Seeking Opinions: Wine Cellar Organization

Congratulations on the cellar!

Good questions. I did regions/sub-regions & varietals/producers/vintages in ascending years. It worked for a while, but the collections grew faster than I drank. Also, I've found my Cabs stealing space from my Ports, my Zins displacing my Pinot Noirs, etc. Bordeaux has moved all of Italy to the larger open bins! Also, if I pick up a half-case of Colgin, then I have to squeeze it into the space between Berringer and Dalla Valle! A lot of moving the bottles around, especially in the upper rows, where I can't reach from end to end. Yes, I do reorganize the cellar much more often than I'd like, or even should. I tried to plan it all out, but after living with it for some years now, think I'd make major design modifications. As to the best arrangement - dang if I know. I've thought about regions/vintages/sub-regions/producers, and almost every combination of these, but none seem to be without hassles. I guess that the only answer would be to have at least 4x the space needed, and just not buy faster than I can drink!

Your idea of placing the younger ones on the bottom is good, until the next vintage. I might just say the heck with it, do Regions and then code the entire matrix alpha/numeric and start logging in by slot, i.e. A-26, and saying the heck with the order. But then, I'll have to spend a week in the cellar with the laptop - maybe when Summer hits AZ and I need a week's air conditioned vacation...

I'd suggest, though, a bin, or two that will hold those wines that you KNOW you'll consume much sooner, than later. Maybe choose one closer to the door.

In the same quandry, after all these years. Hunt

Too much wine, too little time.

Thanks, I never thought it would be so much work to move/place my meager wine collection.

There are some wines I know I will buy year after year... Most know this, but JJ Prum WS Spatlese is one of them. I did put the 2003 Kabinetts close to the door. I made one mistake with the cellar. When the door is open, the light is on. when it is closed, its off (and I have proven that !). So, I cant spend too much time in there without a flashlight. I just cant figure out where to put the Prum Graach and my one off bottles like 97 Grange, 01 Ducru, 2000 Dows Vintage Port and the 10 year old Miles Maderia that I hope I can keep from opening for a few more years.

Walter

Put them way in the back, near the floor, and hang neck tags that say "White Zin" on them. That way you will not be tempted to drink them any time soon!

Yes, lighting is a bit of a challenge. I put a "porch" light in near the door (mine is an exterior door on the lower deck), that acts like a reminder that the main interior light is ON. Some dark nights, however, I wish that it was not so and that I could switch it on to find the locks better - maybe a switch at knee-level should my hands be full of wine. I've learned which key goes into which lock just by feel. Oh, if I could only start the cellar all over again with the years of experience that I NOW have. I still don't know that I could come up with a fail-safe plan for the organization though. Good luck.

Hunt