Wine collecting is a unique hobby. No matter the degree of seriousness, there is a shared passion of not only the collection aspect, but the lifestyle and enjoyment that the depleted collection can render.
So it is with these local wine enthusiasts who, over the years, have developed a taste and a fascination for cellaring wines.

Dr. Michael Donner and his wife Barbara are avid collectors of wines from California, France and Italy. Their 3,000-bottle cellar was custom built to rigid specifications, including four layers of insulation, a double-door entryway, oversized redwood racking, a Larkin split system compressor for temperature and humidity control - and even an alarm system to alert them to temperature differentiations. “The greatest benefit to cellaring wines yourself,” says Donner, “is that you control the atmosphere, therefore ensuring your fine wine has been stored properly.”

The collection lays claim to such finds as a ’70 Mouton Rothchild, an ’81 Lafite Rothchild, and verticals (consecutive vintages) of Silver Oak and Caymus Special Selection. All the wines are carefully fitted with labels indicating the purchase price, industry rating, quantity, maturity recommendations, and, in some cases, “Don’t drink!” warnings from Barbara to Mike.

For all their collecting seriousness however, the joy comes out of opening and drinking a wonderful bottle of wine. “To know that someone, somewhere out there is sharing their passion and their winemaking perfection (with me) is a wonderful psychological release,” says Donner. Barbara adds, “And sharing it with friends and family is a wonderful way to make the day unfold.”

Local attorney Herb Alexander also boasts a large cellar of more than 2,000 bottles. The cellar, beneath his raised Acadian house, is in a flood zone. A vapor barrier of visquine among four layers of insulation keeps the inside at a perfect 55 degree temperature. Opposing trap doors can be opened in the event floodwater ever has to flow through.

When you visit Alexander’s cellar you will probably find him enjoying a bottle of ’97 Trefethen Halo or ’96 Beringer Reserve Cabernet in one of his antique rocking chairs in front of a picture of Marilyn Monroe. He has been collecting wine for more than 20 years and favors mostly California Cabernets. His passion is evident: “Sometimes I only eat food because it goes so well with wine.”

Most collectors agree that their biggest problem is running out of room. Such is the case with Dr. Nick Landry. He currently stores his wine in a Le Cache 400, but can’t drink the wine fast enough for his growing collection of Opus and Pahlmeyer. His plans to expand include an outdoor bunker that is half underground and houses more than 2,000 bottles. For now, however, the free-standing temperature-controlled cellar is an excellent storage unit for his rare finds.

Perhaps the most attractive wine room can be credited to bank president Gary Blossman. He has created an entertainment room that includes a huge marble bar, behind which is a wall of glass showcasing a 600-bottle temperature-controlled area. A bottle of Harlan sets off the collection, as do pictures of trips he’s taken to Miner Vineyards and Heitz Cellar in Napa. “Wine is sexy,” says Blossman. “It’s also a wonderful accompaniment to friends and family.”

These resident experts offer advice to those who would like to start a collection. “Find a reputable wine store and ask for help in selecting wines that store well,” says Landry. Alexander suggests reading publications like Wine Spectator and The Wine Enthusiast, keeping in mind, however, that ratings are a guideline and not always agreeable to your own personal tastes.

It seems that a cellar becomes a very personal space to a dedicated collector, a thoughtful, quiet place where wine sleeps, a library of sorts. The doors are opened only when the need calls, and then, through some careful perusing and admiring of one’s own collection, the perfect bottle is selected for the occasion at hand. The result: a resounding “Cheers!”

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