The Do's and Don'ts of Storing Wine in a Restaurant

Ensuring that a fine bottle of wine delivers its authentic taste is a challenge every restaurant or bar owner faces. Following the basic dos and don'ts of storing wine in restaurants is crucial because wine is sensitive and an expensive investment. Even minor variations in storage can shift its flavor, aroma, and character. To consistently provide a five-star customer experience, understanding proper wine storage becomes as essential as selecting the right ingredients for a dish.

The Basics of Wine Preservation

Understanding the fundamental wine preservation complexities can make the difference between an ordinary wine list and an extraordinary wine experience. When exploring restaurant wine storage ideas, prioritize solutions that address these fundamental principles.

The Role of Temperature in Wine Storage

• Every wine type has its optimal storage temperature. For example, full-bodied reds flourish between 60-65°F, while lighter whites prefer 50-55°F.
• Stable temperatures prevent wine spoilage. Rapid shifts can result in the cork expanding and contracting, potentially letting in the air and leading to oxidation.
• Implementing restaurant wine storage solutions that offer consistent temperature control is pivotal. Options like wine cellars or specialized restaurant wine storage cabinets can be investments that safeguard wine quality.

Oxidation: Air’s Impact on Wine

• A little air can help wine, especially young reds, to open up and express their flavors. However, prolonged exposure can be a wine's downfall.
• Closures, like corks or screw caps, play a crucial role. Horizontal storage, often seen in wine rack restaurant setups, keeps corks moist and ensures a tighter seal.
• For wines intended for by-the-glass service, consider wine preservation systems. They replace the air in an open bottle with inert gas, stalling the oxidation process.

The Do's and Don’ts of Storing Wines in Restaurants

Several factors must be considered to ensure the wine's quality and taste remain top-notch when storing wines in restaurants. Although these principles also apply to home wine storage, they are particularly critical in a restaurant setting, where customer satisfaction and, ultimately, your reputation are on the line.

Do’s

Store wine at the right temperature

Temperature is the most crucial aspect of wine storage. Different wines require different temperatures, most falling between 45° and 65°F. Choose a dual-zone wine storage unit to keep the different types of wines at their ideal temperature whenever possible.

Ensure correct humidity levels.

Humidity plays a crucial role in wine storage. A humidity level of about 70% is ideal as it prevents the cork from drying out and letting air into the bottle, which could spoil the wine. Many wine coolers come with built-in humidity control, an excellent investment for restaurants.

Keep wine away from light.

Excessive exposure to light, especially sunlight, can degrade and prematurely age wine. It is best to store wine in a dark place or at least ensure that artificial light is not too intense. This can be managed in restaurants by choosing a suitable storage location or using specially designed wine fridges with UV-protected glass.

Position wine bottles correctly

Generally, wine bottles should be stored on their side. This keeps the cork moist, which helps prevent it from drying out and cracking, thus maintaining an airtight seal. The layout of your restaurant's wine racks or cellars should facilitate this horizontal storage.

Regularly check the condition of stored wines.

Regularly inspect your restaurant's wine collection. Look for indications of spoilage, like leaking or a protruding cork. This helps maintain the quality of your offerings and shows your customers that you care about providing them with the best possible wine experience.

Don'ts

As important as it is to know what to do when storing wine in a restaurant, it's equally crucial to understand what not to do.

Avoid temperature fluctuations

Keep your wine storage areas consistent. Dramatic temperature swings can damage wine, so invest in wine cooling units that provide constant cooling even during power outages.

Avoid strong-smelling foods

Wine cork can absorb the aroma of its surroundings. Keep it away from strong odors, especially in a kitchen with various scents. Storing wine in a  glass-enclosed wine cellar can help prevent this from happening.

Don't store wine upright for extended periods.

Storing wine upright can dry out the cork, potentially spoiling the wine. Always aim to keep wine bottles horizontally.

Avoid unnecessary vibration

Excessive movement can disturb the sediment in the wine, affecting its aging process and taste. Find a calm, quiet space for your wine storage in your restaurant. Or find sturdy storage solutions so your bottles are protected from constant shaking.

Wine Storage Solutions for Restaurants

Different types of wines require varied storage solutions, and understanding what works best for your collections can make a huge difference for your business. Here are some common ways to store wine effectively:

1. Wine coolers or refrigerators

These are specially designed to maintain an ideal temperature and humidity for wine. Wine coolers can provide a stable environment, minimizing the degradation risks due to temperature fluctuations or improper humidity. For restaurants, every bottle opened will be at its best and make a positive impression on your customers.

