International Builder' Show Product Preview: Vinotemp Walk-In Wine Vault
If you’re a serious wine collector whose sizable cellar features rare gems like the 1993 Screaming Eagle ($3,000-plus for a single bottle), you’ll want to be sure your wine doesn’t degrade while you’re away on vacation. The Vinotemp Walk-In Wine Vault, says the manufacturer, will send an alert to your cell phone should a temperature change take place in the 1,500-bottle unit which, costs $20,000.
The Vinotemp’s software is designed to upload your inventory onto your personal computer and track it by vintage, country of origin, and location on the racks inside the vault. The unit adds good looks to its brains, featuring a brushed-aluminum exterior, glass windows and doors, and handcrafted redwood racks. So while you might want to place the vault in the basement, it’s handsome enough to go near a living area—where your bottles will always be close at hand.
Essential information: Not ready to invest in a walk-in wine vault? A wine refrigerator or wine chiller might be a better option. And to help add to your collection, read our expert coverage of wines.
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Posted by: Brian Newberry | Apr 30, 2008 3:21:40 PM
I would be leery with purchasing anything made by Vinotemp. My girlfriend bought me a VT 32 unit in December of 2007. We picked it up on Dec. 29, 2007 from the Vinotemp location in Rancho Dominguez, CA.
In early April of 2008, my refrigerator started making noises and one of the cabinets would not hold constant temperature (57F degrees) and drops down to 46F degrees even with the temperature control set at 66F degrees. I brought my refrigerator back to Vinotemp on 4/19 and they said they would warranty the repair and it would take about 4 business days to repair.
I have not received any calls back from Vinotemp and everytime I call for status on my repair, they put me into voicemail. After many messages asking nicely about the status of my warrnty repair, Vinotemp or any of its representatives refuse to call me back or talk to me. it is now 4/30 and I have called again and left another message. I am so frustrated right now. Does this sound like a reasonable company that cares about its customers and their product?