Transtherm Ermitage Glass + Alum Full Shelf #17045

(3 Reviews)
SKU: 17045 Transth Ermitage Gls ALUM Full Shl
Use Code EXWTY1 during checkout to receive a FREE EXTENDED WARRANTY on this item.
$5,595.00
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Details

The Ermitage is built for collectors who have outgrown casual storage and want cellar-level conditions in a freestanding cabinet. It holds 182 bottles across 14 adjustable rolling shelves and one half shelf at the bottom, with a single temperature zone that runs between 43 and 64°F and a maximum internal variation of just 2–3°F. Unlike most wine cabinets that only cool, the Ermitage also heats, which matters if you plan to place it in a garage, basement or any unconditioned space where ambient temperatures swing well below freezing in winter.

The compressor is mechanically isolated from the cabinet body and runs at 37 dBA, quiet enough for a dining room or study without calling attention to itself. Humidity is managed by a thermal pump that recycles condensation internally and holds 55%–80% RH without manual intervention. The aluminum interior replaced the earlier thermoformed polystyrene, and the rolling shelves use low-profile grooves that accommodate standard Bordeaux bottles alongside wider Burgundy formats. The glass door handle is removable and reversible if left-hand swing suits your space better, and the digital control panel displays temperature and humidity with separate alerts for open-door, sensor fault and out-of-range conditions.

Best For

  • Installing in a garage, basement or unconditioned room where seasonal temperature swings would overwhelm a cooling-only cabinet
  • Storing a mixed Bordeaux and Burgundy collection where adjustable shelving and bottle-friendly grooves need to handle different bottle diameters without compromise
  • Placing a large-capacity cabinet in a living or dining space where a 37 dBA operating level and vibration-isolated compressor protect long-term aging
  • Consolidating a 100–182 bottle collection into a single freestanding unit during a home remodel or second-home outfitting

Features

  • Active heating and cooling: Unlike most wine cabinets that only cool, the Ermitage includes a heating element that allows operation in unconditioned spaces — unfinished basements, garages or seasonal homes — across the full 32–95°F ambient range without needing a climate-controlled room.
  • Temperature stability within 2–3°F: The electronic regulation system holds internal variance to a maximum of 2–3°F, relevant for long-term cellaring where swings compound over years.
  • Vibration isolation: Slow, balanced compressors are mechanically decoupled from the cabinet body, minimizing the low-frequency vibration that can disturb sediment in aged Bordeaux and Burgundy.
  • Thermal pump humidity recycling (Transtherm exclusive): Rather than passively managing humidity, the thermal pump recycles condensation internally to maintain 55%–80% RH. You can also add water to the system to raise humidity if needed.
  • 14 adjustable rolling shelves with low-profile grooves: Shelves slide out for access and the groove profile accommodates mixed bottle diameters — standard Bordeaux, wider Burgundy and Champagne — without reconfiguring. Each shelf holds 12 bottles; a half shelf at the bottom adds 14 more for a total of 182.
  • Aluminum interior: The inner lining has been upgraded from thermoformed polystyrene to aluminum, which is more durable and easier to clean.
  • Alarm suite: Separate alerts for open door, temperature deviation, humidity level and sensor fault are displayed on the front panel — distinguishable at a glance without consulting a manual.
  • Silent operation rated at 37 dBA — quiet enough for living areas or a dining room installation.
  • 4.5cm high-density foam insulation throughout the cabinet walls.
  • Natural ventilation system inhibits mold and odor buildup inside the cabinet.
  • Removable steel and aluminum door handle is reversible, allowing the glass door to swing left or right depending on installation placement.
  • Made in France by Eurocave under the Transtherm brand.

Specs & Resources

Brand: Transtherm

Size: 26¾w x 27¼d x 72h (in)

Weight: 252 lbs

Capacity: Up to 182 bottles

Material: Metal

Power/Rating:
120V / 60Hz; Requires 15-Amp Dedicated Circuit

Warranty:
1-Year Limited Warranty - Parts and Labor
5-Year Limited Warranty - Compressor

Owner's Manual (pdf)
Shelf Configuration (pdf)
Door Reversal Instructions (pdf)

Product Video
Watch Product Video

What These Specs Mean

  • 15-Amp Dedicated Circuit: This cabinet cannot share a circuit with other appliances — it must be wired to its own breaker, which may require an electrician before installation.

FAQs

Can the Transtherm Ermitage be placed in an unconditioned space like a garage, basement or second home that isn't climate-controlled?

A: Yes — the Ermitage includes a built-in heating element that allows it to operate in ambient environments from 32°F to 95°F. This is a meaningful distinction from most wine cabinets, which only cool and are limited to spaces that stay above roughly 50°F. The cabinet also requires 3 inches of clearance behind it and 2 inches on the sides and above, so it is a freestanding unit and cannot be recessed into cabinetry without adequate airflow.

How precise is the temperature control, and what range can it maintain inside the cabinet?

A: The Ermitage uses an electronic temperature regulation system that holds the interior within a maximum variation of 2–3°F. The single temperature zone maintains conditions between 43°F and 64°F, covering the full spectrum from long-term cellaring to near-service temperature. Humidity is actively managed by a thermal pump — a Transtherm exclusive — and held between 55% and 80% RH.