Le Cache Contemp 5200 Wine Cabinet 

A sleek, large-capacity wine cabinet for your restaurant, this model provides ideal conditions for long-term wine storage and aging.

Key Features

• High Storage Capacity: With racked storage for 544 bottles and bulk storage for 78 bottles, this cabinet accommodates extensive wine collections, perfect for your growing bar.
• Advanced Temperature and Humidity Control: The advanced CellarPro cooling unit offers digital control, maintaining ideal conditions for preserving your wine's quality.
• Quality Construction: Constructed with sealed seams, premium insulation, and tinted double-paned glass, this cabinet provides superior thermal and UV protection.

Why It's Worth the Investment:

When it comes to wine storage, a stable environment is crucial in maintaining taste and quality. This wine cabinet goes beyond ordinary coolers and refrigerators with its advanced CellarPro cooling unit, creating the best microclimate for your wines. Its sleek and contemporary design will fit your modern and elegant establishment.

2. Wine cellars or basements

Traditionally, wine has been stored in cellars due to their naturally cool and stable temperatures. If your restaurant has space, a wine cellar can be an excellent place to store and display your collection. It ensures the quality of your wines and can serve as an aesthetic accent to your establishment, enhancing your restaurant's ambiance and allure for wine enthusiasts.

VITRUS Glass Enclosed Wine Cellar - Model C

This sophisticated wine cellar offers an elegant display that your customers will admire and a storage solution that your wine bottles will love.

Key Features

• Design Flexibility: Available as a "Bare-Shell" option (without interior finishes and racking system) or a "Furnished" option (including all interior finishes and racking system), giving you flexibility in choosing what suits your needs.
• Quality Construction: The enclosure is meticulously crafted, providing excellent insulation and air-tightness to maintain optimal wine storage conditions.
• Cooling Compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of popular cooling units on the market, affording you additional flexibility in maintaining ideal storage conditions.

Why It's Worth the Investment

The VITRUS Glass Enclosed Wine Cellar has superb thermal insulation. Ensuring stable temperatures is critical for wine storage, and this cellar's unique design offers high insulation levels. Its narrow frames and clear glass panels provide maximum visibility for your wine collection, making it a stunning centerpiece in your restaurant while maintaining optimal storage conditions for the wines.

3. Wine racks

While wine racks do not control temperature or humidity, they provide an ideal and sturdy way to store wine bottles horizontally, keeping the cork wet. They also make the organization more manageable, allowing you to quickly locate specific bottles. This can be essential in a restaurant setting when timely service is paramount.

W Series Floating Wine Rack Kit

Portable and adaptable, this wine rack kit features patented commercial-grade steel racks and a framing system, allowing any open space in your restaurant to become a captivating display of your wine collection.

Key Features:

• Scalable Customization: This kit can store multiple standard wine bottles, depending on bottle depth, with the potential to add more capacity with extra W Series racking.
• Durable Construction: Durably built with high-quality steel, maintaining its strength and integrity over time.
• Contemporary Design: The modern and stunning design is perfect for any stylish setting, from a chic restaurant to a trendy home.

Why It's Worth the Investment

Whether you're dealing with a small storage space or offering an extensive option to your customers, this wine rack kit can adapt to meet your needs. Its floating design gives a contemporary feel to any space, all while offering a durable, reliable storage solution for your wine collection. It's a modern, practical, and versatile choice for those keen on displaying their wines without compromising space or style.

4. Wine lockers

Ideal for restaurants with an extensive wine collection, wine lockers are secure shelves for crates, cases, or bins of several bottles. They allow for easy display of your collection while protecting it from theft. This balances the aesthetic need to showcase your selection with the practical necessity of security.

Locker Tall Kit from Case & Crate Series

A unique blend of style and security, this locker kit offers a contemporary and modular system ideal for securing your finest vintages, perfect for commercial or home use. 

Key Features:

• Ample Storage: The locker kit reaches nearly 7 feet in height and can fill entire walls or frame other wine racks, offering substantial storage space.
• Secure and Modular: Each locker can be securely locked, protecting valuable wines in restaurants or personal collections at home. Its modularity also makes it adaptable to various spaces.
• High-Quality Construction: Crafted from 18-gauge steel, this locker kit promises longevity and durability.

Why It's Worth the Investment

Its secure, lockable doors make it an excellent option for restaurants wanting to open a lucrative locker membership program or for homeowners wishing to keep exceptional vintages safe. Its versatile design allows it to blend seamlessly with other wine racks or become a standalone statement piece. It's a safe, stylish, and practical investment for your collection.

Learn how to easily install this product in this video from VintageView.

