• What color are the wine racks, and what advice can you offer for choosing between them?
• Can I order a different color?
• Can I store as many bottles as with "regular" wine racks?
• How far do the racks stick out?
• Where exactly are the mounting holes?
• How big a bottle can I insert in the rack?
• Can the racks hold a split (half bottle) in their normal mounting?
• How much space should I allow for a typical installation?
• How many racks will I need for my wine room?
• Can you cut racks for me?  How would I cut them myself?
• Can you help me design my wine room or store layout?
• How do I layout multiple racks for mounting?
• What tools are required to install the racks?
• I'll probably mount on drywall.  What fasteners do I need, and is it safe?
• What fasteners do I need for other mounting situations?
• What are the racks made of?
• Can I get custom-built racks for specific mounting situations?
• Are there any differences between the black and nickel racks other than color?

(See also "About This Website and Bracksco" below)

What color are the wine racks, and what advice can you offer for choosing between them?

VintageView wine racks come in satin black or nickel (brushed stainless steel), also known as the "Platinum Series."  Some people choose nickel for a more dramatic, modern effect, calling attention to the rack itself; but black lets the focus be on the wine bottle and label.  The original semi-gloss green color has been discontinued.  (You may click the picture to the left to enlarge the photo comparing the racks.)

Can I order a different color?

Yes ... for an additional fee, as your order would be custom produced (powder coated) to your color specification.  In 2010, we started offering racks in copper, brass, chrome, black pearl, rustic red, and antique brown finishes, for example.  As of January 2013, Black Pearl and Chrome are stocked, otherwise lead time is 8-10 weeks, and price is an additional $20-45 per rack.  Contact us with your requirements.  Note that the racks may be spray painted by you, if desired.

Can I store as many bottles as with "regular" wine racks?

Yes, assuming you order the 3-bottle deep racks.  You may also find you get additional space in corners.  Further, if you alternate the direction of every second rack of wine, you can interlace the necks of the bottles and gain up to 19% more space over traditional racking.  See Interlacing Bottles with VintageView Wine Racks, and call for further information on this option.

How far do the racks stick out?

The 1-bottle rack extends 5¼ inches from the wall, the 2-bottle rack 8½ inches, and the 3-bottle rack 12 inches.  The 1-bottle magnum rack extends 5-¼"; the 2-bottle magnum extends 10".

Where exactly are the mounting holes?

On the 4’ models, the mounting holes are 4” from each end and one is centered at 24”.  On 3’ models, the mounting holes are 4” from each end and 16” down from the top for the third hole.  The MAG racks have the mounting holes 5” from each end and 20” up from the bottom.

How big a bottle can I insert in the rack?

The maximum diameter that will pass though regular racks without bending the rods is 3-3/8 inches.  Burgundy style bottles are typically 3¼ inches; Bordeaux bottles are under 3 inches.  Some unusually thick bottles (including better Pinot Noirs and Zins) might not fit, and don't try to stuff in one of those fat Chianti bottles wrapped in basket reeds, either!  However, we sell Magnum racks and Big Ones (for 3-6L bottles) which will accommodate your larger bottles.  (Maybe that Chianti bottle will fit in a Big One!)

Can the racks hold a split (half bottle) in their normal mounting?

Yes, although 5½" spacing between mounting strips is ideal, for a column width of 10" (see next question).

How much space should I allow for a typical installation?

13" per column, assuming you don't interlace.  Standard wine bottles average 12 inches in length.  We recommend allowing 1 inch between bottles (a half inch contributed by each column).  In this configuration, the two vertical mounting strips of each rack would be mounted 7½ inches apart, leaving 5½ inches to the next vertical.  (Note that our Presentation Rack is 39" wide, designed to fit exactly over three 13" columns, although it can be cut.)  However, you may wish to mount some racks further apart for extra long bottles, or closer together for short bottles, such as splits.  And if you alternate bottle direction and interlace the necks (see Interlacing Bottles with VintageView Wine Racks), you can cut down the 13" to as low as 10½".  For magnum racks, you can mount the strips up to 10" apart with 15" for the column; or if you are using the magnum racks for champagne, mount them 7½" apart with 14" columns.  Flexibility in mounting is a significant feature of VintageView wine racks!

