Every wine has its own requirements. A champagne does not age like a Bordeaux grand cru, a white wine does not need the same conditions as a fortified wine, and young wines often require slightly different settings compared to old vintages.
This is why one of the major challenges when planning to
design a custom wine cellar is to create a
perfectly controlled microclimate, capable of housing each type of wine under optimal conditions.
This approach is now essential in high-end wine cellars designed by architects: a single space, but organized into several technical and thermal zones for exceptional preservation.
Why create multiple zones in a custom wine cellar?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no
single ideal temperature for all wines. Each category has its own sensitivities.
Recommended storage temperatures:
- Red wines: 12–14°C
- White wines: 10–12°C
- Champagne / sparkling wines: 8–10°C
- Sweet & fortified wines: 12–14°C
- Young wines ready to drink: slightly lower to slow their evolution
- Age-worthy wines: absolute stability, central zone
In a traditional cellar, managing several microclimates was impossible.
Today, thanks to custom wine-cellar engineering, multi-zone management has become a standard in premium projects.
Creating a microclimate by zones: the technical expertise of bespoke design
Designing a multi-zone wine cellar is not just about adding multiple cooling units. The layout, air circulation, ventilation and material selection must be planned from the start.
The essential components of a successful microclimate:
- Independent temperatures
Each zone has its own cooling circuit. This ensures that fluctuations in one area never affect the others.
- Controlled ventilation
A homogeneous and continuous airflow prevents warm or humid pockets. This is essential for large cellars or glazed spaces.
- Different internal insulation
Materials must prevent thermal transfer from one zone to another. In a glazed cellar, this becomes a real technical achievement.
- Stable humidity in each zone
Certain wines — especially old vintages — require stricter humidity control to protect their corks.
- Soft, non-disruptive air circulation
No vibration, no direct airflow: preservation must remain silent and gentle.
Thanks to bespoke engineering, the wine cellar becomes a climate machine of exceptional precision.
How to organize a multi-zone wine cellar?
Architects and designers specializing in
custom wine cellars think in terms of scenography and usage.
Here are the most common layouts:
- Vertical zones
Ideal for modern glass-fronted wine cellars. Each column corresponds to a type of wine.
- Horizontal zones
Very popular in traditional cellars: top = lower temperature, bottom = higher temperature.
- Central premium zone
For age-worthy wines: the most stable temperature, perfect humidity, easy access.
- Service zone
Part of the cellar is set slightly colder to prepare bottles for serving.
- Dedicated islands
For open cellars or tasting rooms: small separate areas, sculptural design.
In a custom wine-cellar layout, the organization is defined according to the collection, available space and lifestyle of the owner.
The importance of lighting in a multi-zone cellar
Creating multiple zones is not enough: they must be visually understandable. Lighting becomes a real tool for differentiation.
Designers use:
- warm LEDs for red wines
- natural-white LEDs for whites
- cool or slightly bluish light for champagnes
- variable intensity for service zones
- directional lighting for exceptional niches
This approach transforms a designer wine cellar into a functional and intuitive space.
The advantages of a custom multi-zone wine cellar
✔ Optimal preservation for each wine type
✔ Smart management of bottle life cycles
✔ Better enhancement of the collection
✔ Improved user experience
✔ More modern and architectural aesthetic
✔ Flexibility for future acquisitions
Designing a multi-zone wine cellar means thinking long-term and offering every bottle the conditions it deserves.
Conclusion: the custom microclimate, the key to exceptional preservation
A multi-zone wine cellar is not just an aesthetic option: it is a genuine preservation tool, designed to respect the specific needs of each wine and support its natural evolution.
Thanks to a custom wine-cellar layout, enthusiasts can now enjoy a perfectly organized, stable and tailored cellar.
Each zone becomes a dedicated showcase, designed to store, enhance and prepare bottles in the best conditions.
The microclimate is no longer a promise: it is the new luxury standard in custom wine cellars.
