Built In Wine Coolers

The built-in wine coolers we have in our collection are designed to be built into kitchens, typically under your kitchen counters. Additionally, built-in wine coolers are versatile which means that they can usually be used as a freestanding model too.

They are designed to match up with the rest of your kitchen cabinets and in general, the most popular built in wine coolers are the 300mm wide and 600mm wide, however, brands like Dunavox and mQuvee have released more unique sizes in their built-in and under-counter wine cooler range.

What Widths are Available in Built-In Wine Coolers?

The various widths for the built-in range are 150mm, 300mm, 400mm, 500mm and 600mm widths. Regardless of the width you need, we have the right unit for you. In general, the wine coolers will have a base height of 820mm with adjustable feet up to 880-890mm, we do have a couple of units available which have a base height of 880mm which are more suited to German handleless kitchens - see link here.

Installing an Undercounter Wine Cooler

A built-in wine cooler is designed to sit underneath a worktop, the ventilation grille at the front of the unit means all the ventilation is through the plinth, this should never be blocked as it can lead to overheating, read more on troubleshooting here. Their components and features enable you to place a built-in wine fridge pretty much anywhere, so if you need to free up kitchen space and you have floor space to spare, you can place your built-in wine fridge as a freestanding unit.

Before installing your built-in wine cooler, be sure to check the product dimensions, installation requirements and the manufacturer’s directions. Built-in wine coolers, much like integrated wine coolers, have specific installation instructions, some of our brands such as Liebherr and Swisscave have more technical installs so please contact us prior to purchasing if you have any queries.

In most cases, you’ll need to leave around 2 or 3mm of space around the unit so the air can flow freely. Failing to follow the manufacturer’s instructions during installation can result in you damaging the unit and voiding the warranty.

In most installations it is just a case of sliding the built-in wine cooler under the countertop and adjusting the legs so that they are flush with the worktop, some manufacturers provide sliders so that you can easily slide the built-in unit under the countertop without damaging the legs or floor tiles so be sure to use them if they are available.

Once the wine cooler is positioned under the countertop, if the delivery crew have not yet attached the handle to your built-in wine cooler then usually it will be easily attached with a screwdriver or Allen key - just pull the door seal back and this will give you access to the screws.

Built-In Wine Coolers - Key Features

Built-in wine coolers are best sellers for many reasons - not only do they integrate perfectly into kitchen space, but they’re full of practical features.

For example, our built-in wine coolers feature LED lighting, allowing you to display your wine in the best possible way. Many wine fridges feature white or warm yellow lighting, but at Elite Wine, we have a variety of LED lighting options available for your wine cooler.

You can also find wine coolers at Elite Wine Refrigeration that feature Push2Open doors - making it easier than ever to access your wine. Our wine coolers typically feature reversible doors, giving you flexibility during installation.

From multi-temperature zones to humidity control and UV protection, read on to learn more about the key features of built-in wine coolers.

Single, Zone or Multi-Temperature Zones

Another key feature of our built-in wine coolers is temperature zones. Traditionally, wine fridges would maintain just one temperature throughout the unit. These are known as single-zone wine fridges.

However, as technology has developed, and we have a further understanding of the importance of wine storage, wine coolers can now feature two or three temperature zones.

Multi and dual-zone wine coolers are the best choices if you have a varied collection, as they allow you to store your reds and whites at their optimal storage temperatures. Likewise, if you plan on storing some of your bottles for serving and storing others in the long term, a dual-zone wine fridge allows you to store some bottles at serving temperature and others at long-term storage temperature.

In the long term, wine is best stored within the temperature range of 11°C and 14°C - however, reds and whites have different serving temperatures. White wines are best served slightly more chilled, whereas full-bodied reds are best served at room temperature.

Our multi-zone wine coolers use polyvalent technology to achieve three temperature zones within a unit, with the top of the cooler being the warmest, and the bottom being the most chilled.

Humidity Control

Our selection of built-in wine coolers features humidity regulation - which is a must-have for long-term wine storage. Humidity is needed during wine storage so the cork remains moist. If you store your wine in an environment that is too dry, the cork could dry out, slip out of place, and expose your wine to oxygen. If you store your wine horizontally, your wine could leak over other bottles.

If you are only storing your wine for a short period of time - for example, for serving - then you don’t need to worry too much about humidity. However, if you’re storing your wine for long periods, such as for ageing, then you should choose a quality wine cooler that regulates humidity.

UV Protection

Unless you plan on installing your built-in wine fridge in your basement, your wine fridge needs UV protection. UV rays such as the ones found in sunlight can cause irreparable damage to your wine collection - causing a ‘light strike’. This can leave your wine tasting sour and generally unpleasant - so it’s always best to choose a built-in wine cooler with UV protection.

At Elite Wine, we have a variety of door options available to choose from - whether it be solid blackout doors, UV-treated glass doors, reversible doors, and even Push2Open doors.

Energy Efficiency

In today's world, it is important to be mindful of the energy consumption of the appliances we use in our homes. An energy-efficient wine cooler not only helps reduce your carbon footprint but also helps you save on your electricity bill.

This energy-efficient design not only reduces your carbon footprint but also helps you save money on your electricity bills. In addition, our built-in wine coolers are equipped with a vibration-dampening system, which reduces the noise level and extends the lifespan of the compressor. This means that not only are you getting a reliable and efficient wine storage solution, but you are also getting a product that is designed to last.

