Here at Rosehill Wine Cellars, we make all types of wooden wine racks in our modern woodshop behind our Mississauga showroom. Our facility is equipped with every machine and tool required to make wine cellar visions come to life. Our skilled staff is comprised of sawyers and cabinetmakers who use a variety of advanced wood processing machinery to complete breathtaking custom woodworking projects.
We’ve made it our mission in life to be Canada’s best wooden wine rack producer and to be ranked among our nation’s most imaginative wine cellar designers. Because we’ve been in the wine cellar construction industry since the 1990’s, we know which designs, materials and cooling equipment are most efficient, and when it comes to racking, we’ve got the means to build anything you can imagine, on time and on budget.
Sawyer examines output from the Weinig Variomat crown moulding machine.
Highly Motivated Workers Are Rosehill’s Secret Weapon
Eight industrial woodworking technicians, both male and female, work within our wine cellar production centre, and we pride ourselves in the longevity of our work force. Much of our staff has been with us for over a decade, learning new skills and becoming more knowledgeable and experienced every day.
Each staff member has different abilities which they’ve brought to our team or have developed here in our shop. We strive to work with everyone individually to ensure we’re leveraging their best skills. Since our plant produces custom work, every job is a little different, and each order brings fresh challenges and new learnings.
Our woodshop processes approximately 3500 board feet of top-quality hardwood per month. Most of the wood we use is grown domestically and that includes oak, maple, walnut, birch, and cherry. Certain exotic lumbers are imported, like mahogany and sapele. Other necessary supplies include white birch plywood, rolls of hardwood veneer edging, hinges, handles, panes of glass, boxes of screws and buckets of varnish and wood glue. In addition to everything else, we also use about 4lbs of pure Canadian beeswax each month. (Save the Bees!)
Hardwood enters our shop as raw timber, unstained and untreated but kiln-dried and perfectly cured so it won’t shrink after it becomes furniture. The boards are moved to our storage area where they’re sorted and wait to be selected. The handlers here are the youngest, and strongest team members and they start each day by ripping planks to the correct specs.
Wine cellar design schematics streamline production and are shared between specialists.
Every assignment comes in the form of detailed blueprints with a specific pick list and the correct order in which things need to be completed. This process ensures we stay on schedule. We also create predesigned kit racking which is also custom built to order. The advantage of having a versatile team is that individual roles can change at a moment’s notice without delaying production.
How Wooden Wine Racks Are Made
Wooden wine racks are conceived on paper with each part itemized. The resulting schematic follows the job around the shop where it serves as a handy list of parts and to illustrate more complex assemblies. Junior staff members start the process when they choose the raw timber from which to fabricate parts. Their work passes to more senior staff who require wooden components be precisely cut and shaped.
Inside our facility are specialized wood saws which not only cut high quality timber, they also reduce time and effort. It’s no secret that our professional equipment makes woodworking easier, more precise, and safer than if we were operating consumer-grade tools available in hardware stores. As an example, one table saw in our shop has eight blades and can rip a single plank into seven strips in one pass. The machine uses lasers to check the edges and will auto-report any calibration requirements.
Eight blades for a table saw that rips wooden planks into thin strips for wooden wine racks.
Next stop for most woods being used is a station where we smooth rough surfaces and carve the required grooves. Our Weinig Variomat whirls five cutting edges at once and outputs flawless crown moulding.
Our wood shop also has an Opticut S-50 which cuts upwards from underneath the wood. This device lets operators dial-in the exact specifications they require, and then that same operation can then be performed indefinitely. That’s a real time saver when building wine racks or anything that requires lots of duplicate pieces like our Premier Cru wood wine racking kits.
The programmable Opticut s-50 saw is a real time saver for cutting similar pieces in custom wine cellar designs.
Another programmable tool is our Honig CNC machine which was imported from Germany. The computer-controlled mechanism improves production time, quality, and consistency as well as material yield. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process which employs pre-programmed computer software to dictate how the cutting mechanisms move and we use it when we want to complete a large custom wine cellar with many uniform parts. We also have regular table saws as well as a band saw, an edge sander, a drum sander, a wood lathe, and a side bore drill.
Worker uses table saw to rip thin strips of black walnut for decorative elements in wine cellar racking.
Once the rough lumber has been planed, routed, and shaped to the required parameters, the pieces advance to the assembly phase. Nail-gunners with perfect eyesight and steady hands take up the arm-numbing task of binding the bits together.
Worker uses nail gun to bind six inch bits of wood into a decorative cover for a wine cellar cooling duct.
In the photo above, a worker uses a nail-gun to shoot slender bits of metal into a delicate grill which, in this case, will be used as a custom duct cover.
In the assembly phase, our most senior cabinetmakers with years of experience follow the same detailed plans to fasten all the wooden parts and pieces together as wall cabinets and wine racks.
A cabinetmaker with forty years of experience assembles wooden pieces into a wall unit for an upscale custom wine cellar.
Finally, there are finishing touches which include staining, lacquering, and waxing certain woods.
Spraying wood with a protective lacquer in the well-ventilated spray booth inside Rosehill’s woodshop.
