Luxury Miami Interior Designer and Decorator, Margarita Bravo, offers advice
for the perfect Miami wine room.
Wine lovers in South Florida may feel a little left out when seeing photos of beautifully designed wine cellars from around the world. Of course, we would love to have one in our homes, if only we were actually able to build a cellar into the ground.
Though we may not have the natural elements conducive to constructing the perfect underground cellar in Miami, we can choose to create a “wine room” in our home – if we have a little extra space.
Keeping the right temperature, humidity, lighting, etc… may be a bit of a challenge in our tropical paradise. But even beyond these elements, how should we design this special room that can hold our favorite bottles and collections?
We had the opportunity to speak with Luxury Miami Interior Designer and Decorator, Margarita Bravo, and get her expert advice on exactly what we should consider when designing a Miami-style wine room.
Advice for Designing a Wine Room by Luxury Miami Interior Designer, Margarita Bravo
Wine Guide Miami: What is the first thing you consider when a client is interested in designing a wine room in Miami?
Margarita Bravo: A wine cellar should be a showcase in a home. It is the opportunity to have exquisite architecture and design, while also being fully functional.
The ideal Miami wine cellar is not only aesthetically in line with the ethos of the vibrant city, but also addresses the unique Miami climate, while being as highly efficient as possible. As a designer, I love to elevate a space and personalize it for my clients. A wine cellar is an amazing way to add intrinsic value to your home, while also creating a unique feature that truly complements your lifestyle. It’s not just about building a pretty room, but also preserving the bottles and maintaining the home’s overall performance. This is crucial, especially in Miami!
WGM: Is there a best location in the home for wine storage?
MB: I love the idea of making the Miami wine cellar a focal point in the home. With the Miami lifestyle so centered on entertaining and outdoor living, making a standout space to showcase wine and bubbly adds to the home’s charm. You do need to have ample room to build an amazing cellar that fits your unique needs, so we have to take that into account when designing.
WGM: Are there specific materials that should be used in the design of this wine room?
MB: This is really client-specific and depends on what they are looking to achieve. That said, I love glass, mirrors, and marble to add depth and drama to a cellar. The inclusion of stone and or rock, specifically lava stone in a wine cellar, not only adds to the look and feel, but the storage of the wine itself. The lava stones are porous, foam-like, and lightweight. They weather slowly and are highly temperature-resistant. Lava rock is also excellent at absorbing moisture and slowly releasing it again, which is the key to humidity regulation.
Oakwood and wine go hand in hand. Maybe your favorite Chardonnay was aged in an oak barrel. Similar to wine, this type of wood comes in white and red varieties, so you have flexibility with your color palette. Oak is a sturdy hardwood with straight grain and natural character, and it is also rot-resistant, which is important in a humid environment like Miami.
WGM: What are some design elements that will help us with insulation in the room?
MB: In Miami, it’s really important to control the climate and humidity in your cellar. To do this, you will need to build a strong vapor barrier, which is usually formed from a high-density foam material.
A vapor barrier creates separation between the environment inside and outside your wine cellar. It is critical in controlling the humidity to prevent warm, moist air from entering and causing mold. Wine cellar humidity control is important, because it all comes down to the corks. If the air is too dry, the corks shrink, and bottles will not be properly sealed. This can let in air that oxidizes the wine.
WGM: Are there certain colors that are better at keeping a room temperature controlled?
MB: Lean into neutrals and darker colors, while adding pops of color to complement the Miami aesthetic.
WGM: Are there any major “don’ts” when designing a Miami wine room?
MB: It’s best to build the space within interior walls where there is no sunlight. This helps to preserve the wine. Positioning of the bottles is also super important. You need to store wine on its side at an angle. Never store your bottles upright, even if it looks better. That’s why working with a designer is so crucial. We can elevate the space while understanding the challenges.
Don’t expose your wine bottles to direct sunlight. Store in complete darkness for best results. Don’t allow your wine cellar to get too cold or dry out. It is important to maintain proper humidity levels. Eliminate vibrations around your wine cellar. Your favorite song on volume 10 can disturb the sediment in your wine, which can create a chemical reaction that can speed up aging and dull flavors.
WGM: Any last thoughts on the perfect Miami wine room?
MB: Wine is like a great piece of artwork, and many bottles have amazing labels that tell a great story. Your travels are also reflected in your selection of wine. Perhaps you have bottles from your last trip to the South of France or Napa Valley. Create a wine bible that you can share with your guests as you open up the next bottle of wine, so they can read more about the grapes and your story of how this bottle ended up in your cellar.
For our latest articles highlighting wines that would be great additions to your Miami wine room or “cellar,” visit our “Wine” page.
Jacqueline is a professional wine + travel writer, radio host, wine columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.
She is the monthly “Vino” columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper, a guest host covering the drinks segment on Linda Gassenheimer’s podcast show, “Food, News, and Views,” and Star Wine List’s Miami Ambassador.
Jacqueline is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist & WSET 3.
It’s awesome that your article talked about wine rooms and how certain colors are better to keep them cool. My wife and I became obsessed with tasting wine last month, so we’re interested in having our own wine cellar at home, and your tips will definitely help us. Thanks for the information on using dark colors for our wine cellar.
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