Skip to Content
Request a Consultation

Welcome to the Revel Journal

Revel's Journal hopes to inform, entertain and educate enthusiasts about not only good wine cellar design, but a diverse array of wine related subjects.

Modern wine cellar with backlit stone backsplash, rotating wine wheel, and pullout wine drawers

Wood Selection for Wine Cellars: Why Unfinished Hardwoods Matter

Your wine collection is constantly breathing the air around it. Choosing the wrong wood species or using heavy chemical lacquers inside a climate-controlled cellar can trigger airborne off-gassing, quietly ruining your finest vintages over time. From Fijian Mahogany to Hard Maple and Hickory, discover why furniture-grade, unfinished hardwoods are the ultimate gold standard for luxury wine preservation.

Stories 5 min read
Read the Story
glass-enclosed wine cellar with rotating wine towers

Modern Glass Wine Walls: A Design & Integration Guide

The wine cellar has officially left the basement. In modern luxury homes, the glass-enclosed "Wine Wall" is the new architectural center of gravity. But taking your collection out of the shadows and into the great room brings a specific set of engineering hurdles. From managing thermal integrity to maximizing bottle density in shallow spaces, here is how to design a wine wall that looks like a gallery and performs like a professional cellar.

Stories 4 min read
Read the Story
Close up of pullout wine drawer where you can see all the labels, 7-bottles with overlapping necks

Label-Forward vs. Neck-Out: Which Wine Racking System is Best for Your Collection?

Stop playing "wine cellar archaeology." If you’ve ever had to pull out three different bottles just to find the one you were actually looking for, your racking system is working against you. In the debate of Label-Forward vs. Neck-Out storage, the choice comes down to a balance of density, visibility, and accessibility. We break down the pros and cons of traditional racking versus modern sliding systems to help you choose a display that treats your collection like the investment it is.

Stories 4 min read
Read the Story
glass enclosed wine cellar with rotating wine racks

The Architect’s Guide to Planning a Custom Wine Cellar: 5 Things to Know Before Construction

Designing a world-class wine cellar is a high-stakes exercise in building science and mechanical coordination. As wine storage moves from the basement to high-visibility living areas, architects must master the balance between climate integrity and aesthetic impact. This technical guide outlines the five critical pillars—from vapor barrier placement to label-forward functionality—essential for delivering a high-performance luxury cellar that preserves both the collection and the home’s structural health.

Stories 4 min read
Read the Story