Storing Wine and Collectibles in South Dakota's Extreme Climate

South Dakota’s climate swings from -30°F in January to 100°F in July. That’s great for building character. It’s terrible for wine, vinyl records, comic books, sports cards, and anything else that’s valuable and temperature-sensitive. Here’s how to protect your collection in one of the most extreme climates in the country.

Why South Dakota’s Climate Destroys Collections

The issue isn’t just heat or cold — it’s the swing. A 130-degree temperature range over the course of a year creates expansion and contraction cycles that damage materials at a molecular level.

• Paper (comics, cards, books, documents): Absorbs moisture in summer, dries and becomes brittle in winter. Repeated cycles cause foxing, warping, and permanent damage.
• Vinyl records: Warp in heat, become brittle in extreme cold. Sleeves absorb moisture and transfer it to the record surface.
• Wine: Temperature fluctuations are wine’s #1 enemy. Heat pushes corks, cold can freeze bottles, and swings accelerate aging unpredictably.
• Wood and leather: Crack in dry cold, swell and mold in humid summers.
• Metal (coins, firearms, tools): Condensation from temperature changes causes oxidation and rust.
• Electronics and vintage equipment: Circuit boards corrode, plastics yellow and become brittle, rubber components degrade.

If you’re storing anything valuable in an uninsulated garage, shed, or attic in southeast South Dakota — stop. You’re slowly destroying it.

Wine Storage in South Dakota

The Basics

Wine needs: - Constant temperature between 50-59°F (55°F is ideal) - Humidity between 50-80% (70% is ideal) - No vibration — it disturbs sediment and affects aging - No light — UV breaks down compounds in wine - Bottles on their sides — keeps the cork moist and sealed

The South Dakota Problem

Most homes in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman don’t have basements that maintain 55°F year-round. Summer basements can hit 70-75°F. Garages and sheds? Forget it — they follow outdoor temperatures.

Solutions

Wine refrigerator at home: Works great for 20-50 bottles. Not practical for larger collections.

Climate-controlled storage unit: A climate-controlled unit maintains temperatures between 55-80°F year-round. It’s not a perfect wine cellar, but it’s dramatically better than an uncontrolled space. For collections that aren’t rare vintages, this works.

Dedicated wine storage: If you have a serious collection (100+ bottles, valuable vintages), look for dedicated wine storage in Sioux Falls or Omaha. For casual collectors in southeast SD, a climate-controlled unit with some additional precautions is sufficient.

Tips for Wine in Storage Units

• Use wine boxes with cell dividers — they protect bottles and stack efficiently
• Store away from exterior walls where temperature variation is greatest
• Add a thermometer/hygrometer to monitor conditions (wireless ones that connect to your phone cost $20-30)
• Keep bottles on their sides in boxes or on a small wine rack
• Don’t store near anything aromatic — wine corks are porous and can absorb smells

Sports Cards and Trading Cards

The sports card market has exploded. A PSA-10 Michael Jordan rookie is worth hundreds of thousands. Even common graded cards represent real value. Southeast South Dakota has plenty of collectors — cards don’t take up much space, but they need the right conditions.

What Damages Cards

• Humidity above 60%: Causes warping, especially for unsleeved cards
• Humidity below 30%: Causes drying and edge cracking
• Temperature above 80°F: Softens coatings and adhesives
• Direct sunlight: Fades colors rapidly
• Pests: Silverfish eat paper. Mice shred it for nesting.

Storage Best Practices

• Individual sleeves → top loaders → boxes for valuable cards
• Graded cards in their cases stacked in sturdy boxes
• Silica gel packs in each box to maintain stable humidity
• Climate-controlled storage for large collections
• Never in an attic, garage, or shed in South Dakota — ever

Vinyl Records

Vinyl is back, and collections are worth real money. But records are extremely sensitive to storage conditions.

The Enemies

• Heat above 80°F: Warps vinyl permanently
• Pressure: Stacking records flat causes ring wear and warping. Always store vertically.
• Humidity: Promotes mold growth on sleeves and can damage the vinyl surface
• Sunlight: Warps records and fades artwork

Proper Storage

• Store vertically like books on a shelf — never stacked flat
• Use outer sleeves (poly sleeves) over jackets to prevent ring wear
• Inner sleeves — replace paper inners with anti-static poly sleeves
• Keep at 60-70°F with moderate humidity
• Shelving units in a climate-controlled unit work perfectly
• Don’t overstuff shelves — tight packing warps records over time

Comic Books

Southeast South Dakota might not seem like comic book territory, but collectors are everywhere. Key issues from the Golden and Silver Age are worth thousands.

Storage Guidelines

• Bags and boards for every comic — acid-free bags with acid-free backing boards
• Short boxes (holds ~150 comics) are easier to manage than long boxes
• Store upright like records — never flat-stacked in large piles
• Climate control is critical — paper is incredibly sensitive to temperature and humidity swings
• No basements unless fully waterproofed and dehumidified
• Keep away from light — all light degrades paper and ink

Coins and Currency

Coin collections are common in this area, often passed down through generations of South Dakota families.

• Individual holders (flips, capsules, or slabs for graded coins) for each piece
• Avoid PVC-containing holders — they off-gas and damage coin surfaces
• Low humidity is essential — moisture causes toning and corrosion
• Don’t handle with bare hands — oils cause permanent fingerprints on uncirculated coins
• Fireproof safe for high-value collections, ideally in climate-controlled space
• Insurance — storage insurance or a separate collector’s policy

Art and Photographs

Family photographs, paintings, and prints from estate sales or local South Dakota artists:

• Never roll oil paintings — store flat or hanging
• Acid-free materials only for wrapping and separating pieces
• Climate control prevents canvas cracking and paint flaking
• Photographs in acid-free boxes or archival albums — never in regular cardboard or plastic bins
• Frame glass can crack in extreme cold — unframe or pad heavily for storage

The Universal Rules

No matter what you’re collecting, these rules apply in South Dakota:

1. Climate control is not optional for valuable collections. The extra $15-25/month for a climate-controlled unit is nothing compared to losing a collection worth thousands.

2. Moisture protection — desiccant packs, dehumidifiers, and proper containers. South Dakota’s spring humidity spike is when the most damage occurs.

3. Pest prevention — seal everything. Mice, silverfish, and carpet beetles don’t care that your collection is valuable.

4. Insurance — get it. Document everything with photos and appraisals.

5. Regular checks — visit your storage unit monthly to verify conditions and check for problems.

6. Never store in attics, garages, or uninsulated spaces in South Dakota. Period.

Protecting What You Value

Your collection represents years of passion, investment, and sometimes family history. Don’t let South Dakota’s climate destroy it because you stored it in the wrong place.

Lock N’ Leave It Storage in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman offers climate-controlled units that keep your collections safe from the temperature extremes that make this state beautiful — and dangerous for the things you care about. Contact us to find the right unit for your collection. It’s the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy.