My custom wine rack weekend project

I've got a personal request to our readers who like to build stuff. I need a simple wine rack to hold our wine collection. Specs are it has to be about 24" wide and no higher than 48". My best option is to construct it from scratch.

I'm probably going to make it out of pine boards, as I have plenty of that wood to spare and we've already got a little pine desk next to where it will stand. We're basically improvising until the day we can afford to re-model the kitchen.

I kind of like Aussie Donna M's Wine Rack, mainly she has a system for organizing wine in her pantry, but not so much for the looks.

I've hunted down wine grids painted with black enamel, that would easily install into my pine shelf and hold a few dozen bottles. I've had no luck finding grids wide enough for the bottles from a local supplier.

There are higher-end solutions, even refrigerated wine coolers like these beauties from local supplier Custom Cellars that are a bit out of our price range at this time.

So, I'm thinking about a weekend project to build a respectable-looking and functional wine rack. If you have any ideas email us.

Author

  • Mike Klassen is a Vancouver city councillor, communications professional, and long-time advocate for British Columbia’s wine industry. He co‑founded BC Wine Lover in 2007 with his wife Stacey, sharing stories from their travels through the province’s wine regions and spotlighting the people and places that make B.C. wine distinctive.

    In 2015, Mike led the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, guiding a province‑wide consultation that produced recommendations—later endorsed by industry plebiscite—that strengthened B.C.’s appellation standards and helped establish today’s sub‑GIs.

    His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Huffington Post, and Daily Hive, blending history, policy insight, and personal experience. Alongside his work on Vancouver City Council, Mike continues to explore vineyards across the province, champion local producers, and celebrate the evolving culture of B.C. wine.