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Preppers, just like everyone else, need a break some time; and taking a page from any prepper handbook it's best to plan ahead and make sure you're covered should things completely fall apart. The relative question that we received last week was, "can you build a secure wine cellar from a shipping container?" The simple answer is, "Yes"; and there is a "but...". Read on for the details.
According to Wine Spectator, the basics for storing wine are to keep the wine cool and at a steady temperature, keep the lights off (especially sunlight and UV rays), don't worry about humidity, it's ideal (and more space efficient) to store the wine sideways, and finally it should be in a vibration free environment. If you'd like to read the full article, here's the link.
First and foremost, let's start with a 20' or 40' reefer container (non-working is fine). The insulation from a refrigerated container will give us the base to hold a constant temperature. Power for temperature control will be the biggest issue for a prepper. If you're connected to the power grid, or have access to a constant generator or other power source, you'll want to add on a small air conditioner to keep the ambient temperature at around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Once you've got this set up, it would be perfect to partially bury the container. We've discussed burying a container with gabion baskets before, but if you're only doing a partial job it might be just as easy to use concrete block. 1/2 to 3/4 up the side of the container would be perfect, or on the shady side of a hill. Once that's done and the container is in place, shelving can be either purpose built from 2x4 lumber and plywood, or purchased at any Ikea or Home Depot.
Now that the container wine cellar is in place, it's time to stock it. Personally, I'd suggest something like The Prisoner (pun aside, it's a great wine), or even Toasted Head for waiting out TEOTWAWKI.
If you need some inspiration check out these container wine projects:
Box of wine : "Abbott Miller transformed an industrial shipping container into a cellar for a feature in the current issue of Food & Wine that asked three designers to propose new ideas for wine storage. Abbott jokes that his scheme, which places the shipping container into the side of a hill, would be perfect for an "eco-friendly Teletubby/hobbit hipster.""
Road Foodie: "When a local workman suggested the purchase of an old refrigerated metal shipping container, the kind that cranes lift on and off of ships, Cosimo initially shrugged it off as impossible, not to mention severely lacking in aesthetic value. (After all, this is a man who places great value on beauty.) Then, he heard the price: $2,000., for a ten-year-old container, certified by the USDA for food transport"
Nuyuka Creek Winery: We can't find much information on the Nuyuka Creek website, but Gateway Containers down in Australia describes it as, "Their wine cellar utilises an old refrigerated trailer from a semi (truck). While not strictly a shipping container, the same ideas apply for using a reefer container, as well as when building an underground bunker".
ContainerAuction.com helps connect buyers and sellers of containers in the United States, and around the world. If you're in the market for a refrigerated container, or a standard or high cube container, stop by the site and look around. If you can't find what you're looking for complete the request for closest to your area and a seller will contact you to help you find the container that you need.