Do the rolling shelves accommodate larger-format bottles like Burgundy or Champagne, or are they sized for standard Bordeaux?

A: The rolling shelves feature low-profile grooves designed to accommodate all bottle sizes, including wider-shouldered Burgundy and Champagne bottles. Each of the 14 adjustable rolling shelves holds 12 bottles, and shelf height is adjustable so you can reconfigure spacing to fit larger formats. The bottom half-shelf holds an additional 14 bottles, bringing the total to 182 bottles as configured.

What are the electrical requirements, and does it need its own dedicated circuit?

A: The Ermitage runs on 120V / 60Hz and requires a 15-amp dedicated circuit. It cannot share a circuit with other appliances. This is a standard requirement for full-size wine cabinets of this class and is straightforward for an electrician to add during a basement finish or kitchen remodel.

How loud is the Ermitage in everyday use, and is it appropriate for a dining room or living space?

A: The cabinet is rated at 37 dBA in operation. That level is comparable to a quiet library or a soft whisper at close range, making it genuinely suitable for open living and dining areas. Vibration is further minimized by slow, balanced compressors that are mechanically decoupled from the cabinet body — an important detail for collectors storing aged Burgundy or sediment-sensitive wines.

What warranty does the Transtherm Ermitage carry?

A: The Ermitage includes a 1-year limited warranty covering parts and labor and a separate 5-year limited warranty on the compressor. The tiered structure reflects the fact that the compressor is the most critical long-term component — and the most expensive to replace — on any wine cabinet of this type.

Video

Prop 65 Warning

This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, flame retardants or formaldehyde, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.  For more information go to https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov.This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury,Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls and 3,3'-Dichloro-4,4'-diamino-diphenyl Ether, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Ratings & Reviews

3 Reviews

  • 5 stars
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  • 3 stars
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  • 2 stars
  • 0 reviews

So Far, So Good.

J| 12/20/2016 9:36 am

I have only had this fridge for a few weeks, but so far it is performing great.

Pros:
Quiet operation - I have this unit near my living room and it is hardly noticeable. Just a slight buzzing when it activates. Much quieter than other leading brands.
Temperature - The fridge allows for a slight bit of fluctuation, and I have not yet had to test its ability to maintain temperature in warmer (summer) conditions, but so far no concerns.
Quality - The cabinet materials feel high quality and look great.
LED lights - They light up labels brilliantly when looking through shelves.
Adjustable shelves - The spacing is completely customizable which is great for storing larger formats.

Cons:
Manual is vague - One of the most important features is left out of the manual. I had a problem with my shelves slipping off the track. After a conversation with IWA, we discovered the problem could be solved by adjusted screws on shelf track to widen the base. An easy fix that should be listed in the manual.
Shelves - They are very simple construction which can accommodate a variety of sizes. However, you will not be able to fit 12 bottles per shelf unless they are small Bordeaux style bottles. Odd sized bottles do not fit in the grooves securely which causes bottles to rattle around a bit when pulling shelves in and out.

Overall, this fridge is aesthetically pleasing and seems to be doing its job. However, it is hard to maximize the storage potential and the manual is very vague. Luckily, IWA's great customer services makes up for that. In the end, I think this fridge offers incredible value.

Nice looking and quiet cabinet .. once delivered!

Jim P| 7/30/2021 6:43 am

The TRANSTHERM ERMITAGE WINE cabinet has operated smoothly so far! Kudos to Bruce at IWA for working so hard to get this delivered to my somewhat rural location. Please be aware that the cabinet delivery process can be complicated by your location and/or difficulty of delivery. In my case the door needed to be removed before it could be delivered to the lower level of my house. Unfortunately the moving companies can not do this.. so have a Torx 25 screwdriver handy to do this yourself (quite easy, but the door is heavy). It is costly ($263) for the moving company to come back after I removed the door assembly. I've found the range of temperatures (51 - 57 for a 54 degree setpoint) to be a little more variable than expected for a nearly full cabinet. Very quiet, even as the condenser is operating. The bottle storage is somewhat problematic, with only Bordeaux bottles fitting 12 per rack (mostly 10 per rack). Looking forward to many years of use

UPDATE - Unit no longer working. Horrible customer service.

J - | 10/14/2021 10:56 am

Buyer beware. Given the complete lack of support from IWA and Transtherm, I had to hire a technician to figure out why my 4 year old unit, was no longer cooling. He had to do some major work on the compressor to even diagnose the problem (horrible design by Transtherm). $500 later and the fridge was back working... for 3 days.

The technician did what they could without ripping the unit apart, which is the only option now, a $1500 repair. They suspect that the aluminum pipes that cool the unit are leaking. Why do they suspect this? Because they've seen this issue with these units before.

To make matters worse. IWA did not respond to my e-mails within 48 hours so I had to call them. They stated that this was a 'rare' event and were not willing to provide any form of solution apart from offering 10% on a new purchase.

Ultimately, I am offended that IWA thinks I was unlucky and that I am stupid enough to fall for their measly 10% discount just to end up in this situation again.

Reply from IWA
J, we understand your frustration that the wine cabinet failed after just 57 months. Although your cabinet is no longer covered under warranty, Transtherm has made an exception and agreed for us to replace your wine cabinet. We're sorry that the process required some effort and appreciate your patience during this time.