A tall wine fridge is a full height wine refrigerator, usually 53 to 70 inches high, that stores a whole collection in one cabinet instead of a few dozen bottles under the counter. In our listings, tall units hold roughly 100 to 170 standard bottles and most cost about $1,740 to $3,300, with a commercial Viking column at the top of the range. The right one comes down to four things: how many bottles you really need, the height and width you can give it, one zone or two, and whether it will stand alone or be built into cabinetry.
For the basics of picking any wine cooler, start with our wine fridge buying guide.
Tall wine fridge options we carry, compared
Specs below come from our product pages and are the manufacturers’ numbers. Bottle counts assume standard 750 ml bottles. Prices can change, so call to confirm before you order.
| Model | Height x width | Bottles | Zones and range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empava WC05S | 55 x 23.4 in | 127 | Single, 40 to 66°F | $1,774.28 |
| Empava WC06D | 55 x 23.4 in | 116 | Dual, 40 to 50°F and 50 to 66°F | $1,847.67 |
| Empava 67 inch single zone | 67 x 24 in | Not listed | Single | $1,736.99 |
| Empava 67 inch dual zone | 67 x 24 in | Not listed | Dual | $1,879.69 |
| Empava WC07S | 70 in, width not listed | Up to 170, or 60 magnums | Single | $2,099.99 |
| Empava WC08D | 70 in, width not listed | Not listed | Dual, reds 55 to 65°F, whites 45 to 55°F | $2,109.00 |
| Wine Cellars Reagan cabinet | 66.1 in, 28.3 x 25.2 in footprint | 102 | Single, 41 to 71°F | $2,373.99 |
| HomeRoots 69 inch stainless | 69.29 x 23.43 in | 165 | Single, 40 to 65°F | $3,298.99 |
| Viking VCWD630 | Height not listed, 30 in wide | 160 | Dual, 43 to 65°F each | $12,669.00 |
Where a cell says “Not listed,” the product page does not give that figure. Call us and we will check with the manufacturer. You can see the full Empava range on our Empava brand page.
How tall is a tall wine fridge? 53, 55, 67 and 70 inch heights
Full size wine refrigerators cluster around a few heights. The 53 and 55 inch units are about chest high and suit a wall under a window or a run without upper cabinets. The 67 to 70 inch units are close to the height of a standard refrigerator and read as a piece of furniture or a tall pantry cabinet.
Before you pick a height, measure three things: the ceiling or soffit above the spot, any upper cabinet or shelf the door must clear, and the delivery path. A 70 inch cabinet has to come through doorways, around corners and sometimes down stairs, and these units are heavy. The Empava WC05S, for example, lists a net weight of 180.8 lbs.
Full size wine refrigerator capacity: how many bottles
Bottle ratings assume slim, standard Bordeaux style 750 ml bottles. The HomeRoots listing says so directly: 165 “standard Bordeaux sized bottles.” Wider Burgundy, Champagne or Pinot bottles take more room, so real capacity is usually lower than the rating.
Some tall units are built for bigger formats. Empava says the WC07S holds up to 170 standard bottles or up to 60 magnums using its removable racks. If you buy magnums, look for removable or adjustable shelves rather than fixed racks. The WC05S lists 12 removable beech shelves and the HomeRoots lists 14 wooden shelves plus a bottom basket.
WineRacks.com’s guide to choosing a wine fridge makes a simple point that matters most with a large unit: think about where your collection will be in a few years, not just today, so you do not outgrow the fridge.
24 inch wide, 70 inch tall: fitting the footprint
Most tall wine fridges stay slim. The Empava 55 inch models list 23.4 inches wide and 26.8 inches deep, and the HomeRoots lists 23.43 inches wide and 26.77 inches deep. Both are deeper than a standard 24 inch base cabinet, so they will sit a little proud of the cabinet fronts. The Wine Cellars Reagan cabinet has a wider 28.3 by 25.2 inch footprint, and the Viking is 30 inches wide.
Door swing matters more on a tall unit because the door is so large. Check that it opens fully past walls and islands. The WC05S and the HomeRoots both list a reversible door. Our 24 inch wine fridge guide covers cutout widths and measuring in detail.
Built in vs freestanding: what a 70 inch wine cooler needs
A wine fridge pushes heat out as it cools. A front venting unit can be fitted between cabinets because it breathes through the grille at the bottom front. A rear venting unit needs open air around it, which is why freestanding models should not be boxed in.
- HomeRoots 69 inch: listed for both built in and freestanding setups.
- Viking VCWD630: described as front venting.
- Wine Cellars Reagan: listed as freestanding.
- Empava tall models: confirm with us before building one into cabinetry, since clearances vary by model.
Power is the other half of the job. Follow the manual, which typically calls for a dedicated, grounded outlet with no extension cord. A licensed electrician and your local code have the final word. Our wine fridge installation guide covers clearance, venting and outlets step by step.
Dual zone in a tall wine fridge
A tall cabinet has room for two climates, which is useful if you keep both reds and whites ready to serve. The Empava WC08D lists reds at 55 to 65°F and whites at 45 to 55°F in separate zones. The WC06D lists an upper zone of 40 to 50°F and a lower zone of 50 to 66°F. The Viking lets each zone run anywhere from 43 to 65°F.
If you mostly age wine long term, one zone may be all you need, and single zone units like the WC05S (127 bottles) often hold more than their dual zone siblings, such as the WC06D (116 bottles). WineRacks.com describes single zone units as ideal if you mainly drink one type of wine and dual zone as a fit for collectors who enjoy both. Our dual zone vs single zone comparison goes deeper on the tradeoffs.
Features worth checking on a big cabinet
- Lock: the Empava WC07S, the Reagan and the Viking all list a lockable door, useful with kids, guests or a valuable collection.
- Vibration control: WineRacks.com notes that vibration can disturb sediment. The WC07S lists vibration dampening beech racks, and the Viking lists shelves coated to reduce vibration.
- Light protection: the HomeRoots lists a UV blocking tempered glass door, the Viking lists Low E glass, and the Reagan lists double layer insulated tempered glass.
- Humidity: the Reagan lists a 55% to 75% humidity range, which helps keep corks from drying out.
- Noise: the HomeRoots lists a 41 dB compressor, worth noting if the fridge will sit in a living space.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is a full size wine refrigerator?
Most full size wine refrigerators we carry are 53 to 70 inches tall. The Empava range comes in 53, 55, 67 and 70 inch heights, the Reagan cabinet is 66.1 inches and the HomeRoots is 69.29 inches.
How many bottles does a 70 inch wine cooler hold?
In our listings, 70 inch class units are rated for about 160 to 170 standard bottles. The Empava WC07S lists up to 170, and the 69.29 inch HomeRoots lists 165. Expect fewer with wide or oversized bottles.
Can a tall wine fridge be built in?
Only if the manufacturer lists it for built in use, which usually means front venting. The HomeRoots is listed as built in or freestanding. Call us to confirm a specific model before you build cabinets around it.
Is there a 24 inch wide dual zone tall wine fridge?
Yes. The Empava WC06D (23.4 inches wide, 55 inches tall) and the Empava 67 inch dual zone model are both about 24 inches wide with two temperature zones.
Ready to choose? We offer free freight shipping on orders of $999 or more, and a $200 flat rate below that. Questions about sizing, venting or a specific model? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. You can also read our return and refund policy before you order.
