Frequently Asked Questions

A: All of our racking is solid wood. Due to the nature of solid mahogany in humid environments, Vigilant utilizes the strength and rigidity of MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) on all of our solid panels in our cellar components. MDF is an extremely versatile product that is suitable for many interior projects. It is an asset for shelving, cupboards and surfaces inside the home.

It has a fine texture that is even throughout its length. This is due to the method used in manufacture. Bonding wooden fibres together under high pressure forms MDF.

A: All wine racks are not the same. Many of the inexpensive wine racks are made of soft woods that are weak and susceptible to rot. For many of these racking companies, the priority is to minimize material usage and cut costs rather than to produce wine racks that reflect sound design and construction. In fact, most wine rack kits are only 9" deep, a full three inches shorter than most wine bottles.

There are significant differences in design and construction of wine racks. Vigilant racking is the strongest and most durable available.

A: Once we have your information, we'll have a preliminary design in three to five business days.

A: Depending on the size and complexity of your order, it can take between two and ten weeks for your wine racks to be ready to ship.

A: Our wine rack kits can be installed with a limited knowledge of woodworking using common house tools. Custom wine racking is a bit more detailed requiring more advanced skills and equipment.

A:

A: Wine cellar design is both art and science. The level of your involvement in the design will depend on your interest and aptitude in the areas of construction and design. Spend time with either the Vigilant catalog or in the Custom Wine Cellar section of this web site to learn the standard conventions and storage components of a wine cellar. Determine how many bottles of wine you want to store and the space you will use for the cellar. Then contact one of our Vigilant wine cellar consultants to assist you with the next step!

Call us at (877) 766-6808 or Contact Us.

A: There are many different ways to make wine racks. In fact, there are many different storage methods for wine. Wine racking must be durable, strong and attractive and few companies actually deliver on all these fronts. Consider that a 100-bottle wine rack will need to hold over 350 pounds of wine! We make our racks of solid mahogany and all components are screwed or nailed together.

A: Some of our systems require a certified HVAC technician, while others can be plugged into a standard household electrical outlet.

A: We have many strong relationships with builders and installers all over the country and we will be happy to refer you to someone in your geographic location. If you are looking for in-home service, contact us here.

A: To check the set point on the RH controller, press the far left scroll key (oval in shape). The display should flash between SP and a number. This number is the set point. It should be set at 70. If this is not the case, while the display is still flashing, press the up or down arrow accordingly until it reaches 70. Once that is done press the far right = button and it should stop flashing and begin to read the current RH level. Your RH set point is now set. Please note: If you see anything other than SP and a number such as Cntl, or letters you don’t understand, call Customer Service. This tells us that the programming has been unlocked, and we will need to double check all parameters and relock the controller.

A: All instructions are packaged with the hardware that goes with your wine racking. If you have a custom order, you should be able to find it in a small box with hardware. Electronic versions can be viewed here.

A: For best results, you should replace your wicking filters about every 3-4 months.

A: You should inspect all boxes in your shipment to make sure there is not damage to other pieces. You also need to keep the original packing materials in case an item has to be returned. Call customer service at 888-812-4427 Ext. 405 with any and all information you can gather from your paperwork. Damaged goods should be claimed no later than 15 days after delivery.

A: Make sure that your wicking filter is clean, no boxes are stacked over the fan, and there is at least a 2” gap open in the back of the cabinet for proper air flow. If that isn’t the problem, make sure that the cabinet is out of direct sunlight, and the door on the cabinet is closed all the way. Place your hand over the RH sensor, located either inside on the back wall or below the drawer on the back side of the metal brace bar. Cover your sensor with your hand and see if the RH readout rises. If none of these work, please call customer service.