The life of a whiskey barrel moves along several phases.  It starts out as an oak tree, harvested into wooden strips to be toasted then crafted into a barrel.  From there mashed grapes, along with other ingredients, are placed into the barrels for a time, in some cases as much as thirty years.  Eventually, the qualities that make oak so desirable for aging wine are ‘leached’ out of the wood, no longer depositing those rich tastes of butter and vanilla in the wine.

After a barrel is no longer used for aging wine, often it is shipped to whiskey and scotch manufacturers.  For scotch, dessert wines such as a sherry or port are preferred to age their spirits.  The stained barrels give the whiskey and scotch its signature coloring.  Depending on the type of liquor, it ages in the barrels over the course of months are even years.  In the case of single-malt scotch, the aging process requires a minimum of three years and one day.  These barrels may be used for as long as seventy years.

By the time a barrel has served in aging both wine and whiskey (or scotch), it can potentially be more than two centuries old.  Imagine the history that barrel has witnessed.  How things have changed since the cooper who manufactured that barrel, however many years ago.  Many time honored traditions as well as trades have succumbed to the rolling tide of modernization and technology.  Methods, perfected by masters of their craft over the centuries, have been drained of that human touch that radiated pride and expertise.  Instead, those skills and qualities are being sacrificed in the name of profit and efficiency.  The whiskey barrel is a functional link to that time.

Adopt a Whiskey Barrel

In recent years there has been a surge in demand for whiskey barrel furniture.  Pub tables, coffee tables, vanity sinks all can be fashioned with ‘retired’ whiskey barrels.  They are perfect additions to any home or room that’s in need of a touch of character.  An old barrel can even be converted into a whiskey barrel chest, not only bringing class to your storage needs but also efficiency.

So please, give these aged barrels a chance.  Allow them to be part of your home.  Rescue a Whiskey Barrel.

Storing your favorite wines can be a challenge.  Whether you’re a casual drinker or a committed enthusiast you still have to deal with where to put the bottles.  One of my relatives tends to keep his bottles cluttered on his kitchen counter (at least out of direct sunlight) eliminating that space from doing what it’s supposed to do – which is not wine storage.  Even the causal drinker wants to impress friends at dinner parties with a knowledgeable method of securing their wine from the elements in a tidy and tasteful manner.

First, here’s a quick reminder of things to consider when deciding on your storage space – Light, Temperature, and Humidity.  This brief overview of those important conditions of healthy wine storage is tremendously helpful — from Bordex Wine Racks.

Wine Storage Tips

1. Light

A cellar should be as dark as possible as wine is badly affected by light. Light can cause undesirable chemical reactions within the bottle and often spoil the wine. UV light can cause hydrogen sulphide compounds to develop in wine. Therefore, the ideal lighting conditions for a cellar is no sunlight and all lighting (globes and tubes) to be UV FREE.

2. Temperature

If you intend to mature wines for 5, 10, 15 years or more, temperature is the single most important factor of wine cellaring. Constant temperature is crucially important. Temperature changes (especially rapid change in temperature) cause corks to expand and contract, allowing air to enter the bottle. There is no surer way to create oxidization of the wine and thus render the wine undrinkable. Suitable temperatures for storing wine are between 11ºC to 17ºC but several degrees either side of this are safe.

3. Humidity

It is crucially important to monitor humidity within the cellar. The ideal humidity level for wine is between 62.5% and 72.5%. Most wine cellars suffer from lack of humidity (especially air conditioned cellars), which leads to corks drying out, shrinking and eventual wine leakage and oxidization Placing some warm water in a large tray on the cellar floor can help treat lack of humidity.  A very high level of humidity (say too long a time at above 75%) will cause labels to fall off and; if there is no/low level of air movement, will cause mold to grow on corks and labels. Mold is devastating for wine. Therefore, an ideal environment for wine not only pays attention to temperature control but also ensures air flow and humidity control.

 Wine Storage Racks by Bordex

Once you’ve designated an area in your home for the wine to be stored the next step is choosing an appropriate wine rack.  After all, you don’t want the bottles sitting on the floor or in moldy boxes, only for you to have to sift through them like dusty record albums.  A wine rack is the only solution to storing your wine as well as displaying it for easy selection.  For the enthusiasts who’ve invested in wine cellar storage, we have several options to perfect your display with innovative stackable wine racks that can hold up to 120+ bottles.

