Wine Not? Inside the Best Superyacht Wine Cellars
By Risa Merl and Emily Dawkins
It's undeniable that part of the joy of the yachting experience is indulging in the chef's culinary creations. To complement the work of these galley gourmets, the right wine pairings are essential.
Uncork and unwind, as BOAT rounds up a sampling of the best onboard wine and spirit cellars around – because, wine not?
Black Pearl's 4,000-Bottle Cellar
It is not just the impressive Dynarig sail configuration and status as the second largest sailing superyacht in the world that makes the 106.7-meter Black Pearl stand out from the crowd. When her (previously secretive) interiors were revealed for the first time last year, the industry was greeted with a Louis XVI-styled design, laced with neoclassical details and packed with custom amenities. One of which was her 4,000-bottle wine cellar and adjoining tasting room, from which guests can choose their liquid complement to a gourmet dinner.
Serenissima I's Gentleman's Lounge
The first unit from Mengi Yay's sub-500GT series, Serenissima I, was commissioned by an experienced owner who sought the interior and deck space of a larger vessel in a "Med-friendly" package. As a result, the 47.5-meter – penned throughout by Nuvolari Lenard – is packed with amenities for cruising in ultimate comfort. One such addition is the "gentleman's lounge", complete with a cinema, drop-down balcony and a walk-in, glass-encased wine cellar - backlit in onyx, framed by walnut joinery and fitted with its very own retro-red Berkel flywheel meat slicer.
Skyfall's Extravagant Wine-Wrapped Foyer
From the first step on board the 57.9-meter Trinity Yachts motor yacht Skyfall, you can tell the importance given to guest comfort and indulgence. Stepping inside on the main deck aft, guests are greeted with a grand entry foyer flanked by floor-to-ceiling wine storage units and custom humidors. Interior designer Patrick Knowles chose dark woods and illuminated shelving to make the statement cabinet, which lies within easy reach of the skylounge bar.
Emocean's Crystal Wine Wall
Emocean is the first explorer yacht from Rosetti Yachts and was built for an eco-conscious owner, designed with fuel-efficient engines and vegan interior furnishings in order to cruise the world with a reduced footprint. Well-prepared for longer voyages, the passageway to the dining room of the 38.2-meter motor yacht features a crystal wine cellar that takes up the entire starboard wall, with space for storing 150 bottles.
Aurora's "Jewelry Shop Window" Cellar
The glass-clad wine cellar in the main deck lobby of the 49.9-meter Rossinavi yacht Aurora was a key focus during the design phase, described by her interior designer, Achille Salvagni, as "the heart of the yacht". Salvagni told BOAT International in 2018: "Originally, the layout had the wine cellar elsewhere, but every time we reviewed the layout, [the owner] focused on the wine cellar, so I said: ‘Listen, this is too important to be relegated to the side.’ You have different light effects, according to the kind of wine, and because wine can be affected by light, we had to install a computer that can be codified according to the wine".
Audrey the First's Bar-Cum-Divider
Launched by Nautor's Swan in 2021, the 36.4-meter sailing yacht Audrey the First is the flagship of the yard's Maxi line. Her award-winning interiors by Mark Whiteley have been designed in a “modernized classic” style that sets her apart from other performance cruisers. Living spaces feature mahogany and stainless steel detailing, one of which is the glass-fronted cellar and wine bar that creates a transitional area between guest and crew spaces.
Gigia's Vintage Display
The 85-meter Gigia features plenty of space throughout her interiors for entertaining, and a meal in her elegant dining room that seats 18 would not be complete without the perfect wine pairing. Launched by Lürssen in 2017 with styling by Winch Design, a unique wine presentation and storage area faces the dining room on the main deck and displays, in full splendor, a selection of vintages kept on board for owners and guests to enjoy.
Endless Summer's Symmetrical Climate-Controlled Cellar
Entertaining friends and family was a high priority aboard the design of the 49.9-meter Delta Marine motor yacht Endless Summer, and, accordingly, considerable attention has been devoted to food and wine, with the extensive wine collection afforded special status. Ascending the stairs to the upper deck, an impressive wine collection is housed behind a glass wall in a climate-controlled cellar. Built in dark wood and softly lit, the symmetry of the bottles in serried floor-to-ceiling ranks creates a striking impression.
No Bad Ideas' Cellar Beneath the Stairs
"To put it on the main deck companionway would have been too intrusive – so we identified a spot under the stairs and made a bespoke wine cellar," A La Mer partner, Nikki Fhon, the interior designer of Trinity Yachts' 48.8-meter No Bad Ideas, explained, following the yacht's extensive refit. Delicately curved into the space beneath the main deck stairs, the 400-bottle glass wine cellar is showcased with a glass door and tiered shelving, highlighting the boat's impressive collection of fine wines in a handy, yet stylish location.
Victorious' Glass-Clad Spirit Shelving
A tipple on board AKYACHT’s 85-meter flagship Victorious is best enjoyed in the atmospheric gentleman’s club-inspired bar lounge. The cosy room styled by H2 Yacht Design features a glass-clad wine cellar and backlit shelves for showcasing rare vintages of whisky and cognac. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine with a cigar from the humidor in front of the magnificent marbled fireplace, or head out to the terrace to take in the views over an al fresco drink.
Andromeda's Wine Tasting Room
The ruggedly handsome 107-meter Andromeda might be known as the toughest toybox on the water but her explorer yacht exterior belies an interior packed with creature comforts. This includes the wow-factor of a wine cellar. It's not simply a space for storing wine away, but also where guests can be invited for intimate wine tastings.
Suerte's Modern Art Display
The wine wall on board Tankoa’s 69-meter superyacht Suerte, launched in 2015, is as much a work of art as the installation hanging from the ceiling above it. This decorative modern wine storage solution stands out in the yacht's art-filled dining room, which is one of the best interior design features of Suerte.
Apricity's Stylish and Stable Cabinet
Chic glass and chrome panels show off perfectly organized wine bottles (and a humidor) onboard the 49.9-meter Overmarine Mangusta yacht Apricity. This fast planing yacht can host up to 10 guests for wine tasting on board - proof that a high-performance Mangusta yacht can carry a complement of wine safely and stylishly while cruising at speeds of 35 knots.
Paraffin's Classical 200-Bottle Showcase
Feadship's 60-meter Paraffin boasts space on board for up to 400 bottles of the best vintage wines - 200 of which are stored in a beautiful display case overlooking the formal dining area. The myriad of wine bottles serve as a perfect complement to the stately and serene dining saloon, well in place amongst the classically styled interior by Lisa Kittredge.
Juneluck's Ceiling-Height Centerpiece
Juneluck (ex Broadwalk) was first delivered by Feadship in 1994 but underwent an extensive conversion project at Royal Huisman from 2019 to 2020. The interior refresh of the 56-meter classic motor yacht included the addition of a central, ceiling-height wine cabinet in the dining room, alongside an amoeba-shaped dining table and organic pebble hardware inspired by the works of sculptor Alexander Calder.
Highlander's Ample Party Cellar
Launched in 1986, the famed 49.5-meter Feadship motor yacht Highlander might be known for her boxy exterior design by Jon Bannenberg, but she also hides some intriguing interior features, such as an ample wine cellar. Once the ultimate floating salon of the 1980s power elite – with guests from Warhol to the Reagans – Highlander (previously The Highlander) was Malcolm Forbes’ personal playground and business tool. Used extensively for entertaining, it's no surprise that she boasts a few hundred bottles of the finest vintage wines and bruts.
A2's Gimballed Wine Spheres
Gimballed storage spheres on the 47-meter A2 are not just an artistic touch: they help protect the wine from cracks and bumps at sea. The clever and good-looking spherical wine storage on the rebuilt Feadship is just one of the classic yacht's many new and modern charms; she also features a rare Peter Marino interior characterized by a stylish mix of teak and bronze.