If you’re a wine enthusiast or collector, you might be thinking about building a home wine cellar for your log home or cabin. It makes sense. Good vintage wines need just the right storage conditions to mature properly and reach their full potential.

Whether you’re thinking about a traditional wine cellar in the basement or a micro-cellar under the stairs, we’ve pulled together some rustic wine cellar ideas for inspiration. If you’re planning to build your own log home, it’s the perfect time to think about incorporating a home wine cellar.

Why Build a Home Wine Cellar?

Whether you’re a long-time collector or new to the wine scene, building a wine room or cellar is a great way to show off your collection. Here are a few other reasons a dedicated wine room makes sense:

• It protects your investment – If you collect expensive or vintage wines or are thinking about starting a collection, a cellar will safeguard your investment, ensuring your wines age correctly and don’t spoil.
• It’s ideal for entertaining – A home wine cellar means you’ll always have a selection of wines on hand for every occasion, and it’s a great way to showcase your collection.
• It can increase your home’s value – A well-designed and constructed wine cellar—with proper temperature and humidity controls—can improve the resale value of your home.

Where to Build a Home Wine Cellar

If you have a large home or basement (or if you’re building a log home from the ground up) the sky’s the limit when creating a home wine cellar.

But if space is limited or you have a small collection, you don’t need to create a sprawling wine room. In fact, you might be surprised by how many options you have for creating a small to midsize wine cellar. Here are some options:

Under the Stairs

The unused space beneath many staircases provides the perfect spot for a small wine cellar. With custom racking and clever design, you can turn this often-overlooked area into a functional wine storage space. An elegant glass entry will make the space appear larger and is a great way to showcase your collection.

Kitchen Island

A popular trend in modern kitchens is building wine storage right into the kitchen island. It puts your favorite wines right at your fingertips and changes the aesthetics of the space, which will no doubt become a conversation starter. A kitchen island with built-in wine storage also doubles as a log cabin home bar—perfect for entertaining.

Spare Room or Closet

If you have an extra room in your house—such as a rarely used guest bedroom, home office, or even a large closet—consider converting it into a wine room. A well-designed walk-in closet or small room can hold several hundred bottles, with room to spare for a tasting area and possibly even a dedicated space for wine-related literature or art.

Basement or Cellar

Wines have been stored in basements, cellars, and crawl spaces for centuries, thanks to the naturally cool and humid conditions below ground. By insulating and outfitting your basement or cellar with the right racking and climate-control systems, you’ll ensure your wines age to perfection. Basement cellars are ideal for showcasing a curated collection and entertaining guests, and they can add considerable value to your home.

Exterior Wine Cellar/Structure

If you have room on your property, you might consider joining the ranks of log homeowners opting for an exterior wine cellar. These separate buildings are often built partially underground to capitalize on the cool and humid conditions. If moving earth is out of the question, a climate-controlled wine shed with good insulation is another option. Outdoor wine cellars are ideal for entertaining in the warmer months, and they increase your home’s value.

Whichever location you choose for your wine cellar, it’s vital to properly insulate and cool the space. Without the right protection, your wine collection may be no better off than if stored in a cupboard or closet.

Build Your Dream Home with eLoghomes

With hundreds of different models and floor plans to choose from, you’ll find the perfect log home for your family with eLoghomes.

Our log cabin kits make home building faster and easier. We provide everything your builder or general contractor needs to get started on your project. And since all our models are fully customizable, you can build out your vision in every room—including creating your very own home wine cellar.

Ready to start your project? Search our catalog to find your perfect log home, then call us for pricing.