Wine-Vine Imports is proud to recommend Bordex, an Australian based manufacturer, for their elegant and innovative solutions to proper wine storage.  Each product is carefully crafted, using sturdy hardwoods and ‘baked enamel steel’.  They rely on twenty years of experience in safely shipping their quality racks to virtually every corner of the globe.  Whether your needs are commercial or residential, these unique and tasteful wine racks are the perfect solution to your wine storage needs.

These selections from Bordex Wine Racks can accommodate just about any sized collection.  From mere twenty-bottle display kits to the more elaborate multi-tiered displays racks (many of those commercial wine racks are sought after by restaurants) – your wine storage solution is right here.  Be sure to take advantage of our Free Shipping on several of our wine storage options.

On a recent wine tasting trip to Willamette Valley, Oregon, I learned a great deal about Pinot Noir and picked up on a few other things along the journey.  A close friend of mine from my high school years now lives in Portland Oregon. She works for KEEN Footwear an outdoor footwear company.  Carie showed us around the great city of Portland, the Keen Office and retail store.

We were impressed with this new wave called “upcycling.”  We all know about recycling products but this concept is a bit different.  Upcycling doesn’t take the used product back to a simpler form–it actually creates a better product with the used material.

A great example would be my friend Carie’s purse which was a skateboard cut in half and attached to fabric along the sides to make a purse.  The Keen Footwear office building had office tables made from brightly painted used car parts.  Portland seemed to be full of art that when closely inspected was all produced from previously used products.

The whole upcycled products concept excited us.  We have so many gifts and furniture pieces that are made using this concept.

Check out some of my Favorite Upcycled Wine Gifts

Eco-Friendly Wine Rack – Sofa Springs

Living in today’s green conscious world we should all try our best to recycle and take care of the environment as much as possible. Artists and craftsman are focusing efforts on this trend of reusing material rather than burying it in our landfills.  One metal work artist of North Carolina upcycled sofa springs into attractive wall mounted wine racks.  Who would have thought that the springs inside the cushions of your sofa would one day store wine in such an artistic way? The design is simple, yet attractive and makes for a great conversation piece in your home.

Wine Bottle Cheese Board –Melted Wine Bottles

Slumped glass is another popular upcycled wine gift.  Artists are able to melt used bottles into a variety of home decor.  Slumped bottles are used to create bowls, wine bottle cheese boards, hanging wall art and even melted glass flower vases!

One of my personal favorites is a personalized cheese board.  A shopper can customize a wine bottle label with their name, variety, vintage (special date) and region (place of marriage or new home).

Once the label is created, the artist adheres it to the bottom side of the melted wine bottle.  The label goes on the bottom of the see-through bottle so that you can use the top for serving appetizers or cutting without damaging the label.

If you do not want to use the wine bottle cheese board for serving, some will set this piece of upcycled art on a plate stand or hang on the wall for display.

It’s a popular anniversary, housewarming and wedding gift.  These flattened wine bottle cheeseboards are a  life-long memory piece that can be passed on from generation to generation to commemorate any special occasion.

Wine Barrel Furniture –Oak Wine Barrels

A large portion of furniture we see in store windows today are constructed of new wooden frames, plastics and manmade fabrics.  Most of these products are not produced of sustainable materials.  They keep our dependence on oil high and our carbon footprint large. Let’s introduce some unique products made of recycled oak barrels –ALL handmade in the USA!

Barrique Bistro Table, Oak Top Barrel Bistro Table and Whiskey Barrel Coffee Table are a few examples of popular Wine Barrel Tables.

5 Bottle Wine Rack, Lazy Susan Tray, Genuine Barrel Head Lazy Susan are other popular wine gifts made from recycled wine barrels.

Leather Top Swivel Stool, Barrel Head Stave Stool and the Stave Back Dining chair are a few examples of popular Wine Barrel Chairs.

As you can see, these creative woodworkers are producing one-of-a-kind designs of home décor and barrel furniture.  The use of recycled oak barrel staves allows the craftsman to produce some truly unique pieces. These furniture pieces take a variety of stains and finishes very well, giving you many options to match your home decor.

Please share with us your favorite upcycled furniture and gifts.

by Guest Writer Adam Kristofco

Vintage oak barrel furniture has a sophisticated, yet relaxed rustic look. These hand crafted wine barrel and whiskey barrel furnishings add a unique touch to any cellar, living room, screened deck or home bar. Plus, barrel furniture is eco-friendly since the staves, barrel heads and barrel hoops are removed to create wine barrel stave furniture.

