Storing wine isn’t just about keeping bottles out of the way—it’s about designing an environment that maintains their flavor and quality. A key factor in this is selecting the correct climate control equipment, enclosures, and, from a design aesthetic, a wine racking system for your wine cellar. This post will outline some details of the design and cooling systems of our on-site solar-powered wine cellar.
From Closet to Cellar: Designing a Space for Perfect Aging
Are you holding some bottles of 2008 Cannubi Barolo to age until they are ready to open in ten years? Then, you should get those bottles out of the box in the back of your closet and put them into proper long-term storage. Proper wine storage isn’t just about patience—it’s about precision. You’ll need the right climate and geometry to ensure those bottles live up to their potential.
First up, climate. Wine thrives in a cool, stable environment, and the appropriate temperature to store bottles is around 56°F (13.3°C) with 60-70% humidity. The wine will not age properly if the environment is not near those benchmarks. Predictably, this leaves you with a disappointing occasion when you open your prized bottle. The other issue is geometry. If the cork dries out prematurely, it cracks and allows oxygen to spoil the wine — a sad catastrophe. To combat this, store bottles horizontally to keep the wine in contact with the cork and preserve its quality.
So, it seems simple enough, right? Not really. If you’re serious about your collection, it’s worth investing in a properly designed wine cellar to meet these two objectives. Here is the path to a successful wine cellar design and an example of a solar-powered, California-style wine cellar.

Wine Cellar Space Planning and Wine Bottle Capacity
The first question to consider is: How many bottles do I need to store? 200? 500? 1,000? 5,000? Your answer will determine how to properly space plan the cellar and identify circulation paths and optimum storage methods. Our wine cellar, for instance, was designed with the capacity to store 1,500 bottles. About half are displayed horizontally on an elaborate, wall-mounted pegboard system. The remaining bottles will rest in sleek, floor-to-ceiling columns. Both storage systems were custom fabricated by Ultra Wine Racks (distributed by Vintage Cellars) and assembled and installed on-site by our crew.
We also custom design racking systems from wood or metal in our shop, similar to this design or a more retail design. Whatever the setup, advance design planning is necessary to provide the proper blocking in the wall to support shelving or racks.
Solar Powered Wine Cellar: Sustainable Design Materials
We utilize the Earth’s constant temperature by burrowing the cellar into the ground. By further insulating the walls and ceiling with closed-cell spray foam insulation, we reduce overall cooling demand, allowing the equipment to run less. This design approach extends the equipment’s life, and this bottom-up approach results in a truly sustainable solution for storing wine.
All wood or metal stud walls are covered with ‘green board’ drywall, a moisture-resistant material typically used in areas where moisture levels are high. The outward-facing side of the cellar is enclosed with 1/2″ tempered glass set in a thin, black aluminum frame, resulting in an unobstructed and practically seamless sight line from the surrounding living space into the cellar.


Sketch illustrating the basement cellar/spa/gym floor plan, the glass-enclosed wine cellar placement, and construction progress.


Spray foam insulation and radiant heat polished concrete floors for a warm, hygge basement vibe. We omitted radiant floor tubes inside the cellar to not compete with the cooling system.



Solar-Powered Wine Cellar Climate Control and HVAC Equipment
Once the enclosure is complete, connect the cooling equipment to condition the cellar space. Our cellar utilizes a high-static 12,000 BTU condensing unit connected to an 800 CFM evaporator sourced from US Cellar Systems. Both units sit in a utility room immediately adjacent to the cellar. Still, placing them outside in the proper climate is an option as long as the equipment stays air-cooled and avoids overheating.
Two 12″ diameter (or equivalent rectangular duct) runs from the equipment into the cellar space, one for supply air and one for return. Plan the duct routing in advance to ensure a viable route for the ducts and to determine if soffits are required. Because we care about all things design, we’ve sourced air louvers from Krueger HVAC that preserve the elegance of the cellar space. The slot louvers are ‘mud-in,’ meaning they don’t have an exposed flange and practically disappear into the wall surface.
Wine Cellar Powered By The Sun
Having created an energy-efficient envelope and specified the optimal cooling equipment, we can now connect the power supply to our rooftop solar panels. We are utilizing a 6.4kW photovoltaic solar array on the roof above, which provides surplus capacity after powering the building’s other electrical needs.
Wine Cellar Design Flooring: Polished Concrete Floors That Echo New Zealand’s Shores
Polished concrete is the most durable and, conveniently, least expensive floor finish. With a few modifications and planning, your concrete floor can transcend the utilitarian vibe of a garage or Home Depot. When done right, concrete becomes a canvas, transforming into a mosaic-like surface that’s resilient and modern. You can read more about concrete floor finishes in our dedicated post here.
The polished concrete floor in our cellar is inspired by New Zealand’s south island beaches. Specifically, the beaches around Punakaiki with their unique mix of black and tan stones. To match this appearance in a polished concrete floor, we customized the aggregate mix of the concrete to be larger and more varied than typical concrete aggregate (which is uniformly gray). After the concrete has cured, the floor polisher grinds the top cream-colored concrete down 1/8″, often called ‘Class C‘ aggregate exposure. The surface is then polished to the desired gloss level. We went with Level 3 for our design.



Wine Cellar Lighting Design and Interior Finishes
A mix of direct and indirect lighting is an important design consideration to tie the entire composition together. The wall-mounted wine racks are held off by 3/4″ to allow for LED lighting to wrap around all the edges so there is a pleasant glow and to give the racks more of a floating effect. The general lighting in the space is fabricated to be timeless. Therefore, there is no visible flange, and the walnut ceiling finish may abut directly to the light fixture opening aperture. The general lights have a two-step light temperature control, so the light temperature is 3000K when the light is on full and lowers to 2400K when dimmed down, creating a moody atmosphere. To round out the cellar, walnut panels and cabinets clad the walls and ceiling, which complement the black finish of the wine storage racks.

Paul Giamatti has no connection to moss or this wine cellar’s design—we just really like Paul
How To Design A Custom Wine Cellar FAQ
Do I need an architect to design my wine cellar?
In short, yes. There’s a lot to consider, from the HVAC system and wall/glass specifications to the perfect lighting, racking, and energy efficiency. An architect ensures the design is as elegant, seamless, and functional as possible.
How to design and construct a wine cellar?
Start from the outside and work inwards. The primary goal is to maintain a constant temperature and humidity, so placement and design of the walls, floors, and ceilings are paramount.
First, construct the insulated room with wall studs. Then, apply a closed-cell spray foam insulation layer as a vapor barrier. After installing the greenboard drywall, add insulation to maintain proper temperature and humidity. Attach a condensing unit and air handler to the ductwork to supply and return air effectively. Install louvers to terminate the ductwork, ensuring proper airflow. Set up a bottle storage system. There are many options, and we can design the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing layout for you. This covers the basics. Want to enhance the design further? Consider extra storage, cabinets, a counter for serving, or custom finishes like lighting, wall treatments, or flooring.
What is the best location for my cellar?
If your house has a basement, that’s the best spot for your wine cellar. Otherwise, consider the main level or a butler’s pantry. Wherever you choose, make sure the space is well-ventilated, dark, and moisture-controlled. And don’t forget to think about how you’ll entertain and enjoy your wine—what rooms or features should be nearby to complement your cellar?
How much does a solar-powered wine cellar cost?
The racking/storage costs about $5-10 per bottle, depending on the system and design. Depending on the room’s size, the cooling equipment costs between $10,000 and $25,000 for materials and installation. However, an insulated room must be constructed first unless you are converting an existing room or space.