize and discuss with your wine cellar builder. When these factors are considered, a great wine cellar design can be created and brought to life for both the owner and his guests’ enjoyment.

After reading this blog, you will understand how to begin the wine cellar design process and determine the wine rack styles for your needs.

Useful Questions to Answer Before Starting the Wine Cellar Design Phase

Coastal Custom Wine Cellars 3D Wine Cellar Design

The basic things that must be assessed when designing a wine cellar are the location and dimensions of the room. Answering the specific questions below and discussing them with your chosen wine cellar designer and installer will greatly help to make the process easier and the result more desirable.

Do you want to focus on function, beauty, or both?
How frequently and for how long do you intend to spend time in your wine cellar?
Do you plan to entertain friends or host wine tasting parties in your wine cellar?
Do you want your wine cellar to complement the existing décor of your home?
How many bottles do you plan to store? How many are intended for short-term, and how many are intended for long-term storage? How often do you plan to pull out a bottle from the wine rack?
What are the types of wines are you planning to collect? Are there large-format bottles?
Do you want a traditional or contemporary wine cellar?
What wood material do you want to use for your wine racks, wine cellar door, and wine cellar flooring?
Do you want your wine racking to be fully-customized?
Do you want eco-friendly features in your wine cellar?
What type of wine cellar refrigeration system do you want to use to cool your wine room? Do you want it to be seen or hidden from your view?
What ambiance do you want your wine cellar to provide?
Are you going to use an inventory system for easy retrieval of your wine?

Now let’s discuss the different wine rack styles that you can choose from to have a uniquely-built wine cellar.

Wine Rack Styles and Designs

Wine enthusiasts have different preferences of how they want their collection to be displayed. Some want their wine racking to be exclusively semi or fully customized, while others may want to use a combination of both. When choosing your wine racks, consider the number, type, and size of wine bottles you want to store in them.

Semi-Custom Wine Racks or Wine Rack Kits

Semi-custom wine racks are also known as wine rack kits. They are pre-built and can be stacked to maximize the space of your wine room. Wine Cellars by Coastal, a wine cellar expert in California, offers a wide range of wine rack kits to meet different wine storage needs. Check out some examples of their wine rack kits.

6-Column Display Wine Rack

Coastal’s 6-column display wood wine rack that accommodates 102 750ml bottles. This single bottle-storage rack has a high-reveal display shelf that allows the collector to feature his favorite vintages with labels facing up.

You’ll notice that the display shelf is pitched at a 15-degree angle. The purpose of this is to keep wine in contact with the cork. Keeping the cork moist will prevent it from losing its original shape, ensuring that wine will not be ruined by oxidation. A top shelf can be added for additional storage space and to complete its look.

6-Column Magnum and Champagne Wine Rack

If you have large-format bottles (magnum and champagne bottles) in your collection, the 6′ two-column magnum and champagne wine rack is ideal for you. It has 4 1/2 inches square cubicles and can be combined with other wine rack series from Coastal.

6-Column Diamond Bin Storage

The diamond bin storage wine rack, which is 6’ in height, stores bottles in bulk. It displays bottles on top of each other. Because of this, maximum air flow between bottles is achieved. This wine rack also adds a stylish touch to a wine cellar.

Wooden Wine Rack Archway

The wooden wine rack archway provides a place for decanting wine. The back, which is open to the wall, allows you to add a mural or any special decorative feature that you want on the backsplash. Your own design can be incorporated into the wall art mural. With this option, your wine racking will be unique and a reflection of your personality.

Coastal’s wine rack kits are made of premium redwood, mahogany, and pine and are handcrafted using horizontal dado spacer bars. They are also constructed with 3 ¾” bottle cubicles and a 1 ½” toe-kick base to elevate them a bit from the floor.

Custom Wine Racks

Since custom wine racks are designed and built according your specific needs, the result will be a distinctive storage place. Any room, regardless of shape and size, can be converted into an impressive wine cellar.

Wine rack openings can be customized to fit various bottle sizes. You can choose your preferred wood and stain options, too.

Wood, metal, or a combination of these materials can be utilized to achieve the desired look that you want for your wine cellar. You may opt for eco-friendly features such as wine barrel carvings, wine barrel or nautical timber flooring, and oak barrel tabletops.

Because of the demand in unique wine cellars, many owners of wine cellars in California choose custom wine racks. Others, however, prefer a combination of both pre-made and custom-made wine racks.

Below are examples of residential custom wine storage spaces uniquely designed and built by Coastal’s creative and skillful team.

Wine Cellar Dana Point, California – Different Custom Wine Rack Styles

Alisa Viejo California Residential Wine Cellar

Aliso Viejo, California Residential Custom Wine Cellar

Coto de Caza, Orange County California Custom Project with Oak Barrel Flooring

Custom Wine Cellar in Laguna Hills, Orange County CA

Newport Coast Beach, California Home Wine Cellar

A good wine cellar design consists of the right wine racking system. This will protect your collection and display your wines attractively. So before engaging in a wine cellar project, consider your goals, personal style, and budget. Make sure that you choose a trusted wine cellar builder such as Wine Cellars by Coastal.

Wine Cellars by Coastal