Building Your Wine Cellar

If you're reading this, then the chances are that you like wine. It's one of life's luxuries that brings our friends and loved ones together, excites the senses, and elevates the ordinary day. We all have our favorite wines for everyday drinking, but sometimes there are a few bottles we reserve for those special occasions. Have you thought about taking it one step further by becoming a wine collector? 

The idea of moving from wine enthusiast to wine collector might sound intimidating, but we want to offer some suggestions on how you can start to build a collection of wine at home for you to enjoy in the future. What makes wine collection exciting is that there is the potential of your wines to gain in value, it's also a fun way to collect memories and give gifts. We have friends gift new parents with a nice bottle of wine from their children's birth year for them to open when they turn 21 or get married. You can be the hostess with the most-ess when you offer a vertical tasting at your holiday dinner. The opportunities to enjoy your collection are endless. 

Here are a few tips on how to start building a collection of your own. 

Decide how much you can dedicate to building your collection. You can start building with just a few hundred or a few thousand. Deciding on your budget ahead of time will help you determine your approach to collecting.

Pick a system for storing your wine safely. To maintain the integrity of your wine, it's essential to keep it as stable as possible, particularly when it comes to temperature. When wine gets too hot or experiences too many changes in temperature, it degrades the wine and shortens its life. If you are unable to create a cellar in your home, start with a wine cooler with temperature controls for both white wine and red wine. 

If you plan on collecting expensive wine, you'll want to make sure you have an accurate record of your wines for insurance purposes. It's also helpful to use a tracking system that has vintage notes and a vintage chart, so you know the ideal time to drink or hold your wine. 

The best wine to collect is the wine you enjoy. Your collection should reflect your tastes! Look to the wines you enjoy drinking now, and ask your favorite wineries if they have library wines for sale. 

Now you're on your way to becoming a collector! Did you know that we have a club option specifically for library wines? When you become a Ruby Hill Wine Club Member, you have the opportunity to add the Library Club. The Library Club offers you two additional allotments per year of wines specially curated by the winemaker. You'll also enjoy the added benefit of a complimentary Portfolio Tasting experience for up to 4 guests! Learn how you can become a member today!