Wine cellars are becoming a must-have in the Brandywine Valley, as more wine collectors add them to their homes to safeguard their collections, writes Roger Morris for The Hunt.
West Chester-based architect Richard Buchanan has noticed that the dream homes he designs throughout the region now often include cellars.
“Since the pandemic, there’s definitely been an uptick in interest to make one’s home more of a sanctuary for one’s own interests, with opportunities to share at-home experiences with family and friends,” he said.
To ensure vintage wine bottles have long and healthy lives, wine cellars need to be cool – not frigid – and have subdued lighting or none at all, with little vibration. It is important to store the bottles on their sides instead of upright, to make sure that the corks stay moist and plump and to prevent any oxygen from seeping in as the wine ages.
However, while most people tend to install wine cellars in their basements, there are also several other locations to consider.
“Another popular place is just off the kitchen or the dining room,” said Don Cochran, owner of Cellarium Wine Cellars in Coatesville.
Read more about wine lovers in the Brandywine Valley in The Hunt.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA Today in March 2025.
