Desperately need a wine cellar

[manning]

OK, my collection is growing substantially, and the recent spate of 46 deg days (46C - that's 114F to our US colleagues) has convinced me that cellaring under the house is no longer a viable wine cellar option. Hence all purchasing has cessated until I do something about cellarage.

The house sits on solid bedrock, so an in-ground cellar is not an option. There is no spare room within the house to create a cellar either, and the garages are already overflowing.

This means an outdoor structure of some variety that will be fully exposed to direct sunlight.

So - possible options...
Refrigerated shipping container (http://www.container.net.au/) on aconcrete slab, rendered with mortar and baseball-sized rocks to make it look a little more pleasing.

Two pre-formed box culverts on a concrete slab, also rendered. Have to build some sort of door.
http://www.rescrete.com.au/html/html_PI/PI23.html

Building a windowless, concrete box on site.

All options then raise the issue of how to properly refrigerate/humidify the environment.

Anyone dealt with this on their own? Anyone got any other ideas? Anyone know a decent Sydney contractor?

Manning

[Andrew Jordan]

Manning,

Is off-site storage an option? Not sure where you are located but there are a few different locations/ companies around Sydney that offer reasonably priced climate controlled wine storage. At least something to consider for your good bottles (Chook Block, etc) in the short term until you have sorted out a better home solution.

[Red Bigot]

So - possible options...
Refrigerated shipping container (http://www.container.net.au/) on aconcrete slab, rendered with mortar and baseball-sized rocks to make it look a little more pleasing.

Manning

Send an email to Campbell Mattinson, I believe he uses a refrigerated container.

[Craig(NZ)]

try moving to dunedin new zealand

[rednut]

You can also build a room out of coolroom panelling. Its not overly expensive and has amazing cooling properties.
It is used a lot for building permanent annexes on caravans.

[pokolbinguy]

depending on your wine collection size, you could always use an old, non-frost free fridge, turn it on to the warmest setting and your away... these are dirt cheap and even if it doesnt work they are insulated fantasitcally, could be an short term option at least for your good stuff

good luck

[bigkid]

Hi Manning

How is the guitar playing going!

There is a book by Tyson Stelzer on wine cellaring options which is well regarded and provides some good low cost options for up to 500 bottles. If interested I can PM you the details as I don't think Gavin stocks the book - could be wrong though, might be worth checking.

Personally I keep the everyday drinking wine in polystyrene boxes in the cellar "under the bed" (boxes courtesy of TORB) and the good stuff in a wine locker at Kennards Storage. As Andrew notes, off-site storage can be a good option if available.

Following is a useful thread started by action2096 on storage:

http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ht=storage

Here is another which demonstrates the pure brilliance of my rack solution for a storage locker!!

http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ht=storage

I have since upgraded to a larger locker but still using the same stacking solution. Might do as a short term solution until you reconfigure your back yard.

Regards,

Allan

[manning]

Hi Allan

Still playing, naturally, but only acoustic.

The resolution of this cellar debate came down to the question "how long do we plan on staying at our current address?".

This was unable to be firmly answered, but I suspect we'll leave the remote wilderness of Kenthurst in the next 2-3 years, so splashing out on a permanent facility seems pointless. We have decided to buy Vintec units instead, as they are portable.

[bigkid]

Hi Manning,

I'd kill to have my old acoustic back, custom rosewood model (sides and back) from Maton, played like an electric. Loaned it to a friend who has been playing professionally - he probably thinks he owns it now - well I suppose he did give me quite a bit of cash for it.....but I still regard it as a loan.

Good luck with the vintecs. The kitcheners also seem good value looking at the posts to your latest thread. Web page is:

http://www.kitchenerwinecabinets.com.au/

I am giving them a bit of a good look for when we move to Queensland in a few years.

Regards,

Allan

[manning]

Yes, the kitcheneres are high on the list. Ugly as sin I know, but function over form (same goes for stelvin vs cork).

My main acoustic is a Martin which I picked up as a treat for myself some years ago and which only gets better with age.