Maintaining Wine Cellar Climates

Not all wine cellars are created equal when it comes down to planning for the interior cellar climate control. The location of your home and the specific location of the cellar within it will be major factors in determining what your strategy will be for maintaining the proper wine storage environment of approximately 55 degrees F and 60% RH.

Wine Cellar Climates in the United States

No matter what your desired wine cellar climate will be, it is recommended that you build a wine cellar with adequate insulation and vapor barrier around your cellar space and incorporate an exterior-grade wine cellar door with proper weather stripping. A proper wine cellar climate is the key to healthy wine.

Wine Cellars in Cool Climates

In this climate region, you may be able to get away without an active cooling system. With the proper insulation, vapor barrier, and northeast basement location, it is possible that you could maintain the proper temperature and humidity for long-term wine storage.

Outdoor condensers will require low ambient protection.
Humidity control will be needed for the fall and winter months

Wine Cellars in Temperate Climates

If your wine cellar will be located in this region, you will need active wine cellar cooling and humidification control for a good part of the year. If the wine cellar is in a basement, it may be possible to turn off active cooling for several months during the winter.

Outdoor condensers will require low ambient protection
Humidity control will be needed during the fall and winter months

Wine Cellars in Hot and Humid Climates

It is likely that wine cellars in this region are built above ground and will require the maximum amount of insulation and vapor barrier possible. Again, a well sealed and insulated wine cellar door is imperative.

Humidity control may not be necessary in this region
An energy efficient wine cellar system is important for this region
Maximum insulation R-value should be used during wine cellar construction

Wine Cellars in Hot and Arid Climates

This wine cellar climate area requires robust design and wine cellar construction, as well as wine cellar cooling and humidification systems that will perform under extreme conditions.

Year-round humidity control will be needed wine cellars in this area
An energy efficient wine cellar system is important for this region
Maximum insulation R-value should be used during wine cellar construction