5. Wine Keeper or Wine Preservation Systems

These systems are a boon for restaurants that serve wines by the glass. The system uses a pressurized blanket of inert nitrogen or argon to protect wine from oxidation and spoiling. This allows opened bottles of wine to maintain their optimal quality over an extended period, reducing waste and increasing profitability. There's enough room to hold a few backup bottles at the proper temperature behind the dispensing bottle, ready to be used. This feature ensures that your customers always receive a perfectly chilled glass of wine without you throwing a good bottle because it was open for a long time.

WineKeeper Napa

A stunning, handcrafted wood wine cabinet designed to cool and dispense red and white wines by the glass, utilizing a pressurized blanket of inert gas to protect wine from oxidation.

Key Features:

• Temperature Control: The Napa maintains a specific temperature range for white (42-48°F) and red (58-64°F) wines, ensuring optimal serving temperature.
• Backup Storage: Room to hold a few backup bottles at the correct temperature behind the dispensing bottle, ready for use.
• Protection from Oxidation: The system uses a pressurized blanket of inert nitrogen or argon to guard the wine against oxidation and spoiling.

Why It's Worth the Investment

The WineKeeper Napa stands out for its dual-functionality. Not only does it enhance your wines' longevity by protecting them from oxidation, but it also serves as a dispenser. Poured directly from the WineKeeper Napa, your wines will always be at the prime serving temperature, enhancing the tasting experience. Its exquisite wood façade makes it more than just a wine storage solution. 

FAQs

What is the ideal temperature for storing wine in my restaurant?

Generally, the recommended temperature for storing wine is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. However, different wines may require slightly different temperatures. For example, red wines generally prefer the higher end of this spectrum, while white and sparkling wines favor the cooler end.

How can I control the humidity in my wine storage area?

You can manage humidity levels using a wine cooler or cellar with built-in humidity control. Invest in cooling units that have superior quality to avoid problems.

What should I do if my restaurant doesn't have a dedicated wine cellar?

Consider alternative storage solutions such as wine coolers, refrigerators, wine racks, lockers, or enclosed wine storage age. These can provide controlled conditions for storing wine. 

Can I store different types of wine together?

Yes, you can store different types of wine together. However, remember that different wine types might require slightly different storage conditions. Always aim to provide the ideal temperature and humidity for the most sensitive wine in your collection. Using a dual or multiple-zone storage unit is preferable.

How often should I inspect my wine collection?

Regularly inspecting your wine collection is a good practice. Look for signs of spoilage, like leaking or a protruding cork. Regular inspection ensures you maintain the quality of your offerings and gives your customers confidence in your wine service.

Here are some tips for restaurant owners on inspecting wine inventory:

• Inspect wine at least once a week. More frequent inspections may be needed for high-volume restaurants or wine bars.
• Start by checking storage conditions - temperature and humidity levels should be appropriate for wine storage. Make sure the lighting is minimal.
• Physically inspect bottles for signs of damage, leakage, and cork issues. Look at fill levels to check for evaporation and leakage.
• Sample wines, especially older vintages, coming close to the end of their peak drinking window. This will help identify any wines that are oxidized or over the hill.
• Pay extra attention to more expensive/rare bottles. Check high-value bottles more frequently.
• Rotate stock to ensure older vintages get used first. Check expiration dates on wines with shorter shelf lives, like whites and rosés.
• Take a complete inventory at least quarterly. This will identify any missing bottles and assess what needs to be re-ordered.
• Have a plan for inspection and documentation. Use cellar management software or simple spreadsheets to track findings.
• Train staff on basic wine inspection and storage protocols. 

Takeaway

Understanding the dos and don'ts of storing wine in restaurants is essential for maintaining the quality and integrity of the wine you serve and your establishment. Investing in suitable wine storage solutions like wine coolers, cellars, racks, and lockers can help prolong the lifespan of your collection. By following these guidelines, you can demonstrate your commitment to excellence and always provide your customers with the finest wine every time they visit.

What wine do you usually order when dining in a restaurant? 

Questions about our products? Our customer service team is ready to assist you.

Randy Green

Randy is a true wine storage aficionado and expert in wine cellar design. He gained construction experience as a partner in a general contracting business before niching into and passionately focusing on creating wine storage solutions for clients in 2016. He takes great pride in bringing these designs to life, and is dedicated to ensuring that every wine cellar he creates is not only functional but also a beautiful addition to any home or business. The Wine Cellar HQ team also includes refrigeration sizing experts and licensed HVAC technicians to ensure optimal climate control for your wine cellar, so that your wines can age to perfection.