Ideal Wine Coolers is located in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, Arizona.  People have commented that a business selling wine refrigerators should be closer to the infamous wine growing regions of the United States like Napa Valley for example.  The fact of this matter is that the Desert Southwest is home to more than just the Grand Canyon.  A wide variety of award winning wines can be discovered in the great State of Arizona.

The Spanish Missionaries of the 1700’s were the first “Arizonans” to start producing wine in the region.  Wineries scattered here and there survived through the years, but in the 1970’s, wine cultivation in Arizona really begin to flourish as an industry.  Currently there are over 30 vintners actively culturing grapes in the great state of Arizona and the industry, while young, is growing fast.  One of the largest vegetative zones in Arizona is the high desert grassland with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation.  It is in this elevation zone where most of the wineries in the state are established.

There are three primary wine growing zones in the state.  One of the zones is in northern Arizona and is commonly associated with the Verde River Valley.  Towns with names like Skull Valley, Cornville, Jerome, and Sedona are the focal point of what I term the Northern Zone.  In what I call the Southern Central zone, the communities of Sonoita, Patagonia and Elgin are the focal points.  The last zone can simply be called the Wilcox Zone, where several wineries are located, but other close communities like Bowie and Portal also are home to wine growers.

Because of the clustering of wineries within each respective zone, it is very realistic to make a day trip to one of the growing areas to discover Arizona wines.  To tour the Northern Zone, take Interstate 17 north from Phoenix and then State Highway 179 to Sedona.  Take Alternate 89 from Sedona to reach the Jerome area.  To visit the Wilcox Zone, take Interstate 10 east from Tucson to reach that wine growing area.  The Southern Central Zone can be accessed by taking Interstate 10 east to State Highway 83 to reach Sonoita.  Wineries in Patagonia and Elgin can be reached from Sonoita on State Highway 82.

Arizona’s high desert grassland hot daytime temperatures and cooler nights make for “happy” grapes.  The climate and soils in the wine growing regions of Arizona are similar to regions around the world like southeastern Australia, Spain and southern France.  The Arizona Wine Grower’s Association (AWGA) also views the Arizona wine growing region as similar to the area located around Paso Robles, California.  If you want to know more about Arizona Winery locations, check the website of the AWGA.

Some Arizona wines have received national and international awards. They have been served in prestigious places like the White House.  Red and white wine types that are especially good are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mataro, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Zinfandel.  Arizona’s wine country, while infantile relative to other U.S. wine growing regions, is worth the time to investigate.

Do not forget to keep all your wines safely stored to protect their taste and longevity.  At Ideal Wine Coolers, you can find a wide variety of wine storage solutions that will fit your every need.

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, 2/2010

The Manager’s Pick for February is Ideal Wine Coolers Danby 34 Bottle Stainless Trim Locking Wine Cooler.

This wine cooler has a classic black cabinet with stainless steel door trim.  This wine cooler regularly sells for $873.00 but is currently on SALE for more than 20 percent off at $679.00.   This wine refrigerator would be an excellent addition to anyone’s home decor either using it in a free standing or under counter application.   We currently have other Danby products on sale as well.  Check out the bargains!

Our Danby 34 Bottle Stainless Trim Locking Wine Cooler can be used for either freestanding or under counter applications. This built in locking wine chiller has a black cabinet and stainless steel door trim. This wine cooler is popular replacement for that old trash compactor, making it fit perfectly in nearly every kitchen. With stainless trimmed metal sliding shelves, digital controls, locking glass door, reversible door hinge, frost free mode and interior lighting, this wine refrigerator will operate hassle free. This compact wine cooler is wonderful for those who are beginning their wine collection. Make this appliance the focal point in your home’s decor. Look no further for superior wine storage.

FEATURES:
* Electronic Thermostat with LED Display
* Temperature Range from 39.2 Degrees F. and 64.4 Degrees F.
* Frost Free Operation
* Cool Blue LED Track Lighting System Illuminates Interior without the heat of an incandescent bulb
* Integrated Application (Intended for 15″ Cabinet openings)
* Stainless Steel Trimmed Shelves
* Elegant Tempered Glass Door with Stainless Steel Trim
* Reversible Hinge for Left or Right Hand opening
* Safety Lock with Key

CAPACITY:
* 34 Wine Bottles

DIMENSIONS:
* Width15 Inches x Depth 24 12/16 Inches x Height 34 1/16 Inches

SHIPPING UPS:
* Calculated Based on Weight & Zip Code

WARRANTY:
* 24 months parts and labor

Check out our selection of free-standing and undercounter wine coolers

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

Ideal Wine Coolers receives many questions concerning our products and policies.  I wanted to share some of this Frequently Asked Questions with all by blog readers.  Remember, there are no stupid questions.  I only hope that my answers do not approach the stupid zone. 

1.  I am remodeling my kitchen.  What products are appropriate for under counter use?

Built-in wine coolers  are specifically designed to sit flush with the rest of your kitchen cabinetry.  These specific units are front-vented and are designed to allow the unit to be pushed flat against the wall and the surrounding cabinets without over heating.  Built-in wine coolers are slightly more expensive, but do have the advantage of saving floor space.  Built-in units can also be used in freestanding applications.  Freestanding wine coolers should never be used for an under counter application as the units will over heat and eventually fail.

