How Much Does a Wine Cellar Cost?

Wine Cellar Cost per Square Foot

The price of installing a wine cellar can vary greatly, depending on whether you are adding a simple custom cabinet to hold 12 go-to bottles or building a room that contains 3,000-plus options.

That said, building a wine cellar typically costs $300 to $600 per square foot, depending on a number of factors such as finishes, fixtures, where the wine cellar is located in your home, and whether you’ll need to add HVAC elements. A remodeling contractor in your area can give you an exact quote.

Wine Cellar Cost by Type

The cost of installing a wine cellar varies by type, size, and style, naturally. There are several different types you may want to consider when you start the building process.

Glass Wine Cellar

A glass wine cellar can cost from $18,000 to $55,000 or more, depending on the size and how you customize it. You can cut costs by choosing pre-built cabinetry, wine racks, and similar options.

Some of the advantages of a glass wine cellar include the ability to see (and show off) your vino collection. These types of wine storage can be an elegant decor element all on their own, making them ideal for anyone who entertains regularly.

Spiral Wine Cellar

Spiral wine cellars are a relatively recent and innovative way to store wine. The bottles are stored in a spiral that coils its way underground. 

There are two types of spiral wine cellars: smaller ones that you pull up from the floor to choose a bottle, and larger ones where you walk down a spiral staircase to make your selection. A small cabinet that pulls up from the floor costs around $1,000. The larger spiral wine cellars that you walk down into typically start at $30,000 and can go up to $200,000, depending on the size and build-out required. 

Wine Cave/Basement Wine Cellar

A fully finished wine cave or underground wine cellar is the height of glamor for wine aficionados, and building one will cost accordingly. Subterranean wine caves start at $75,000, and the price only increases from there based on the size and customization. 

Keep in mind that if you live in a climate that allows for a passive system in an underground wine cellar, a wine cave may cost slightly less than one needing an active system.

Closet/Crawl Space/Under Stairs

If your wine cellar is above-ground in an existing space such as a walk-in closet, a crawl space, or under the stairs, you’ll need to consider the price of adding insulation and perhaps customized wine racks that will fit into the space if prefabricated options won’t work. These types of wine storage will run you around $500 to $2,500.

What Type of Wine Cellar Can I Get on My Budget?

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The scope of your potential wine cellar will be limited by your budget. So if your budget is on the lower side, you might not be able to afford the basement wine cellar worthy of a five-star restaurant. But if you get creative and make some compromises, you’ll be able to build a wine cellar that suits your preferences, tastes, and space on any budget.

$10,000 to $20,000

A simple underfloor wine cellar, or one that uses an existing basement or closet space, can start as low as $10,000. Smaller glass wine cellars can cost around $15,000.

$20,000 to $50,0000

This is the sweet spot where you can get a fairly luxurious wine cellar (with seating!) or an elegant glass wine cellar. This budget will stretch even further if you already have the perfect spot for it in your home, therefore minimizing the building costs.

$50,000 or More

If you are looking to splurge, the relatively new and innovative spiral wine cellars might be a good choice. These start at $30,000 and can cost up to $200,000 depending on the size and complexity of the install. Want something more traditional? An underground wine cave or wine cellar costs over $55,000 for a large custom install.

What Factors Influence Wine Cellar Costs?

There are a variety of factors involved in the total price of a wine cellar, such as the size of the wine cellar, whether you require a passive or active HVAC system, the style of the cellar, and any customizations or luxury finishes you select.

Type of Wine Cellar

Temperature and climate and climate control are one of the main benefits of having a dedicated wine cellar, and if you’re installing, you will have to consider whether you need an active system or a passive system. You’ll also need to consider whether you want to purchase a pre-fabricated cellar or if you want to customize it to suit your personal aesthetic.

Passive Systems vs. