When a metal wine rack is sold as “single deep”, “double deep” or “triple deep”, the number tells you how many bottles sit one behind the other in each position. It is the easiest way to double or triple a wall’s capacity without using more wall, but it also changes how far the rack sticks out into the room. This guide gives the real depth figures for VintageView racks from our product pages, so you can plan clearances before you buy.
What 1-deep, 2-deep and 3-deep mean
VintageView W Series and Evolution racks store bottles label forward: each bottle lies on its side, parallel to the wall, with the label facing you. In a single-deep rack there is one bottle per position. A double-deep rack holds a second bottle directly behind the first, and a triple-deep rack holds a third behind that.
- Single deep: every label is on display and every bottle is easy to reach. Best for a showpiece wall or a collection of many different wines.
- Double deep: twice the bottles in the same wall area. The front row is on display; the back row is best used for a second bottle of the same wine.
- Triple deep: three times the capacity. Ideal when you buy by the case and want the front bottle to act as the “label” for the two behind it.
Depth off the wall: the actual numbers
The table below uses the depth figures listed on each product page. Because the bottle sits parallel to the wall, each extra row adds roughly one bottle diameter, not one bottle length.
| Rack | Single deep | Double deep | Triple deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Series Wine Rack 3 (36 in tall, 13 in wide) | 4-1/4 in, 9 bottles | 8-1/2 in, 18 bottles | 12 in, 27 bottles |
| W Series Wine Rack 5 kit (60 in tall, 13 in wide) | 5.25 in, 15 bottles | 8.5 in, 30 bottles | 12 in, 45 bottles |
| W Series Frame 10, bottles on one side (includes backer bar) | 6.75 in | 10 in | 13.5 in |
Two things to note. First, the single-deep figure for wall-mounted W Series racks is listed as 4-1/4 inches on the W Series 3 page and 5.25 inches “with wine bottles stored” on the W Series 5 kit page, so plan for the larger number to be safe. Second, floor-to-ceiling frames sit a little deeper than wall racks because the frame and backer bar add depth.
Double-sided frames
If you build a freestanding room divider with bottles on both sides of a W Series Frame 10, the frame page lists these total depths:
| Front / back | Total depth |
|---|---|
| Single / single | 11.5 in |
| Single / double | 14.75 in |
| Single / triple | 18.25 in |
| Double / double | 18 in |
| Double / triple | 21.5 in |
| Triple / triple | 25 in |
How to choose the right depth for your space
Hallways and stairwells
In a walkway, every inch counts. A single-deep wall rack keeps the projection to about 4 to 5 inches, which rarely gets in the way. A triple-deep rack at 12 inches can narrow a hallway enough to catch shoulders and bags. A common rule of thumb for comfortable passing room in a hallway is about 36 inches of clear width, but check your local building code and measure from the face of the bottles, not the wall.
Dining rooms and kitchens
Double deep is often the sweet spot here: 8.5 inches is shallow enough to sit behind a dining chair or beside a counter, and it doubles capacity. Keep door swings and drawer fronts in mind, and leave room to pull the front bottle out cleanly.
Dedicated wine rooms and closets
If the room exists only for wine, triple deep gives the most bottles per square foot of wall. The W Series Single Sided Floating Wine Rack 10 kit holds 21, 42 or 63 bottles depending on depth, and the single- and double-deep versions are listed at 6.75 and 10 inches deep.
When space is extremely tight
If even single deep feels too bulky, the Evolution Low Profile Post Kit 10 1C is listed as starting at just 3 inches in total depth, and it mounts floor to ceiling.
Capacity math for a whole wall
Depth multiplies capacity. The W Series 3 page gives a useful example: each rack is 13 inches wide, so a 6-foot wall fits five racks across. Five triple-deep racks hold 135 bottles in 36 inches of height; stack a second row and you reach 270. The same five racks single deep would hold 45 bottles.
Evolution floor-to-ceiling kits scale the same way. The Evolution Single Sided Wine Wall Post Kit 10 1C is listed at 18, 36 or 54 bottles for single, double or triple depth, and the 3C version at 54, 108 or 162 bottles. For a deeper walk through wall capacity, see our guide to how many bottles fit on a wine wall.
Practical tips before you order
- Mix depths on one wall. Many layouts use single-deep racks at eye level for display and triple-deep racks below for backup stock. Racks of the same series share the same width, so they line up.
- Heavier racks need better anchoring. A full triple-deep rack carries three times the weight of a single-deep one. Mount into studs where you can; our studs vs drywall anchors guide covers the details.
- Check bottle shapes. W Series wall racks are designed for standard 750 ml bottles such as Bordeaux and Burgundy. Magnums and Champagne need magnum-specific racks.
- Measure from the bottle face. Clearance is set by the front of the bottles, not the rack.
Ordering and design help
We are an authorized VintageView dealer. Orders of $999 or more ship free; below that, shipping is a flat $200. Returns follow our return and refund policy. Send us your wall measurements or call 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST) and we will help lay out the depth mix. Browse every rack on our VintageView brand page, or start with the full wine rack and cellar storage guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a double-deep wine rack twice as deep as a single-deep one?
Roughly, yes, because bottles are stored parallel to the wall. The W Series 3 goes from 4-1/4 inches single deep to 8-1/2 inches double deep and 12 inches triple deep.
Can you see the labels on the back bottles?
The front bottle’s label is fully visible. The bottles behind it are there for storage, which is why most people use the back rows for duplicates of the wine in front.
Which depth gives the best value?
Deeper racks store more bottles per rack, so the cost per bottle drops as depth increases. Check the price for each depth option on the product page, since they are priced separately.
Can I combine single and triple deep racks on one wall?
Yes. Racks within the same series share the same width, so you can stack or line up different depths. Just remember the wall will have an uneven face, which many people use as a design feature.
