A tour of the Lowcountry’s stellar cellars and stunning home wine displays
A toast to excellence
Story by Sheila Paz
A wine cellar or wine display serves as the perfect canvas for showcasing your cherished wine collection, creating a focal point and conversation piece. This functional addition enhances your home’s overall appeal while ensuring the proper storage and care of your beloved wines. Here in the Lowcountry numerous residential wine cellars are works of art. Join us as we present a selection of our personal favorites.
Wine wonderland
With a desire to house a 1,200-bottle wine collection, this Wexford homeowner confronted the challenge of finding adequate space within the home. Fortunately, an unfinished area downstairs suited perfectly. Winslow Design transformed this space into the perfect wine cellar, strategically illuminated to showcase the most cherished bottles.
Favorite bottle: The favorite bottle of homeowner Gary Crandall’s collection is a 1982 Gruaud Larose, a second-growth wine from St. Julien in Bordeaux. “It was one of my early purchases I made when I started laying wine down for aging way back in the day,” Crandall said. “I probably didn’t touch it for 20 years or so; then I’ve had perhaps one or two bottles a year since.”
Entertain with ease: Consider placing the wine cellar close to the areas where you entertain and where it will get the most use, such as the dining room or kitchen. This will make it convenient to access and ensure that you and your guests can easily enjoy your selection of wine without leaving the room.
A door to delight
The visionaries behind this Daufuskie Island residence sought to discreetly integrate the wine cellar into a wall adjoining the kitchen and dining room. Pearce Scott Architects not only embraced this concept but also added an accent wall. At first glance it appears ordinary to the casual observer, but a secret awaits those who gently push the door — a hidden wine cellar appears, making this design an alluring and unexpected surprise.
Key considerations: Before creating your wine cellar, take a moment to reflect on these essential questions:
1. Bottle quantity: Determine the number of wine bottles you intend to store.
2. Storage orientation: Decide whether you prefer horizontal, vertical or a combination of both orientations for your wine.
3. Aesthetic integration: Consider how the wine cellar aligns with your home’s overall visual appeal. Will it be a prominent showcase or a discreet, concealed feature?
4. Cooling system accessibility: Ensure easy access for maintenance when evaluating the cooling system for your wine cellar.
Minimalist magic
Inspired by a minimalist interior design concept, these Palmetto Bluff homeowners aimed to integrate a sleek wine display into their kitchen’s decor. Court Atkins Group brought this vision to life by crafting a wine display featuring custom metal doors and wooden racking. These linear racks not only provide storage for around 250 wine bottles but are strategically spaced to display the tile wall as a backdrop.
Wine display wisdom: To create a wine display that blends into your home’s interior, customize the materials to complement your existing decor.
Balancing act
Adorning the cooking wall in this Palmetto Bluff residence, two cased openings reveal a wraparound back kitchen bar that injects a dash of drama into the kitchen’s visual narrative. Court Atkins Group balanced a wine cellar at one end and a wine glassware display cabinet at the other. Lighting bathes the cellar walls in a gentle glow, accentuating the homeowner’s impressive collection of over 300 bottles.
Aesthetic fusion: When integrating a wine cellar and glassware display into your kitchen, consider the balance of functionality and aesthetics. Place these features strategically to create a flow within the space.
Artistry in light
This wine cellar within Palmetto Bluff has strategically placed lighting that accents every detail, turning the cellar into an artistic spectacle. Along the side walls traditional wine racks yield to a geometric display backed by limestone, reserved for the homeowner’s most cherished bottles and custom decanters. With a capacity to house up to 600 bottles, this wine cellar created by Court Atkins Group epitomizes both elegance and functionality.
A visual delight: When designing a wine cellar, pay attention to lighting. Thoughtfully placed lighting can transform the cellar into a masterpiece, highlighting every detail and creating an enchanting atmosphere.
A symphony of styles
These Palmetto Bluff homeowners sought modern innovation and timeless charm for their cellar. At the heart of this design, a floating horizontal metal racking wall takes center stage. Recessed lighting in both the floor and ceiling creates a captivating ambiance. On the traditional rear display wall, mahogany racks are adorned with backlit stone slabs. Beyond this, a hidden room is revealed with room for 1,500 bottles. This project completed by Court Atkins Group strikes the perfect balance between contemporary sophistication and enduring allure.
Best of both worlds: To strike a balance between modern innovation and timeless charm in a wine cellar, focus on creating a central focal point that merges the two elements. Combine contemporary design elements with traditional materials for a sense of enduring charm.
Under-stair innovation
Originally planned to be a dead space, the under-the-stair area of this Hampton Hall home was transformed into a nook that is not only functional but also adds an element of fun and creativity. When the homeowners contemplated enclosing the space, Ron Boshaw of Boshaw Residential envisioned a fitting abode for the owners’ wine collection with this mini wine cellar nook, turning the dead space into a conversational masterpiece.
Reimagine unused spaces: Whether it’s converting dead space into a mini wine cellar, a cozy reading nook or a decorative display, harness your imagination to make the most of every inch of your living space.
Tall and tasteful
Robert Brown built his dream home on Callawassie Island with a distinctive vision in mind — a walk-in wine closet. The purpose of this space extended beyond mere storage; it was designed to facilitate the sharing and appreciation of his diverse wine collection, representing various regions across the globe. Collaborating with Coastal Signature Homes and Low Tide Designs, Brown’s dream came to life as they integrated the wine closet into his entry room. With 10-foot-tall ceilings, the wine closet was designed to maximize vertical space rather than encroach on precious square footage. This approach creates the capacity to accommodate up to 378 bottles.
Elevated elegance: When planning a walk-in wine closet, consider utilizing vertical space to maximize storage capacity while minimizing the footprint. Tall ceilings allow for creative and efficient wine storage solutions.
Tucked away treasure
The homeowners of this Oldfield residence, while not fervent wine enthusiasts, wanted an uncomplicated and budget-conscious approach to discreetly store their wine collection. They opted for a wine-racking system placed in their mudroom/laundry room. This provided a straight-forward and cost-effective solution. The project was completed by Boshaw Residential.
Efficient access: A discreet wine-racking system in an underutilized area ensures your wine remains tucked away and out of sight when not in use while still being easily accessible when needed.
A taste of Tuscany
One family managed to create their own underground retreat in their Wexford home during renovations five years ago. Nancy and Joe Walsh envisioned a wine cellar with a rustic, Italian grotto ambiance, reminiscent of Nancy’s grandfather’s basement. They enlisted the help of Mark Creamer of Palatial Home Design, who turned their idea into reality. Creamer’s expertise in Tuscan-style designs led to a stunning grotto with carefully selected stone elements that mirrored the Italian countryside. Reclaimed oak barn wood and skilled craftsmanship added to the rustic charm, creating an inviting space for gatherings and wine appreciation.
Embracing memories: When aiming to create a personalized wine cellar with a specific ambiance, draw inspiration from meaningful memories or experiences.
