You don’t have to procure your own vineyard to enjoy the year-round luxury of your own private stock.

On the contrary, a personal wine cellar is your passageway to the finer things in life, beginning with a superb glass of vino.

Wine cellars, or wine rooms, have been implemented into households since the time of the ancient Greeks. Once considered an indulgence only the rich and elite could afford, wine cellars eventually enjoyed widespread use by those with a simple love of the vine. Today’s wine cellars are designed according to individual taste and capacity, with fuller scales running the length of a basement and smaller models fitting easily into a corner compartment.

For those who are looking to incorporate a wine cellar into their own home, it’s essential to first assess your space to determine the best fit and value. Whether you opt for a seated bar, simple rack compartment, or full scale cellar, you will want to make sure you’re storing and sipping your vino in the right conditions. The ultimate design often depends on the wine collection itself, which begs questions such as whether you prefer a tall wine fridge or dry enclosed chamber with minimal sunlight. Additional features can include wine glass and corkscrew counters, as well as tasting stations.

There comes a time in nearly every wine enthusiast’s life where a carefully curated selection deserves more than a kitchen cupboard for storing and displaying. A wine cellar is the connoisseur’s way of savoring and sharing his selection in a manner that only a select few from bygone eras were able to lap up.