A spray booth station with all the requisite barriers and ventilation is among the most recent additions to Rosehill’s woodshop. As an environmentally conscious organization we only use biodegradable water-based finishes. Before we had our own spray booth, the work was sent across town to a 3rd party vendor, but now it’s all done in-house which gives us more control over the quality and timeline.
Finally, the finished product moves to the Shipping Department.
Another load of wooden wine racks waits for pickup in the Shipping Department of the woodshop.
Here are wooden wine racks waiting to be packaged so they can be picked up or shipped out and assembled in a new wine cellar somewhere near or far. The racking we make is installed in homes, cottages, and restaurants all over North America. We are extremely proud of the cellars we produce, and it shows in the quality of the craftsmanship.
Wine collectors sometimes refer to their rare vintages as treasures. So it only makes sense that some wine cabinets should look like fortified treasure chests (they do), and some glass-enclosed wine cellars could be made to look like silver jewellery boxes.
wine cellar design inspiration reference
This is just what Rosehill’s wine cellar construction service was asked to design and build by a wine loving man who wanted to recreate the stately look of his wife’s jewelery box downstairs in their home recreation room. They provided a sketch of this ‘reference’ that did indeed look like a silver box jewelry case perched on its side. Needless to say, we absolutely loved the idea and we brought it to life, adding double doors and plenty of other amenities which you can learn about below.
Glass enclosed (or Plexiglass) wine cellars with specially coated thermal and UV light protected glass panes usually have Vintage View metal wine racks and LED lighting and can be assembled just about anywhere inside any home or business. No longer does wine need to be stored away out of sight in a musty cellar space. Nowadays our wine cellar design team can put an attractive collection just about anywhere in the home. With deep racks, a floor to ceiling model can accommodate hundreds of bottles in the sedate chill required for long term wine storage.
The wine cabinet you see below is made out of wood, but it’s finished in metallic silver paint and so it looks like the jewelry box reference that the customer provided, set on its side.
This stunning custom wine cabinet has wall-mounted triple deep Vintage View metal racks. These racks are perfect for maximizing the space and provide a perfect showcase for wine stored inside the casement.
This modern looking metallic wine cellar is made of wood with special effect paint to look like brushed silver metal. Four doors in total allow for easy access to wine bottles within.
A showpiece within a home family room, this elegant modern wine cabinet has seamless concealed hinges and state of the art multi-point lock system to secure the wine within.
The silver box shaped wine cabinet is the new centerpiece display in the rec room.
As discussed above, the exterior finish of the wine cabinet was designed to match a jewelry box supplied by the customer. To complete the effect, the back wall of the wine cellar installation is painted mirror black.
Temperature Controlled Wine Cabinet in Faux Metal
The enclosure is cooled with a split ducted cellar pro 3000s. The condensing unit is located in a nearby storage area inside the home. Cellar Pro cooling units can accommodate a number of complicated installs for perfect storing and serving temperature.
Metal wine racks within the climate controlled wine cabinet.
The vertical wine bottle display mixes metal, wood, glass and mirror to make this wine cabinet the focal point and key design feature of the billiards room. The black Vintage View metal wine racks inside allow wine to become the focal point of the room.
Rosehill Wine Cellars Design Team is ready to help you make your new wine cellar installation or basement renovation dream come true.
With wine rack kits, you can affordably set up wine storage for your collection.
Wine rack kits are affordable, high-quality options for setting up home storage for your wine collection. Any true wine lover will set up proper wine storage space, creating the option to buy in bulk and take advantage of other opportunities to cut the cost of wine purchases. Horizontal wine racks provide optimal storage because they prevent sediment from collecting at the bottom of the bottle, ensure that the cork stays moist, and more. The following are some things you may not know about wine rack kits.
1-Many Modules can be Cut to a Custom Fit
Kits can be adaptable to your wine storage needs. Some modules can be easily cut to allow for customization. Many Premier Cru wood wine rack kits, for instance, offer construction of the highest quality plus the option to customize.
2-Mix and Match Modules
Wooden wine rack kits have angle displays, thickness, and depth that allow for mixing and matching, to build the personalized wine cellar you dream of.
3-Trim is Often Included
Crown and base trim is often included, such as Premier Cru kits that can be ordered from Rosehill Wine Cellars. The trim is shipped in long lengths so that the cleanest look can be achieved upon installation. Shorter lengths can be cut, if preferred; simply ask when ordering. Side returns are provided for two ends. Also, extra trim can be ordered, if desired.
4-There are Options of the type of Wood for Kits
There are different types of wood you can choose from for your wooden wine rack kits. In the moderate price range are kits made with Beech, Toasted Maple, and Sapele, which is African Mahogany. Custom racking is available in virtually any desired wood type; Walnut and Cherry are very popular.
5-Curved Wine Rack Kits are Available
The options in wooden wine rack kits include curved racks that allow you to use corner space efficiently.
6-They are Good Investments
You can store a lot more wine with wine racks than in the same amount of space without racking made from kits. Another reason kits are good investments is that no matter the age of your wine, there is benefit to storing it properly.
