SO, YOU’RE READY TO CREATE A CELLAR IN YOUR HOME. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? WE GATHER SOME EXPERT ADVICE.

Not everyone has the ability to excavate under the house or can spare a room solely for wine, but almost any space can be converted into a cellar, according to Robert Rolls of Cellar Creations on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. “If you’re eliminating structural works and not creating a new space, you’ve got a good cost-saving point,” says the long-time registered builder. “We sometimes also pinch a section of a room.”

A key thing to note, Robert says, is that once a cellar is fully insulated, the area will have lost some space. Ensuring easy access to the area is also essential, and ceilings need to be able to incorporate piping for ducted climate-control systems, which are commonly installed in cellars both above and below the ground. “The unit can be remote, and the system takes care of the temperature and humidity levels,” Robert says.

Insulation is critical for all wine cellar spaces, as are thermal breaks, which Robert says are vital for preventing condensation. When going underground, a building approach that considers sensible structural, waterproofing and drainage solutions is imperative, so it's critical to engage a registered builder. After these initial works, a cellar space is ready for insulating, a climate-control system and fitting out.

“Putting in a basement is much more common than 10 years ago, and customised design and creative use of space is at the forefront of our cellars,” Robert says. He suggests going below ground is ideal for new homes, especially with city property sizes often being small, and the required green space for new residential sites at around 35 per cent. “Going underground can have its challenges, but anything is possible.” Costs will always vary according to the project, but Neil Smallman of Sydney-based Signature Cellars tends to be upfront about ballpark figures so people understand the prices involved. Bespoke cedar wine racking, for example, can cost up to $25,000 alone. Neil suggests medium-scale wine rooms cost around $55,000 to $65,0000, but some can cost up to $200,000, depending on size, scope and fit-out.

Neil says that a common challenge in the building process is allocating space for the cellar’s services, such as piping, ducting, electrical and drainage, plus climate-control systems need access to an external wall. From a wine perspective, it’s also important to assess exactly what makes up each wine collection. “Bottles are different shapes and sizes, from half-bottles to magnums, and a lot of serious collectors also keep wine in wooden boxes,” he says. “Getting the balance between great aesthetic looks and the most practical storage capacity is the key.”

Overall, engage experienced professionals early and plan well from the start. “We’ve had customers who’ve had their builder fit out a cellar with insulation, but not made any provision for the climate control or electrics, so we’ve had to rip it out and replace it to fit the right services,” Neil says. “Other customers have ordered wine racking online or from overseas only to find it doesn’t fit once the room has been properly insulated.”

l “Getting the balance between great aesthetic looks and the most practical storage capacity is the key.”

Neil Smallman, Signature Cellars