The Connoisseur's Closet

Wine used to be the domain of an elite few or a treat shared on a special occasion. As Americans put greater emphasis on quality of life, once rare splurges are now commonplace. Consequently, the demand for in-home wine cellars and racking systems is skyrocketing as homeowners require more sophisticated means for storing and accessing their wine collections.

John Lutz of Grandeur Cellars custom designs wine cellars and racking systems for this purpose. "Our cellars are specifically suited to the client's needs and spatial allowances. From full room to coat closet to niche designs, our cellars are built per the client's vision through our unique design/build approach," says Lutz.

Closet cellars, fashioned from an existing closet or designed in a small room, comprise approximately 40 percent of Lutz's business. Coat closets also can be temperature controlled for premium wine aging. Wine niches are non-conditioned recessed areas in walls that provide beautiful storage with a small station just large enough to pour wine.

"Clients can expect to pay from $1,500 to $3,000 for niche construction or $3,000 to $10,000 for coat closets, dependent upon options selected for individual designs," says Lutz. "These are great ways to incorporate state-of-the-art wine storage into any home without breaking the bank."

With a myriad of design options and his unique consultation and design process, Lutz can provide clients a personalized finished product. "Wine cellars are an artistic construction, as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional. We design-in requested options and then work jointly to derive the final blueprint," says Lutz.

Current trends include the integration of aluminum, copper and stainless steel into wood construction. Mold and mildew resistant heart redwood and mahogany are the most popular woods used in conditioned cellars. Grandeur Cellar's unmatched knack for arranging bottles at varying levels and heights is also highly demanded.

The design process takes anywhere from one week to one month depending on project size. Though coat closets and niches require little square footage, they do need to be in an interior location, preferably on a ground or subterranean level for best wine quality.

"Wine appreciation is a hobby quickly gaining popularity in the general population. More importantly, it is an investment, and you need the perfect cellar to protect your assets." 

Design your perfect wine cellar with Grandeur Cellars at 432 Valona Loop in Round Rock, go online to www.grandeurcellars.com or call 512-563-9889.