Very clear,with excelent ideas which I have not found in other books sofar, for the ones that really want to get to the bottom of it

This book has been extremely helpful. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed when I received it as it wasn't covered in color pictures of steps along the way, as other books include. However, in browsing other books they fail to address the details and precautions based on experience that the author's instructions provide. The author does a great job of defining the steps, yet allowing the reader to develop his own designs to suit his needs. Books with pictures would tend to sway the reader to try to build what they see. Thanks again for developing this guide.

This book has been extremely helpful. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed when I received it as it wasn't covered in color pictures of steps along the way, as other books include. However, in browsing other books they fail to address the details and precautions based on experience that the author's instructions provide. The author does a great job of defining the steps, yet allowing the reader to develop his own designs to suit his needs. Books with pictures would tend to sway the reader to try to build what they see. Thanks again for developing this guide.

I've used this book with great success, building two wine cellars of our own, and advising a number of other people on problems they faced in their own cellars.

It's been vetted on a number of the wine discussion groups, in particular one the WineLovers Page where 25 to 30 different people have used it, and commented on it favorably.

Folks might be interested in the sort of problems you may have building a wine cellar; from recent email correspondence:

Hi Bob: Hope this finds you well and enjoying the holidays. So, I've got my wine cellar built and seems to be well-insulated, after adding a couple coats of paint on the interior walls and some molding, I'll be ready to bring the wine in.

*****

Hi ______: Let's plan to get together soon -- I'll send you some dates after the first.

Two thoughts: go very slow with painting the interior of the wine cellar unless aesthetics are very important. In a closed space, you can get some incredible aromas from paint. I've lent out my copy of Gold, and can't remember his specific advice, but my vague memory is that he said don't paint. You might want to post on that question -- I don't remember anyone discussing it. We didn't paint either cellar but we didn't care about aesthetics. I do remember being at a tasting in Glen Rock where the paint smell -- especially with the high humidity -- persisted for years and clung to the paper in the bottles. Didn't affect the taste once I was away from the bottle, but it would have been unpleasant at the table. ...

*****

Thanks Bob. Unfortunately you got me just after I put a coat of primer in the room, and I was surprised just how much it stunk. (No, it was not discussed in my thread!) Fortunately we have glass sliders on the cellar, not far from this wine room, and it's a nice warm day (even here) and I'm hoping the smell can clear. At least there's no wine around for the time being, but now I'll have to figure on whether to put a coat of something else on there that can hopefully cover up the odor.

*****

Note: Readers of this review can find out what Gold has to say about painting inside the wine cellar by searching in the book on this page. In summary, he suggests that if you use drywall, paint with two coats of water based primer and two coats of water based paint. In the alternative, use a material other than drywall, and don't paint at all.

*****

Practicality is very, very important in the wine cellar world, and it's very hard to think of everything. Richard Gold becomes a very good friend indeed. As my friend's experience suggests, read the book first -- and often as construction proceeds. Even experienced builders make mistakes in this specialized field.

I've used this book with great success building two wine cellars of our own, and advising a number of other people on problems they faced in their own cellars.

It's been vetted on a number of the wine discussion groups, in particular one the WineLovers Page where 25 to 30 different people have used it, and commented on it favorably.

Folks might be interested in the sort of discussions you may have about a home built wine cellar; from recent email correspondence:

From a friend:

Hope this finds you well and enjoying the holidays. So, I've got my wine cellar built and seems to be well-insulated, a couple coats of paint on the interior walls and some molding and I'll be ready to bring the wine in.

I've been surprised how cool the temperature is within the room, however. I bought a new digital min/max thermometer and over the holiday week it's been around 47-48F. Will probably get colder still I imagine over the winter. I know you were talking about your walls being as cold as 40F and your floor as cold as 30F and you're in a relatively similar climate. Does keeping the floor uninsulated = act as a heat sink = brings the warm air down from higher up? Or would I better off putting down a proper carpet or flooring to bring the temperature up just a little bit? I feel like I could do with it.

Ross: Let's plan to get together soon -- I'll send you some dates after the first.

Two thoughts: go very slow with painting the interior of the wine cellar unless aesthetics are very important. In a closed space, you can get some incredible aromas from paint. I've lent out my copy of Gold, and can't remember his specific advice, but my vague memory is that he said don't paint. You might want to post on that question -- I don't remember anyone discussing it. We didn't paint either cellar but we didn't care about aesthetics. I do remember being at a tasting in Glen Rock where the paint smell -- especially with the high humidity -- persisted for years and clung to the paper in the bottles. Didn't affect the taste once I was away from the bottle, but it would have been unpleasant at the table.

I would try putting a rug on the floor this winter and monitor the temps. I found that the mats with holes in them made it nicer for me -- I wander around barefoot or with light slippers -- shoes aren't permitted in Janet's house -- :) We found that rugs or mats didn't really affect temps much -- they get to the same temps and aren't much of a heat sink or provide much insulation if any.

*****
Note: you can find out what Gold has to say about painting inside the wine cellar by searching in the book on this page. With drywall, paint with two coats of water based primer and paint, or use another material altogether.

*****

Practicality is very, very important in the wine cellar world, and it's very hard to think of everything. Richard Gold becomes a very good friend indeed.

Very highly recommended.

I've used this book with great success building two wine cellars of our own, and advising a number of other people on problems they faced in their own cellars.

It's been vetted on a number of the wine discussion groups, in particular one the WineLovers Page where 25 to 30 different people have used it, and commented on it favorably.

Very highly recommended.

Richard Gold's book is the consummate cellar dweller's guide to designing and building a wine cellar for the home. Through detailed examinations of wall sections, insulation, cooling units, moisture and temperature control and other considerations, Gold evaluates a variety of techniques and technologies applying analysis and personal experience to highlight the most promising strategies. His generally noninterventionist approach to cellar design is a refreshing alternative to the propositions of the cooling unit manufacturers, reinforcing the importance of proper design and superinsulation strategies - which hold the promise of improved reliability as well as reduced dependence upon your local energy company. Needs some additional editing, but definitely a recommended read for anyone contemplating construction of a new home cellar.

If you are planning to build or are building a wine cellar you need this book, it is the source. Dr. Gold draws on his experiences and research in building his own cellar and offers clear explanations as to the "why's" and concise specifications for the "how's". I bought edition 3 for myself and my contractor to guide the construction of my passive cellar that has maintained a steady 54 degrees thru its first winter and 60 degrees thru the summer.
Picked up edition 4 to see what's new - updates on newest construction materials and new information on sourcing wines and wine info thru the internet.