When you drop dollars on a precious bottle of wine, make sure it’s in a safe place until it’s time to imbibe.

A wine cellar introduces a space to house a collection and creates a conversation piece for guests. But building a cellar suitable for wine requires special considerations, says James LaVoy, co-principal of Forner-LaVoy Builders. With a portfolio of classy wine cellar experience, LaVoy knows what homeowners should keep in mind when planning for a cellar.

“Folks ask what the ideal temperature is, but it’s less about the actual temperature than it is about being consistent with it,” he says. Ideal temperatures range from 55–70 degrees but shouldn’t run that spectrum. Fluctuations can compromise the flavor integrity of wine.

To avoid mold and other unwanted visitors, “Take precautions so you don’t get moisture on the walls by creating a barrier,” LaVoy says. “It’s critical to get a vapor and thermal barrier in there because if you don’t, you’ll get a musty and mold-filled environment very quickly.”

Finally, avoid applying stains and finishes on wood in the cellar. Although a rich, oak-colored stain looks beautiful, it’s likely to affect the taste of your wine. “Wine is a living, breathing thing, so I don’t believe in putting stain [in the cellar] that would give off fumes and could interact negatively with the wine,” LaVoy says.

And if space doesn’t allow a whole room for wine, try a classy fridge, says Christopher Cribb, managing director of Marquee Selections. “They’re an affordable luxury that can take a kitchen from a B-plus to an A,” he says. Try models by Viking, available via Factory Direct (multiple metro locations) and Nebraska Furniture Mart (1601 Village Parkway, Kansas City Kansas).

TIPS FROM MARQUEE SELECTIONS

WHAT TO DO…
• Create a spot for activity, such as a nook with a tabletop or a butcher’s block table.
• Remember that fine wines are collectibles that sometimes come in wooden boxes. Consider Incorporating a rustic box storage in the cellar design.
• Cellars are typically chilly, so rethink plans to entertain guests in one for a length of time.

…AND DON’T
• Forget three elements of wine storage: cool, dark and on its side.
• Put the cellar near a garage. The vibrations and heat from the garage door opening mess with the perfect temperature and stability of the cellar.
• Be afraid of commercial products. Wine refrigerators come in many sizes and can hold anywhere from a few bottles to a few hundred bottles, and many are sleek designs./Volumes/api/KCMag.com/KCM/2012/June/ homepage/image04.jpg