2.  I live in an apartment and have limited space for a wine cooler.  What would you suggest?

Our counter-top wine coolers are designed to deal with limited space applications.  Measure the specific space dimensions that are available for a wine cooler.  Each of our counter-top models will have their respective dimensions clearly displayed.  Select a wine cooler that will fit your needs and space limitations.

3.  I just got my compressor-designed wine cooler; can I plug it in right away?

No, the new wine cooler should stand a minimum 2 hour period before plugging it in.  There is oil in the compressor that may have

moved up into the sealed system while being shipped.  Letting the unit stand allows the oil time to settle.  Plugging it in immediately could result in damage to the unit.  Consult your products factory supplied information package for more information.  If you purchased a thermoelectric type wine cooler, it can be used immediately.

4.  Can I run a small appliance on top of my wine cooler?

No, you should not operate any appliance from on top of your wine cooler, unless it has a designed in work top, or run any appliance from the same circuit as the cooler. 

 5.  Are there wine coolers that can accommodate cans and other beverages?

We have several products that store wine as well as canned beverages.  These products are in the Beverage Cooler category.  We alsocarry several products that will keep mini, pony and full-sized kegs of beer.

6.  Do you have any wine coolers that have locks?

Yes, we have several models that have locks.  Look at the specifications for each product under the “Features” text.  The Freestanding, Built-in and Beverage Cooler categories all show products with locks.  We have also set up a product category exclusively showing Locking Wine Coolers.

7.  What does “dual-zone” mean in some product descriptions?

Some wine coolers are designed with two separate compartments, each with their own temperature controls.  This dual-zone storage feature allows storage of your wine collection at different temperatures; for example, red as opposed to white wine.

 8.  What are the power requirements for my new wine cooler or beverage center?All of the products we sell require a standard 110 Volt, 15-amp outlet just like a standard refrigerator.  Some single bottle server and chillers may have AC adapters that allow them to run on a 12-volt current like in your car or recreational vehicle.

9.  I have a single zone wine cooler.  What is the best temperature for keeping red and white wines?

If one had to choose just one temperature to store both red and white wines, the temperature setting should be at 55 degrees F.  This temperature is slightly colder than the best one for reds and slightly warmer than the best one for whites.  You can compensate somewhat for this by storing your reds on the top shelves of your wine cooler and the whites on the bottom shelves.  Warmer air will rise to the top and colder air will settle to the bottom.

10. My thermoelectric wine cooler fan seems to run all of the time.  Is something wrong with it?The fan must run continuously to move the air within your wine cooler.  This enables the thermoelectric wine refrigerator to cool your stored wines  equally.   A compressor based wine cooler, which is designed similar to your basic refrigerator, will cycle on and off based on the inside temperature as it relates to your desired temperature setting.  Both of these operating conditions are considered normal.

11. My wine cooler is making weird noises.  What is wrong?

Expansion and contraction of the interior walls of your wine cooler may make a popping or cracking noise.  This is normal behavior.

 13. I bought a portable icemaker but I cannot find where to hook up a drain.  Can you help?

The portable icemakers we carry at Ideal Wine Coolers do not need a drain hook up.  Any ice you do not use melted and recycled into

more fresh ice.  It is important to keep the interior strainer clean because a clogged strainer will affect the efficient operation of the icemaker.

14. I know wine should be stored with relative humidity near 70 percent.  What can I get to monitor  humidity levels in my wine cooler?

Several portable devices are available that can monitor humidity and/or temperature in your wine cooler.  Ideal Wine Coolers has a temperature/humidity gauge available in our Wine Accessory Collection.

15. After I submit my order, how long does it take to get it delivered?

We ship products from warehouses in California, Arizona and Texas.  Order processing usually takes 1 to 2 days before the order is

shipped.  Products purchased that are more than 150 pounds must be shipped via freight carrier.  Depending on where you live, delivery time may approach a week.  Normally items will be shipped using standard UPS ground shipping that may take 3 to 5 days after your order is processed.  For wine accessory items, allow 5 to 7 days before shipping.  We normally notify everyone as soon as an item ships by e-mail with all pertinent delivery information.  See our website section on “Policies” for customer responsibilies.

 Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers

This month Ideal Wine Coolers is pleased to be offering over 20% off of selected Danby Products.  We will offer these highly reduced prices throughout the month of February 2010.  Danby manufacturers a wine cooler that will have many highly sought after upgrades.  This is your chance to get a top quality wine cooler at reduced prices.  We are also offering one of the most popular beverage centers that can store cans as well as wine.  If you often wanted to serve your visitors a good cold draft, we also have placed one of Danby’s most popular kegcoolers on sale. See our “Monthly Sale Page” at the top of this Blog for more information and product pictures.

We also offer many quality wine cooler products from EdgeStar, Haier and Vinotemp.

Author: Ronald Senn, Vice-president, Ideal Wine Coolers, 2/1/2010