How to Build a Wine Display to Enhance Your Business

The popularity of wine has skyrocketed in the last couple of decades, and the United States is the world’s biggest wine market. Wine sales doubled from 1999-2021, which is good news for hospitality and retail businesses.

Incorporating a custom wine display is a great way to attract customers to your establishment and increase sales. A wine display can be large or small, rustic or modern. There are so many options today, from sleek wine walls to practical wine storage lockers to custom wine cellar displays.

A properly cooled wine room or closet can store prized vintages in optimal conditions, while a multi-zone wine fridge will maintain reds and whites at proper serving temperatures.

Whether you own a restaurant, an airport lounge, or a chain of luxury hotels, a wine display can give your business that special joie de vivre that modern consumers demand. Keep reading for some eye-catching ways to display wine at your restaurant, hotel, bar, or retail establishment, plus tips for proper wine storage.

6 Clever Ways to Display Wine

Displaying wine is as much an art as it is a science. Here are some wine display ideas to help you create a commercial wine display that is both eye-catching and functional.

1: Create a focal point.

If you want a show-stopping display that immediately grabs attention, there are lots of versatile racking systems that can help you achieve the desired effect.

Consider an airy and contemporary floating wine bottle display in the center of a wall—or even the center of a room. It’s possible with today’s fully customizable racking systems. You choose the precise dimensions and the materials to match your establishment’s aesthetics.

Another option is a large showcase display. It’s a unique and dramatic way to show off the labels of your most prized vintages. The mix of label-forward racks, bins and cubes, and cork-forward storage makes showcase displays more visually interesting while efficiently storing wine.

2: Build a retail display.

Space comes at a premium in grocery stores, wine shops, and liquor stores. But that doesn’t mean retail wine displays have to be boring. With the right retail wine display racks, you can build an elevated display that’s also efficient.

Modular retail wine display racks can be placed along open walls or against shelving. You can also use them as standalone retail wine displays to create shoppable aisles for your customers.

For wall displays, look for modular retail wine racks with a versatile combination of racking styles all within a single unit—for example, shelves for storing bottles upright, diamond bins for efficient horizontal storage, and nooks for additional bottles.

With a bit of thought and planning (and expert help), you can create a commercial wine display that draws customers in and makes it easier to browse and shop.

3: Enhance the perimeter.

If you really want to wow your patrons, display wine around the perimeter of your restaurant, retail shop, lounge, or wine bar. Metal racks are sleek and stylish, perfect for modern and upscale establishments. Wood wine racks are traditional and earthy, perfect for rural wineries, hotels, and farm-to-table restaurants.

Wall wine racks come in a huge variety of styles, finishes, and configurations, from curved corner racks to waterfall styles to glass-enclosed wine walls. Add arches and niches for added style or cabinets and drawers for additional secure storage.

Modular racking systems are ideal for both do-it-yourself applications or professional installations. Mix and match to create your own custom wine display.

4: Delineate between spaces.

A floor-to-ceiling wine wall is an elegant way to separate two spaces, such as a dining space from a lounge or bar. A glass-enclosed wine wall protects your vintages from theft or damage while creating an eye-catching display.

And you might be surprised at just how much wine you can store with a wine wall, depending on the specific configurations and dimensions. A glass-enclosed wine wall can even be outfitted with a cooling unit, such as a ducted split system.

5: Create a wine island.

If you operate a retail store, how to display wine is as important as what you display. You can have a phenomenal selection, but it needs to be visible—you want your customers to see your most popular products immediately upon entering.

A wine island is the perfect solution. While seasonal and sale wines typically go around the perimeter of the store, your premium wines should be prominently displayed where customers can’t miss them.

6: Conceal a support beam with wine racks.

If a pillar or support beam sits awkwardly in the middle of a room, you can use this to your advantage by creating a 360-degree wine display around the beam or pillar.

Modular metal racks with a floating bottle style are ideal for this application. The racks can be mounted right on the pillar or support beam (if code allows) and enclosed in glass for added security.

Tips for Proper Wine Storage & Display  

Creating inviting, functional spaces is vital for retail wine sellers, restaurants, bars, lounges, hotels, and liquor stores. Here are some tips to ensure your wine storage and display are top-notch:

Maintain enough space between wine racks/displays.

Customers should have enough room to walk comfortably and push a shopping cart without the risk of knocking over bottles. Proper spacing not only enhances the shopping experience but also minimizes accidents and potential product damage.

Properly cool the space.

Wine needs to be kept at specific temperature and humidity conditions to preserve its quality. Unless you turn over your entire inventory frequently, you should consider investing in a cooling system designed for wine storage.

Brands like Wine Guardian, CellarPro, and WhisperKOOL offer a range of cooling systems for every application, including ducted split systems, through-the-wall units, and ceiling-mounted units. A proper cooling unit will maintain the right temperature and humidity conditions from the moment you acquire bottles to the moment they leave your store.

Use different rack styles to create a dynamic space.

Using a variety of rack styles in different finishes and configurations can make your wine display more appealing. For example, show off your finest bottles with backlit showcase displays. Or create distinct spaces while boosting storage capacity with waterfall racks that face into the room.

Combine traditional wood racks with sleek metal racking systems with decorative shelving and cabinetry to create a dynamic and visually interesting space. A well-thought-out display will not draw customers in but may even encourage them to explore different wine options.

Store expensive vintages horizontally.

Wines that quickly turn over can generally be stored upright, but fine vintages should always be stored on their side. This position keeps the cork moist, preventing it from drying out, which can allow air to seep in and spoil the wine. Horizontal storage is vital for preserving the integrity and value of your most prized bottles.

Get design help.

If you’re wondering how to build a wine display and aren’t sure you have the time or expertise to do it, consider hiring a professional. An expert wine storage provider can offer innovative solutions to maximize your space, whether it’s a small retail area or a large wine cellar.

They can help you design a layout that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, ensuring your wine display stands out and enhances the overall customer experience.

Maintain enough space between wine racks/displays.

If you’re planning to install racks on your own rather than hiring a professional, be sure to measure the space carefully.

Ensure you have room for wide aisles that can fit both shoppers (and their shopping carts) as well as staff moving wine on hand trucks. Customers should be able to turn their cart around corners easily without running into a wine display.

Get Help Designing a Custom Wine Display

The staff at Wine Racks America are the world’s foremost experts in cellar systems and metal and wood wine racks. Our team uses a variety of tools to map out your wine display, including 3D drawings and CAD design software—we can even return the design to you in as little as a day.

Wine Racks America will help you design a wine display to impress your patrons, guiding you through every step of the process—from initial concept to design to installation. Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team is here to answer your questions. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today and find out how we can help your business.