Under the Stairs Wine Cellar Project Unveiled in Santa Ana, California

May 8, 2026

Under the Stairs Wine Cellar Project Unveiled in Santa Ana, California

In modern home design, having a residential wine cellar under the stairs is a trendy and space-efficient way to create a unique and functional display for your wine collection.


Recently, we completed a project in California for a client who wanted to transform the small space under their stairs into a modern glass wine cellar.


Our team at Cachet Wine Cellars designed a contemporary wine cellar with horizontal wine racks as one of the unique features that set it apart. These racks are designed to be seen through the wall outside the cellar.


We take pride in our original wine cellar projects and are a full-service company that can take you from the design stage to a completed wine cellar with racking and furniture that meets your display and management requirements.


Continue reading to learn more about this fantastic custom wine cellar project.

The Transformation Of This Home Wine Cellar Under The Stairs

Creating a wine cellar in the tight space under the stairs was a challenge that the team overcame by installing glass wine cellars. This solution was perfect for the limited space, resulting in a modern wine cellar with ¾ inch-tempered, frameless glass doors.


The horizontal wine racks can be seen through the exterior wall, and the flooring was made from recycled wine barrels to add an elegant touch. A WhisperKOOL wall-mount cooling system was also installed to maintain the ideal temperature within the cellar.


The glass panels were constructed using a U-channel, integrated with insulation materials, to provide proper insulation for the wine cellar.

Wooden Wine Racks Sleek Details for this Under-the-Stairs Wine Cellar

When storing and displaying wine, wooden wine racks offer a stylish and unique option, mainly when used in a home setting. Placing wooden wine racks in a glass-enclosed wine room creates an elegant showcase and maximizes the limited space of a wine cellar under the stairs.

The diamond-shaped bins at the bottom of the racks perfectly complement the repurposed wine barrel flooring. Our wine racking system is designed with wine storage and ideal conditions in mind. The diamond bins can hold up to 9 magnums, 12 champagnes, or 16 regular-sized wine bottles, making them an ideal spot for aging wine before moving to upper racks. We chose Alder wood for the racks’ lightweight appearance and durability.


The unique and refined-grained patterns of the wood make the wine racks more attractive, especially when viewed through a glass wall. We also installed LED lighting to highlight the wine bottles and the reveal row without emitting heat that could harm the wine’s quality. Each wine bottle label is visible, making it easy to access your selection.

Wine Cellar Cooling Unit That Suits Perfectly for This Impressive Home Wine Cellar

Choosing the right cooling system for a wine cellar depends on the project’s specifications. For this wine cellar, the team installed a WhisperKOOL Platinum Split System 4000, a split-type cooling unit. This system allowed the evaporator and condensing unit to be separated from each other, making it easier to fit them inside the tight space.

The installed cooling system is practical and efficient, with only the evaporator visible in the wine cellar and not the condenser or ducting. This configuration enhances the wine cellar’s insulation capacity. The team hid the cooling unit inside the ceiling to avoid unsightly wires and coils for aesthetic reasons.

Achieve Your Dream Wine Cellar Under Stairs With Experts!

For over two decades, Cachet Wine Cellars has created exceptional wine cellars for residential and commercial clients. They approach each project with a commitment to uniqueness and tailor their solutions to meet the specific needs of their clients.


Their team has completed several wine cellar projects, including the stunning glass-enclosed wine cellar under the stairs featured here.


If you’re looking to create a wine cellar that is not only functional but also visually appealing, Cachet Wine Cellars team is the perfect partner for you. Like the one featured, their refrigerated residential wine cellar will keep your wine collection safe from extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations while adding a touch of elegance to your living space.


Contact Cachet Wine Cellars today to bring your wine cellar dreams to life! Contact us by calling us at +1 (949) 569 7857!

Recent Posts

Black glass door pull handles on a transparent door
October 16, 2026
Every lock, keypad, and handle on a cellar door cuts through the seal line. What each hardware penetration means for the gasket, and how to specify it right.
Tall glass wine cooler cabinet in a warm-lit restaurant hallway, with bottles visible inside.
October 16, 2026
A cellar door that worked for years can fail once work happens elsewhere in the house. Learn how to trace the real cause before blaming the door.
Open ornate glass doors into a warmly lit wooden dining room with a long table and chandelier
October 16, 2026
One face of a wooden cellar door sits at cellar humidity, the other tracks the house. That difference bows the panel; core and finish scope limit how far.
Wooden ceiling vent above a dark beam, with two bottles visible at the bottom edge.
October 16, 2026
A return grille placed near the door reads warm household air as cellar air. See where return air belongs, and the mistakes that cause the same error.
Glass wine cellar door in a dining room, the house-side pane where condensation appears
October 16, 2026
Condensation on a cellar glass door usually means humid house air met a cold house-side pane, not a cooling fault. Which side is wet is the diagnosis.
Four decorative wooden arched doors with ornate iron and carved detailing
October 16, 2026
Compare wine cellar door types by what rules each one out: the opening, the wall, traffic, and the view, not style alone.
Black metal pull handles on a glass door, viewed close up.
October 16, 2026
A cellar door can seal at the jambs and head and still fail at the floor. Why the threshold is different, and the two ways builders close it.
Modern wine display wall with glass-front cabinets and rows of bottles in a sleek interior.
October 16, 2026
A cellar door's swing needs clear floor inside the cellar and clear hallway outside it. See how clearance, opening width, and wall placement fit together.
Wooden double doors with glass panes in a tan hallway, flanked by framed wall art.
October 16, 2026
A custom cellar door built to the wrong opening can't be trimmed on site. What a GC and framer must confirm in writing before release to manufacture.
Custom home-built wall cabinet with hidden sliding shelves and a louvered wall vent in a room.
October 16, 2026
A leaking cellar door shows up first as cooling that runs longer with no setpoint change. The daily shape of that runtime is the real tell.
Show More