Santa Barbara has a new wine storage facility in Goleta that specializes in the highest level of customer service.
Santa Barbara Cellars Wine Storage recently opened off of the Patterson Ave. exit at the base of the foothills. The storage facility is open seven days a week and has extensive temperature and
humidity control. They also advertise a great feature for frequent wine buyers who have wine shipped.
As we all know, wine must be signed for by an adult over 21, and this can sometimes be a hassle if you are not available to receive your wine during the day. You can have your wine club shipments shipped and signed for at the storage facility throughout the week. Check out their website for more details, and also see their FAQ’s for helpful tips on wine storage.
Summer is upon us, and as it approaches, my excitement for the beach and barbeques is accompanied by a concern for my wine collection - most of which I keep in a wine rack in my closet. If you have a similar collection at home, keep in mind that proper cellaring conditions not only help preserve the wine for the greatest drinking potential down the road, but making sure to keep the wine out of the heat prevents it from turning into vinegar. Whether you have one bottle that you are saving to drink on that special occasion that never seems quite important enough, or you have your own closet cellar, you must make sure that the wine is kept out of direct sunlight and away from fluctuating temperatures and heat.
Radical temperature changes will cause the cork to expand and contract, which will allow oxygen to sneak into your wine. Ideal cellaring temperatures are between 55 and 60 degrees. Be prepared for those really hot days because even one could be disasterous. If you don’t have a cool, dark place to keep your wine at home, consider looking into a wine storage facility in town that will store your wine for a small monthly fee. I have a friend who splits his storage facility with his Dad and they each pay only $5 a month for peace of mind. This is worth it if you are investing time and money into collecting wine.
One other thing to keep in mind is having wine in the car on a long hot drive. If you go wine tasting and purchase wine, do not leave the wine sitting in the car where it heats up extremely fast. This will ruin the wine that you just bought. If you are planning on buying wine, bring along some ice packs and a cooler.
A note to wine club members - the heat of the summer months is the reason we do not send out a shipment in July. The wine would be compromised, sitting in the back of a Fedex truck while other packages are delivered like a soldier sent into battle without a gun.
Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery
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