The energy-efficient design and vibration-dampening system make our built-in wine coolers an excellent investment for wine enthusiasts who value quality, reliability, and sustainability. By choosing built-in wine coolers, you can store your wine collection with peace of mind, knowing that you are getting a product that is both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Additionally, the walls and doors of the coolers are insulated, which helps to prevent heat transfer, maintaining the desired temperature and reducing the energy required to cool the interior. Finally, the built-in wine coolers feature LED lighting, which not only provides an elegant look but also consumes less energy than traditional lighting.

Noise Level

Another important aspect of a built-in wine cooler is its noise level. No one wants an appliance that constantly disrupts the tranquillity of their home. Our built-in wine coolers have been designed to operate quietly, without any significant noise disturbance.

One of the factors that contribute to the noise level of a wine cooler is the compressor. We have incorporated a low-vibration compressor in their coolers, which helps to reduce noise. Additionally, the doors of the built-in coolers are insulated, which further helps to reduce noise levels.

It is also important to ensure proper ventilation when installing a built-in wine cooler, as this can help to reduce noise levels even further. We suggest leaving a gap of at least 2-3 inches between the cooler and surrounding cabinetry to allow for proper ventilation. With these noise-reducing features, our built-in wine coolers operate quietly, without disrupting the peaceful ambience of your home.

Choosing the Right Size Built-In Wine Cooler for Your Home

Choosing the right size built-in wine cooler for your home is crucial to ensure that you have enough storage space for your wine collection. One of the essential factors to consider is the available space where you plan to install the wine cooler.

You should measure the area to ensure that the model you choose fits into the space. Another critical factor is the bottle capacity of the wine cooler. Determine how many bottles you want to store and choose a model with sufficient capacity.

You can find built-in wine coolers that store anywhere from 12 to 166 bottles, so consider the size of your collection before making a decision. You also need to think about the type of wine you plan to store, as some bottles are larger than others.

Finally, consider future growth in your collection, as you may need more space than you currently require. By taking all of these factors into account, you can select the perfect size built-in wine cooler for your home.

How Many Bottles Can Built-In Wine Coolers Hold?

Much like freestanding wine coolers and integrated wine coolers, built-in wine coolers can vary in size and capacity depending on what space you have available.

Regardless of how much space you have under your kitchen counters, you’re sure to find the right-sized built-in wine cooler for you.

Most built-in wine coolers have a bottle capacity of between 30 and 50 bottles, although, of course, there are exceptions. Built-in wine fridges are well-suited to medium-sized wine collections. At Elite Wine Refrigeration, the capacity of our built-in wine coolers ranges from just eight bottles up to 194 bottles.

Wine coolers are designed to accommodate standard 750ml Bordeaux bottles - so if you plan on storing larger bottles (for example, Champagne bottles), then the overall capacity of the wine cooler will decrease.

Many built-in wine coolers measure 15cm, 30cm, 40cm, 60cm or 68cm. Whether you’re looking for a slimline wine cooler, a tall wine cooler, or a wide built-in wine cooler, explore our range of built-in wine fridges today to find the ultimate wine storage solution for you and your wine collection.

Built in wine cooler FAQS:

For an undercounter unit the widest unit available is 600mm wide, to achieve 1000mm in width it would be a case of installing 2 500mm wide undercounter models side by side and reversing the door. The widest kitchen base unit is 600mm wide which is why this is the widest that they go.

We do have taller units which are 655mm wide and can be built in, they are manufactured by Dunavox and available in single or dual zone models with a capacity of 181 bottles.

Yes, we have a small range of undercounter units which allow you to attach your own cabinet door to the front of them, they are called 'fully integrated wine coolers.

There are a range of sizes but the Dunavox ones are probably the most usable as most of them are 'self-ventilating' which means you can completely cover the door and not have to worry about the ventilation at all

If you are using your built in wine cooler for purely service temperatures of wine, for example, white wine at 5°C and red wine at 18°C, then no, charcoal filters are only of benefit if you are storing wine for long periods of time. Providing the humidity is right in the cooler as well, above 55%, then there will be no effects on the taste/smell of the wine.

Yes, the products we provide are all quiet running machines which also means it takes very little energy to run them. Low energy consumption means low vibrations as the compressor is not having to start up and shutdown all the time. All of the units we provide have the cooling system mounted on rubber dampers which means there is no vibration from the compressor and your wines can chill in peace!

This depends on the unit but in general, it is quite simple, in most cases, we can reverse the door prior to sending the wine cooler out so please inquire about this service prior to ordering. If you find yourself needing to reverse the door then the manufacturer's instructions will have a guide on how to do this but we usually recommend removing the top hinge first rather than the bottom hinge as the screws can be quite tight at the bottom.

In March 2021 the energy labels changed so that manufacturer's could start making their products even more energy efficient as we already had A+++ fridge freezers. This means that what was once rated A, was downgraded to G with a view to improve this over time.

However, built in wine coolers, were already very efficient as they are not rated in the same way as normal fridge freezers and generally use around a third of the energy of said fridge freezer.

As you may have found, all the capacities are stated in Bordeaux bottles, in general, if any larger bottles are stored then this will reduce the stated capacity. You will also find that the majority of units are built around the smaller, Bordeaux bottle so should you want to store anything larger it may be a case of removing a shelf.

If you are looking to store Champagne or Magnums, some manufacturers like Swisscave and Dunavox have started to manufacture their units with space on some shelves for larger bottles such as the top and bottom shelves.

There are very few premia undercounter beer fridges available on the market today but we have managed to source some from Sweden, the mQuvee brand has a good range of beer fridges which we can also source the matching wine fridges so should you have any requests for this please contact us