Barrel Furniture, New Designs

Checkout some new designs of authentic barrels that are transformed into exquisite, eye-catching coffee tables, barrel stools and wine tables.

Barrel Coffee Tables

Complete a rustic or wine themed room with stave coffee and end tables.  The legs of this wine barrel coffee table are constructed with staves from a recycled wine barrel.  The coffee table top is solid oak.  A genuine barrel hoop completes the base of the table for an authentic look.

Handmade vintage oak whiskey barrel is transformed into a functional coffee table with lots of storage.  The half barrel base has loads of charm.  This eye-catching coffee table with huge table top is a great conversation piece.  Store magazines, games, bottles, blankets and more in the storage area below the hinged table top of whiskey barrel coffee table.

Barrel Stools & Chairs

New!  Barrel stool available at various bar heights reuses barrel staves to construct the barrel stool backrest, stool seat and legs.  Thick curved staves give this simple design remarkable strength, while showcasing the natural beauty of the wood grain.  This new design has 4 staves to create the back rest.  Custom orders available with 2, 3, or 4 stave construction for the back rest.  In addition, custom orders for 1 to 2 footrests at 9″ and 18″ from top of the seat.

If you are looking even more style, custom orders are available with contrasting finishes.  For example, walnut finish stave seat with golden oak stave legs and backrest.  Call us at 919-341-4279, describe your room decor and we’ll inspire you.




Soon to come is this newest addition to barrel stools:

Wine Barrel Table

Wine Barrel Table with Metal Top is an exclusive, new design constructed from a reclaimed barrel that has been stained, finished and reinforced. The durable metal table top is 42 inches in diameter and powder coated with a pebble texture surface, copper vein (bronze) in color. Also features a black powder coated foot rail.  Custom table top sizes are available.  Wine and table design also comes in an oak top bistro table.  Shop the largest collection of furniture wine tables.

I enjoyed a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner made by a special person last night.  Before he arrived I set the mood with a kitchen covered in wine glass and bottle candle lamps.  Our special evening of cooking together was done in complete candle light.  This romantic setting using wine candle lamps is a lovely and inexpensive way to romance your special person.  We cooked for hours and still have the same candles to use for our next romantic evening.

Wine candles also make elegant center pieces and table markers for weddings, anniversaries and special events.  You can create a wine light from a wine glass or recycled wine bottle.

How to Create Wine Glass Lamps

• Find some ordinary wine glasses from your cupboard or buy some inexpensive wine glasses
• Select a wine glass lampshade pattern.  Set sail into summer with an Anchor Wine Glass Lampshade or choose the Table Marker Wine Glass Lampshades which is perfect for special events.

• Choose a candle – tea light or use a flame-less candle which flickers like a real wax candle

• Set the lite candle inside the wine glass and top the glass of with a lampshade

How to Create Wine Bottle Lamps

There are a few options for turning a recycled wine bottle into a wine lamp.

1. Wine Bottle Oil Lamps – choose from a Flame Protector, Tube Lamp or a Tube Lamp with Flame Protector Gift Set

2.  Wine Cork Candle

The wax drips down the bottle similar to the vintage trend of dripping wax over a Chianti bottle.

Decorating with Wine Candles

I accented the kitchen with smaller bottle candles.  These mini wine bottle candles were the perfect accents between the larger wine candles.  The height differences between all the candles and flickering of candle lights set the mood for a lovely Valentine’s Day dinner.

Wine decor for your home, wine cellar or tasting room. Our wine themed home decor will inspire you to bring a touch of the wine country home. We at WineVine Imports wine gift shop are proud to offer you a beautiful selection of wine decor.

Wine Home Decor Inspirations:

Wine Barrel Furniture

Furnish your home with wine furniture made from recycled wine barrels. If you purchase one of our barrel cabinets you can actually smell the wine that was aged in the barrels. Decorate an entire room with wine barrel furniture or add an accent table with two stave stools. Stave stools can be purchased with wooden tops or leather tops.

These unique, handcrafted furniture pieces will look great with your wine decor. Check out our newest addition, Wine2Night half Moon Bay Table, which can be used as a wine table in your cellar or foyer table in your hallway.