How many racks will I need for my wine room?

Assuming you aren't interlacing, divide the length of the wall in inches by 13 and round down to the next whole number.  Then decide on the height to figure out what combination of whole (or cut) 3-foot and 4-foot racks you need vertically.  Without cutting, your height can be 3, 4, or 6 feet high, or any whole number greater than 6 feet.  When deciding height, consider whether or not you will be raising the racks above the floor level (for a baseboard or storage, for example), and allow 1-2" extra at the top to remove the top row of bottles.  We typically recommend 7' of rack height, composed of a 3' and a 4' rack, because a 6' person can just reach the top bottles at this height.  We are here to help you with all these decisions -- call us!

Can you cut racks for me?  How would I cut them myself?

Yes, we can cut racks for you, though we charge an extra fee.  Sometimes cutting necessitates drilling an extra mounting hole, which requires a special drill (unless you carefully use two drills).  You must have a minimum of two mounting holes per section.  We'll walk you through your options.  The cost for us to do the cutting and any required redrilling is $10 for one cut, $2 for each additional cut on the same rack.

If you want to cut a rack yourself, cut from the bottom of the rack that will be lowest, and measure very, very carefully!  Layout both sides before you cut, so you can see what will happen.  Wrap the area in masking tape, and cut with a hacksaw or an electric "chop" saw.  Then smooth the area with a metal file and buff it with steel wool (before removing the masking tape). 

Can you help me design my wine room or store layout?

YES -- we offer a FREE DESIGN SERVICE!  Phone, fax, email, or mail us details or a sketch of your wine room or store area, and we will return a computer-designed layout of exactly what wine racks you need and what your options are.  We can also show you how racking can fit in a closet or a cabinet.  See several room, store, and cabinet design samples.  The Bracksco owners have built their own wine room, and we will be happy to discuss your plans with you.  We have done this for many, many customers!  (We ask only that if we do the design for you that you place your rack order with us, not someone else...)

How do I layout multiple racks for mounting?

There are numerous ways to layout your racks to get them mounted evenly.  MOST IMPORTANT:  Lay it all out first, before drilling any holes!  Basically, you need to:

• Set a baseline - the bottom of your row of racks

• Mark the center positions of each rack side along the baseline (generally 7-1/2" between the two sides, 5-1/2" to the next rack's side)

• Hold a rack on the baseline, level it, mark the holes (or 1 hole to get started)

• Drill the hole(s)

• Screw in the rack, using a wall anchor if necessary

• Repeat the process for the other two holes in each side

• Add the hole covers

• Move on to the next rack

Here is ONE approach for doing this.

If you are using two or more racks in a column, complete the bottom section first, being sure to put in the rack spacer before you mount it.  Tap the second rack down onto the spacer and continue up the column, using your level and appropriate other tools.

What tools are required to install the racks?

Assuming a drywall mount, a Phillips screwdriver, measuring tape, and a level are really all you need, though you may also choose to employ a stud finder, drill, masking tape, and a wine bottle.  Racks come with detailed mounting instructions and should take no more than 15 minutes per rack to install, in small quantities.  Multi-column installations require more time due to layout and alignment considerations.  Also, it takes longer to mount on drywall than wood.

You may mount your rack on drywall, wood, brick, or stone (though mounting on brick or stone may take a bit longer and require a special drill bit).  Your choice of mounting surface will determine which type of mounting hardware you will need to buy.  Your instructions will come with a toll free number that you may call to consult on installation options, if you wish.  (Depending on your choice of mounting fasteners and surface, you may also need a drill, regular screwdriver, or hex nut driver.)

I'll probably mount on drywall.  What fasteners do I need, and is it safe?