7-Rosehill Wine Cellars has an Excellent Design Resource for Wine Racks made with Kits
Rosehill Wine Cellars offers detailed tips for designing and creating your own wine cellar and adding shelving as desired using wine rack kits. Click here to go to the link.
Check out the wine racking gallery at Rosehill Wine Cellars. Many show wine storage constructed with wine rack kits.
A fundamental of wine storage is placing wine on horizontal racks, to protect the cork. (Photo: Wine Racks from Rosehill Wine Cellars)
Wine storage is widely known to be best in cellar-like conditions, but far fewer wine drinkers understand the importance of the cork. The idea behind creating a wine cellar is to provide the perfect environment for wine to be stored so that it ages properly. For storage of a year or more, natural cork in a wine bottle is a crucial component in the process of wine maturation. The fact that most wine racks are built to store wine horizontally has to do with the cork, but that’s not all. The cork takes the spotlight in wine cellars in several ways.
Horizontal wine racks
For a cork to perform the way it is meant to, it must stay wet by maintaining contact with the wine. Horizontal wine racks are ideal because they keep the cork wet. If the cork does not stay wet, the result will be that the cork dries out, shrinks, and allows oxygen to get to the wine. This results in oxidation. Oxidized wine turns into vinegar, totally spoiling the anticipated flavor and enjoyment of the wine.
Constant Wine Storage Temperature
An essential part of wine storage is maintaining a constant temperature that rarely fluctuates. When there are swings in temperature, the wine will continuously expand and contract, which ultimately damages the cork’s integrity. As the cork is pulled in and out by the effects of changing temperatures, eventually, wine can seep along the outer edge of the cork, between the bottle neck and the cork. This allows air in, which is another way wine becomes oxidized. Due to the importance of maintaining a constant temperature, wine cellars are best built by professionals who understand how to properly insulate a wine cellar and how to choose a wine cellar cooling unit of the correct size for the space.
Clean Environment
Another fundamental aspect of proper wine storage is keeping the environment clean and free of foodstuffs and other items that introduce strong smells. Odors can permeate corks and contaminate the wine. Don’t store bleach or foods such as cheeses in your wine cellar, since they can ruin the wine through the cork. If mice and insects are drawn to the cellar because of the presence of food, they also tend to chew corks and gnaw on wine labels.
Experts in Wine Storage
The professional builders at Rosehill Wine Cellars know all the details of proper wine storage, including the significance of wine corks. There is an undeniable connection between wine storage and corks, just as proper wine storage is linked to enjoying the taste of fine bottles of wine.
Is a traditional wine cellar your style preference?
A practical step involved in building a wine cellar is to determine if a traditional wine cellar has the desired features or if you prefer a modern or transitional style. Other aspects of your custom wine cellar can be left to professionals, as long as builders are experienced with the precise requirements of proper wine storage. For wine cellar construction in Toronto and the surrounding area, contact the experts at Rosehill Wine Cellars. We can create the high-quality modern, transitional, or traditional wine cellar of your dreams. Our inventory includes a broad selection of wine cellar cooling units by top manufacturers as well as wine racks and racking systems that perfectly complement your design choice.
Attributes of a Traditional Wine Cellar
What features do you have in mind for your wine cellar? You lean towards traditional design if you like warm woods intricate in detail. Common attributes of a traditional wine cellar also include natural stone, wood floors, tile, brick, rolling ladders, and barreled ceilings. Wood wine racks may be made with redwood, African Mahogany, Toasted Maple, or another type of rich wood that holds up well in the wine cellar environment.
Features in a Modern Wine Cellar
Modern wine cellars demonstrate a clear departure from the rich woods essential to traditional wine cellars. Features are sleeker, with cleaner lines. If you like a wine cellar with stainless steel, acrylic, and/or frameless glass, a modern cellar is more your style. Modern wine storage is sometimes contained to cabinet space, as opposed to occupying a cellar. An Evolution Series wine rack, for example, is more suited to a modern wine cellar than wooden racks might be.
A Transitional Wine Cellar
If your taste in wine cellars falls somewhere between a modern and a traditional wine cellar, then a hybrid, or ‘transitional design’ might be a better choice. Transitional styles combines the best features of both a modern and more traditional wine cellar design. For instance, you may want wooden wine cabinets below and metal racks on the upper portion of the walls.
Finishing Touches
No matter the style of your wine cellar, certain features may be chosen to perfect the storage space. Lighting is standard, though you can get as elaborate as you like in highlighting the wine with your lighting system. You can choose to have a tasting nook with or without seating. A sound system is a nice touch, especially if your modern, transitional, or traditional wine cellar is meant to showcase your wine collection for guests.
Welcome to Rosehill Wine Cellar’s blog where we share our creativity and offer insights into the best practices for storing fine wines. Our blog details how recent scientific advancements meet old world traditions in the wine cellars we design and build. We display our installations and reveal our inspirations as we extol innovation across the entire industry. Our original photos and authentic stories celebrate good wine cellar designs and wherever possible we showcase the work of our experts and their efforts to further the art and science of proper wine storage.