WineBoard
Cellar lighting - Printable Version

+- WineBoard (https://www.wines.com/wineboard)
+-- Forum: RESOURCES AND OTHER STUFF (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-300.html)
+--- Forum: Storage/Cellars/Racking (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-43.html)
+--- Thread: Cellar lighting (/thread-21696.html)

Pages: 1 2


- hotwine - 09-20-2002

Have been arm-wrestlin' this subject for a few months, trying to come up with a solution that fits the old storm cellar (that is now refrigerated). Problem is the concrete walls have been covered with blue foamcore insulation (did that a couple of years ago), so that there's nothing for any light fixtures to be mounted to. Had planned to use directional spots from each corner, but the foamcore argued against that. So, a few days ago, decided to install firring strips around the ceiling-wall junctures. Used 1" X 4" pine, and simply wedged them into the ceiling junctures, ensured a snug fit, then today used "cable staples" to secure rope-lights all around. Had purchased about 25 feet of the rope-lights from Home Depot (actually available in various lengths), and that works great - provides just enough illumination of the entire cellar without generating a lot of heat. Think I paid about $15 for the coil of rope-light. Simply plug it into an outlet and we're in business. If any other do-your-selfers have a cellar lighting problem, suggest you consider rope-lights; I'm happy with the way it turned out.<P>Tiredoftotingaflashlighttothecellar


- Thomas - 09-20-2002

Geez, in line with the sadness connected to losing the cork tradition, in the old days there was no electricity in the cellar, Whaddayu a progressive or sumthin'?


- winoweenie - 09-21-2002

WHAZZAT!!!!! Nothing beats a nice candle.WW


- hotwine - 09-21-2002

Candles would be nice, but wouldn't stand a chance in the hurricane winds of the chiller (You've seen the exterminator commercial, showing a lady inviting guests into her home and they have to swing from an overhead ladder past some huge fans that she uses to repel bugs? That's my cellar.) As for carrying a flashlight: don't know how many times I've trekked out there (about 55 yards from the house), only to realize I didn't bring a light, and had to come back to the house to retrieve one, then backtrack to the cellar, muttering and grumbling all the way - "Someday, I'm going to install lighting in that @#$@%^!" "Someday" finally arrived. Showed it off to the Better Half this morning, and she approved.


- Thomas - 09-21-2002

I've heard that a real knowledgeable wine person can tell a wine in the dark by just feeling the label; there was a big article on this in the WS, which claims its staff goes through rigorous training, sans lighting, to prove that they are truly in the dark...<P>The article got a 99 on my 100-point scale!<p>[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 09-21-2002).]


- hotwine - 09-21-2002

Heh heh. Love it.


- hotwine - 10-07-2002

Yesterday after church my neighbor the electrician completed wiring of the cellar: the chiller is now hard-wired to its own circuit breaker, and other breakers are now devoted to internal and external outlets and lighting. The rope-lights are wired to their own switch just inside the door. Nice.


- Bucko - 10-07-2002

It is about time that you got rid of that bicycle generator and came into the 21st century, you old geezer.<P>Sounds great! I just have plain old can lights in my cellar, but they are on a dimmer switch so that I do not heat up the place.<P>BuckWheezer


- hotwine - 10-07-2002

And welcome back, Wheezer. Looking forward to reading your TN's from the Loire.


- Bucko - 10-07-2002

You don't want to hear it, Gil. I went to Huet and Champalou (two of my favorites) and managed to get 1985 Huet Moelleux and 1990 Champalou for about $20 a bottle -- I hauled a case back through the airport on my back. I would hve purchased 20 cases if I could have figured a way to haul them. The wines were terrific, full of minerals, fruit and acidity. I love these wines! The people were sooooo friendly, gave a lot of their time, and were most pleasant. The people who complain that the French are rude are FOS. All that you have to do is show interest and try to speak a little French. They love Americanos (except Texans of course). ;-)<P>Bucko


- hotwine - 10-08-2002

Argh! What a trip!<P>I agree about the French being friendly and helpful if you'll just try to speak the language. On the few occasions when they've snubbed my mangled French, reverting to German seemed to get their attention. Heh-heh.


- Innkeeper - 10-08-2002

Some of my best friends are French, but having lived there two months one time, and two years another time, most are rude and chauvinistic.


- winoweenie - 10-08-2002

In the words of the immortal bard IK, " What the blazes does this have to do with cellar lighting? " (hehehe) WW <IMG SRC="http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif">


- winedope1 - 10-08-2002

winewinewine...lightslightslights


- Hal - 10-21-2002

When my wine cellar is finished in a year or so, I expect to have a single flourescent fixture behind a soffet. My guests will never see this light however. I'll say "Let's go choose a bottle of wine from the cellar" as I light the three beeswax tapers on a rather Gothic candelabra and we descend into the basement. Once downstairs, against the rough hewn granite of the foundation at the back end of the house, I pull gently on an iron wall sconce, and the heavy oak door of the wine cellar clicks open. We duck slightly to clear the passageway and I set the candelabra down on a barrel. The air is still and cool as the shadows dance among the wooden racks. I flash a grin at my guest and say "Shall we open a '99 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, or go crazy and have the 1997 Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva?"<p>[This message has been edited by Hal (edited 10-21-2002).]


- hotwine - 10-21-2002

The beeswax tapers would be useless in the face of the hurricane-force winds from my refrigeration unit. Even the spiders, roaches and salamanders that have lived in there for years have now decided the old cellar has become too inhospitable to stick around, and rush past me when I open the inner door. Hehe.


- winoweenie - 10-22-2002

Never got around to installing any lighting in my cellar. Have found my trusty flashlight and a 100 watt floor lamp give me the necessary to stumble around and find something. WW


- Thomas - 10-22-2002

Hal, don't forget to play the tape of creaking doors and weird music when you go down there...a few rats for a snack would be a good idea too, but only if the wines were imported by Renfield Importers.<P><p>[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 10-22-2002).]


- Innkeeper - 10-22-2002

Great story Hal. Have a couple of brass candle holders with handles. Think I will keep one with well dripped candle in it at top of cellar stairs.


- Hal - 10-22-2002

Foodie, how could I forget the creaking door?<BR>Silly as it sounds, I do expect to have some semblance of the situation described above.<BR>Also, I will need at least a few bottles designed to collect dust...and a cask of Amontillado.