In modern glass wine cellar designs, glass serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose. As a material, it brings a sleek, contemporary look that contrasts with traditional wine storage spaces. It also offers the practical benefit of showcasing wine collections, allowing for natural light to highlight the cellar’s beauty without compromising the conditions necessary for wine preservation.
Modern Glass Wine Cellar Project Overview
Recently, CustomWineCellar.com completed a project in Manhattan Beach, transforming a home’s basement into a sophisticated wine storage space. The homeowners, who prioritize hosting friends and family, wanted a wine cellar that not only complemented their home but also enhanced the overall entertainment experience. The new walk-in wine cellar became a focal point of the home, seamlessly integrating with the existing design and providing inspiration for future wine enthusiasts.
Wine cellar designer Steve Pantalemon shows the completed project. To his left is the wine cellar; to his right is the gym which they also fitted with the same glass enclosure.
Designing the Wine Cellar Within the Home’s Aesthetic
From the exterior, this Manhattan Beach home showcases a modern design with carefully manicured landscaping, large windows, and a minimalist off-white facade. Inside, the CustomWineCellar.com team carried this vision forward with a wine cellar that reflects the home’s sleek and stylish look.
The cellar is located in the semi-open basement, which also includes an entertainment hub featuring a pool table, home theater, bar, and gym.
Steve Pantalemon and his team were involved from the outset of the renovation, allowing them to coordinate matching glass enclosures for both the wine cellar and the gym. This continuity between spaces not only enhances the design but also ensures a practical and efficient layout.
As visitors descend the stairs, they are greeted by the glass-enclosed wine cellar on one side and the gym on the other. This hallway opens up to the main entertainment area, with each space easily accessible. The glass enclosures, a signature feature of the design, contribute to the overall aesthetic, making the cellar an eye-catching element of the basement.
This modern glass wine cellar’s entrance was customized with a door sweep at the bottom to prevent cold air from escaping.
Temperature and Humidity Control: Essential for Wine Preservation
One of the key challenges in creating a glass wine room is managing temperature and humidity. Standard glass can trap heat and create condensation, both of which are detrimental to wine storage. To avoid this, Steve Pantalemon and his team used glass specifically designed for wine cellars, ensuring proper insulation and temperature control.
Maintaining a consistent environment between 50 and 65°F is essential for wine preservation. Fluctuations in temperature can alter the wine’s chemical composition, affecting its taste, aroma, and quality. By prioritizing temperature and humidity control, CustomWineCellar.com guarantees the integrity of the wine collection.
A marble slab lines the surface of the counter, giving this modern glass wine cellar a subtle luxury touch.
Thermally Insulated Glass and Design Enhancements
To further enhance insulation, CustomWineCellar.com used dual-paned tempered glass panels with thermal breaks. This design feature prevents heat transfer between the outside environment and the cooler air inside the cellar, ensuring that the wine remains at a stable temperature—around 55°F—regardless of outdoor conditions.
Additional design elements included black matte mullions to give the glass enclosure a modern touch and a door sweep to seal the bottom of the glass wine cellar door, preventing any air leakage that could disrupt the climate-controlled environment.
Water-Cooled Split-System for Efficient Cooling 
Given the basement’s concrete surroundings, traditional air-cooling methods were not feasible. The team could not vent air through the walls, and a standard split-system unit would overheat in such an enclosed space. To solve this, Pantalemon’s team installed a water-cooled, ducted split-system unit from US Cellar Systems. This advanced system circulates water from the home to cool the air passing through the unit, ensuring efficient cooling in areas where ventilation is limited.
Custom Wine Racking: Maximizing Storage and Style
The wine cellar’s storage capacity was a significant aspect of the design, and CustomWineCellar.com incorporated two distinct racking systems to accommodate the homeowner’s collection.
This contemporary wine racking was made from high quality steel and wood.
On one side, metal rods were mounted on white oak supports, anchored to vertical stainless-steel posts. This setup not only organized the bottles neatly but also allowed the wine labels to be visible from both inside and outside the cellar.
On the opposite side, custom wooden racks, also made from white oak, featured magnum and 750ml display rows. The design included a light valance that concealed LED strip lights, illuminating the collection while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Additional storage options included diamond bins, case storage areas, and cork-forward racks for standard bottles. A built-in drawer housed the homeowner’s cork collection, and a marble countertop provided a functional surface for handling wine and glassware.
With a capacity of 1,500 bottles, the modern glass wine cellar offers ample room for an expanding collection, ensuring that the space can grow with the homeowner’s needs.
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Custom Wine Cellars Miami Fl