More VintageView racks are probably mounted on drywall than any other surface, and none have been reported to have fallen off.  Yet the answer to this question is complicated enough that we've devoted a separate page to it.  Read our peace-of-mind discussion on Mounting VintageView Racks on Drywall.

What fasteners do I need for other mounting situations?

For wood (the ideal surface on which to install), you can use #8 screws long enough to penetrate the wood completely (we recommend at least 1/2" of wood).  We also recommend Hex Washer Head screws, like that shown to the left, because they offer threads the full length of the screw.  They also allow you to get an extra grip on the screw using a hex nut wrench, plus they have a built-in washer.  Choose a length equal to or slightly longer than the thickness of the wood backing (plus a fraction for the rack), unless you are mounting in a cabinet and don't want the screw to stick out the back!

For concrete or brick, use 1-1/4" long (minimum) 3/16" Tapcon^® screws, which look very similar to the hex washer head screws, but they are designed to cut into concrete or brick.  If there is stucco on the concrete, increase the length appropriately.  A hammer drill is the best tool for installation in this case.  If the bricks are very old, or the surface is uneven, or you want an artistic effect, use floor-to-ceiling mounts instead.

What are the racks made of?

VintageView WS and MAG series wine racks are made from mild steel with a welded construction to provide a lifetime of service.  The black finish is a baked-on powder coat, while the Platinum series racks bear a nickel plate with a clear coat finish for added durability.  Mounting holes are covered with plastic caps, and rubber end tips are added.

Can I get custom-built racks for specific mounting situations?

Yes!  Racks have been created for floor and ceiling mounting, archways, etc.  We sell special supports to mount on curved walls, for example, or floor-to-ceiling mounts on which you can mount racks on both sides.  Plus we sell custom colors.  Call or write to discuss your requirements.

Are there any differences between the black and nickel racks other than color?

Background:  The design of both the original (discontinued) green and nickel rack mounting changed starting with the availability of nickel racks in early 2004.  All racks produced since then have the mounting holes at the same height on each side, and the bottles tip slightly downward on the neck side by approximately 3/16".  This has to do with earthquake protection!  You can alter the angle of the bottle on any rack by changing the mounting height of either side, of course.  If you are mixing new and old style racks, just pay attention to the mounting hole positions and decide if you want to offset the new racks by 3/16" on one side to equalize bottle angles with the old racks.

Also, starting in 2007 the steel is slightly thicker and the nickel racks are finished with more of a brushed look than previously.

Starting in 2010, the nickel racks come with gray rubber tips, while the black has the original black tips.  If you are ordering nickel to expand a previous purchase, be sure to discuss tip replacement.

One other difference:  Think of the nickel racks as bright (shiny brushed effect) and the black racks as flat in appearance.  The nickel racks promote a "modern" feeling, while the black racks are far less visible.

About This Website and Bracksco ...

What does the "W3C" icon mean in the bottom left of each web page?

"W3C" means "World Wide Web Consortium," and the icon means that each page of this website has had its HTML (coding) tested against their standards to make sure it is correct, thus maximizing the chance that each page will display correctly with all modern web browsers.  (However, we do not support correct display in web browsers older than IE 5.5 or Netscape 6.0.)  In addition, this site is coded to the government accessibility standards known as "Section 508," to maximize its usability by people with disabilities, especially people who are blind or have low vision and use Screen Readers.  An invisible "Skip Navigation" link is provided for Screen Reader users on each page.

Who designed this website, and can you design one for me?

Bracksco owner Fred Brack designed the website; and yes, website design is another service of Bracksco!  Other websites designed by Fred include The Audio Description Project.  Use the "Contact Us" link for more information.

Does Bracksco offer any other services?

Yes, Kathy Brack is an experienced usability tester for websites intended to be usable by people who are blind and use Screen Readers, and Fred has extensive experience in usability testing of both websites and written materials (such as manuals or brochures).  He's very picky and finds errors and omissions that others miss!  Please contact us if we can help you.

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