Custom Wine Cellars in Chicago: Design, Kits and Materials
Prestige Wine Cellars designs custom wine cellars and wine walls for homes in Chicago and the North Shore, and supplies engineered kits and materials for your licensed local contractor to build. Chicago offers something Miami and Phoenix don’t: basements. It also brings cold winters and real flood risk to plan around.
We don’t build or install in Illinois. We design and supply, and your local licensed contractor builds the room. Homeowners from the Gold Coast to Winnetka, Kenilworth and Lake Forest can start the same way.
How It Works From Out of State
Prestige Wine Cellars is based in Austin, Texas. In the Chicago area, we provide design, kits and materials, and a contractor licensed there builds the room.
| Part of the project | Prestige | Your local team |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Renderings, production drawings and a complete materials list | Site measurements and any local engineering |
| Materials | Racking, glass, lighting and finishes, with specs and lead times, shipped to your site | Receiving and installation |
| Kits | Edition plans or complete kits, delivered anywhere in the world | Rough-in, general contracting and installation |
| Construction | We don’t build or install in this market | A contractor licensed in the Chicago area, hired by you |
| Permits | Drawings your team can work from | Permits and inspections |
What Makes a Chicago Wine Cellar Different
A basement gives you a head start on temperature, but it doesn’t make the room a wine cellar.
A basement still needs a real envelope
Basements run cool, but they don’t hold 55°F all year on their own. They also bring moisture through the foundation. The room needs the same insulation, vapor barrier and dedicated cooling as any other.
Wine cellar construction, step by step →Plan for water
Chicago has seen serious basement flooding: more than 1,400 basement reports followed one July 2023 storm. Think about drainage and how high to keep the bottles, wood and equipment off the floor.
Both seasons matter
July highs average about 85°F, and winters are far colder. If you use outdoor cooling equipment, ask your HVAC contractor how it’s rated for winter operation.
The city has its own rules
Chicago has its own building code, and its general contractor license is required for most work in the city. Suburbs set their own requirements, so check with your village.
What We Design and Build
Real Prestige projects in Texas, so you can judge the standard for yourself.
Modern Wine Wall Renovation
A 532-bottle wine wall with steel-framed glass doors, white oak racking and matte black detailing.
View the project →The Woodlands Transitional Wine Cellar
A gallery-style cellar with natural stone walls, crafted wood cabinetry and backlit displays.
View the project →
Lakeway Traditional Wine Cellar
Natural limestone walls and solid white oak racking in a Spanish-style home.
View the project →Chicago Wine Cellar Questions, Answered
Do you build wine cellars in Chicago?
We don’t build or install in Illinois. We provide the design, kits and materials, and your local licensed contractor builds the room. Construction contracts are between you and your contractor.
Can I turn my Chicago basement into a wine cellar?
Often, yes. A basement is a good starting point, but it still needs insulation, a vapor barrier and a dedicated cooling unit to stay near 55°F all year.
Do I need cooling in a basement wine cellar?
In most cases, yes. A basement’s temperature moves with the seasons and the rest of the house, and a steady temperature is what protects wine.
How do I protect a basement wine cellar from flooding?
Ask your contractor to review drainage, sump protection and foundation moisture before you build, and keep materials and equipment clear of the floor where you can.
Can you ship a wine cellar kit to Illinois?
Yes. Our Edition kits deliver anywhere in the world, and your own contractor can install them.
How much does a kit or design cost?
Edition plans start at $5,000. Custom design is a flat fee of $5,000 to $10,000, set by project size. Construction cost depends on your contractor and your space.
Keep Reading
Prestige Wine Cellars provides design, kits and materials in Illinois and does not perform construction there. Local requirements vary, so confirm them with your contractor and building department.