Continuing on the barrel theme, we’ve recently expanded our offerings to include this barrel table lamp.

Designed by the makers of the most prestigious home furnishings

Barrel Lamp Features:

• Golden Pecan Finish

• Rustic Bronze Details

• Round Oatmeal Linen Lamp Shade

• 150 Watt Light Bulb

Wine Art Wall Decor

The same producers of our barrel lamp provide us with a gorgeous assortment of hand painted, framed art and oil reproduction paintings. Decorate your home with grapes, wine and Tuscan wall art.

Share your passion for wine home decor with us. Once we receive your comment, we’ll send you a special discount for shopping at WineVine Imports.

Your special occasion wine corks no longer have to collect dust or hide in a drawer. We have a unique collection of cork collector kits. You can create your own personal work of art with wine corks saved over the years, collected from restaurants or from the wine country vacations.

Wine cork art projects are fun to do with the family. The end result is a beautiful cork bulletin board, trivet or serving tray filled with memories of your favorite wines and vineyards.

Got Wine Corks?

Our wine cork art craft projects are beautiful works of art for your home, kitchen, wine cellar, or living area.  I reused my wine corks from my Central Coast and Temecula wine country vacation and created a wine cork wall artwork. It’s  located in my mudd room off the garage. I love seeing it on my way in or out the house. Here I use my wine pewter pushpins to post notes, business cards, and messages I don’t want to miss on my way out the door.

Wine cork boards are easy and fun to make. Just add your cork collection to one of these solid wine cork boards and you’ll create a masterpiece of wine art. WineVine Imports has an exclusive collection of solid framed cork boards with decorative trim borders. You will only find these designer wine cork boards here.  They are hand crafted from a local, skilled wood carpenter, Paul. He is always coming up with new wine cork creations. Paul’s last innovative wine cork creation are our popular wine cork drink coasters.

 Here are some tips as you begin to cork:

Make one row at a time along the perimeter of the board. Alternate corks horizontally and vertically, either one or two at a time. Use a ruler as a guide to ensure level rows.

Complete the rows from the perimeter toward the middle. Try not to line up corks but rather stagger the rows. Use the hot glue or white glue to glue each row as it is completed. If you need to remove a cork after it has been glued and dried, use a screwdriver, but do not use the frame for leverage.

When you reach the midsection of the corkboard it often results like a jigsaw puzzle. So save any very long or short corks for the middle. You may need to shave the ends of some corks for a better fit. They should fit snugly. Use ample glue and allow several days for drying.

When making a trivet glue the corks on the side that the corks will rise above the wood frame. When making coasters, shave corks for perfect fit and only use glue in-between corks.

Not only do I drink wine, but I also own a building company (and no… I don’t mix them).  But I have installed the Wine Barrel Sink furniture piece in a bathroom before. It looks fantastic! I set it on stone tile from Turkey which compliments the finished barrel tones. I even personalized the Cask & Crown Mirror, with the year the house was built, and hung if over the sink.  Doesn’t it look great?

Tips for Installing the Wine Barrel Sink

1.)  Measure your door opening.
Make sure the wine barrel sink can fit through the door opening. If the door opening is too small, check with your trim carpenter and see if the door casing can be removed to squeeze the barrel into the room. If you are building a new house and plan to put the barrel sink through a tight doorway, order the Wine Barrel Sink furniture piece early. This way you can put it inside the room during framing.

2.)  Rough-In Plumbing for Barrel Sink; New Construction
Once your framing inspection is approved and plumbers are on-site; they will ask for rough-in plumbing location for your Wine Barrel Sink furniture piece. I ordered it early. So, they had it on-site to figure out the measurements. You can wait and order your Wine Barrel Sink furniture piece for final trim out. If you decide to wait, let your plumber know the valves will be located in a 5” area that is 17” – 22” off the finished level of floor (meaning measure from the top of tile or wood floor).

3.)  Widening the Plumbing Opening in the Rear of the Barrel Sink
I suggest you hire a trim carpenter to complete the barrel modifications.  Note the manufacturer’s opening for plumbing connection to sink is too small.

You’ll need to widen the opening to fit the plumbing.  Once the barrel is at your job site have your trim carpenter measure locations and compare to opening in back of barrel. Cut barrel as needed to fit your plumbing. You’ll also need to cut the barrel’s inside shelf to accommodate the pipe.

Last thing you have to do is enjoy this great wine barrel sink for years to come!