BUILDING A WINE CELLAR IN THE BASEMENT

At Danford, Brewer & Ives, we’re specialists in basement conversions, and our team can build you the basement wine cellar you’ve always dreamed of.

Are you wondering how to build a wine cellar in your basement? Then keep reading, as we explain everything you need to know about a wine cellar basement.

Can You Use a Basement as a Wine Cellar?

If you’re a wine collector, a sommelier or a wine enthusiast, then building a wine cellar in the basement could be the pipe-dream project you’ve always wanted to make a reality.

Wines need careful storage in controlled conditions to protect their taste and qualities, particularly if you’re investing in expensive wine that needs to be aged before it’s enjoyed.

Basements and cellars located below properties are considered to be the best option for home wine storage, and that’s because they often offer optimal conditions.

Basements have low temperatures yet remain humid, they are dark but can be ventilated, and they generally provide lots of space for horizontal storage of bottles.

How Do I Convert My Basement into a Wine Cellar?

The process will vary from one project to the next and largely depends on the existing condition of any cellar space you may have. The first step is to have a survey carried out by a professional before discussing your plans for a wine cellar with them.

If you have an existing cellar space, it may be simple to convert this into a wine cellar. If not, it may be possible to underpin and excavate the property to build a new space or extend an existing one to make it larger.

A professional will also consider how the cellar space can be ventilated, waterproofed and protected from damp. Once you have the structure of the cellar space in place, you can then think about installing cooling systems, wine racks, refrigerators, and interior design and décor.

How Much Does It Cost to Put in a Wine Cellar?

Cost is an important factor to consider when building a wine cellar in a basement. The main variables include:

  • The size of the basement
  • How much work needs to be done to extend the space
  • The complexity of the wine cellar

Larger basements will cost more, but if you have an existing space you can expect to pay around £700 – £1,300 per square metre. If complex work like underpinning and excavation needs to be carried out, you may pay £1,500 – £2,000 per square metre.

What Temperature Does a Wine Cellar Need to Be?

A wine cellar will ideally be kept at a constant, cool temperature that has little fluctuation. This ensures that your wines won’t spoil, either by overheating or through frosty conditions.

The ideal temperature may vary depending on your vintages and types of wine, but for red wine, it’s best to aim between 8 and 18 degrees Celsius. 12 degrees Celsius is seen as optimal.

How Do You Control the Humidity in a Wine Cellar?

Humidity levels in a wine cellar can affect storage, so it’s important to keep humidity controlled. The ideal relative humidity levels for wine storage are between 50 and 70 per cent.

You can install cooling systems to control the temperature and humidity of a wine cellar. If your cellar is proving too humid, particularly in summer, then dehumidifiers can help.

Likewise, keeping your basement cellar properly insulated and protected against damp will help remove excess humidity.

Do Wine Cellars Need Ventilation?

Wines need ventilation otherwise they are in danger of being spoiled by foul air or high temperatures.

Regular circulation of fresh air helps to keep wines in optimal conditions, providing clean air that allows them to breathe while keeping the basement’s temperature cool.

When you’re building a wine cellar in a basement, you need to ensure that the cellar space is adequately ventilated. This could involve building ventilation shafts or windows that can be opened to the outside.

Danford, Brewer & Ives Offers an Insurance-Backed Guarantee

Danford, Brewer & Ives are basement conversion specialists and our team of experienced engineers is ready to make your basement wine cellar plans a reality.

We only work with trusted partners, and this means that we can offer an independent insurance-backed guarantee to our customers on completion of your basement conversion.

Contact Danford, Brewer & Ives today to find out more.