Sunday, February 28, 2010

Modern-Day Cave Men

While visiting Napa and Sonoma Valley's last summer I was intrigued by the wine caves of the various vineyards. Not only do they serve the purpose of storing and aging wine, they are quite beautiful.


The challenge for the design and construction of most wine caves is to create a fairly wide span in weak rock with low cover.


High humidity minimizes evaporation. Wine makers consider humidity over 75% for reds, and over 85% for whites to be ideal for wine aging and barrel storage.



The air temperatures in northern California along with underground temperature of about 58° (F), are optimal for wine caves.
Wine in oak barrels evaporates much more slowly in a damp cave than in a dry warehouse.


There is a beautiful ambiance for sipping wine amongst the barrels.


I would love to host a wine tasting party here!


Once thought to be extinct, it turns out that cave men are alive today - and living very well. But unlike those hairy prehistoric hulks with wooden clubs, today's cave men are affluent professionals who sip vintage Cabernet in swank, subterranean cellars.


You too can have your own wine cave.


Perhaps built with stone for a more authentic feel...



...or maybe something more contemporary.



Your wine cave can be constructed to accommodate your collection.




I am not a collector but do enjoy nice wine, maybe I will think about something on a small scale in my (next) home.

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