A Carboy in Every Closet Philosophy

Don't Have a Closet--Try the carbouy in every closet philosophy. Having lived in Southern California for a year, I came to realize that many homes in the country do not have basements (or cellars), especially in areas that may be swampy or close to water. Having lived in the Northeast for most of my life, the concept of not having a basement was a little strange, but after acclimating to Southern California—I got used life without a basement.

In addition, there are many aspiring wine makers throughout the country that live in apartment buildings or in homes in which they may not have access to a basement (or cellar). Where does one store large batches of wine if you do not have basement? The answer is simple - use your closet.

The nice thing about making wine is that quantities can be made in any size - from 1 gallon at a time up to 55 gallons at time. Batches of five gallons may be the ideal size for the home wine-maker without a cellar, as a five gallon carboy only takes up a footprint of about one square foot in a closet, and it is of a reasonable weight to easily move. (A five gallon carboy full of wine weighs about 40 lbs.)

The most important aspect about storing wine is that it be done in a cool, dark, dry place that does not undergo rapid temperature fluctuations. Although a cellar may be ideal for storing wine, a five gallon carboy filled with wine will easily fit in a standard closet, and still allow for storage of many other items in the closet.

If you wish to make multiple five gallon batches of wine, numerous carboys may be distributed throughout closets in your house or apartment. Other places to store wine carboys include:

• In a kitchen cabinet
• Under a sink
• In a garage (only in areas that maintain a Mediterranean like climate such as CA coast. Other regions of the country may exhibit temperatures that are too extreme).
• In an old refrigerator with a few of the shelves removed to allow room for a carboy (set the temperature at the warmest setting).
• In a utility rooms / washroom

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a cellar for wine making. Lacking a cellar should not deter home winemakers! Be creative!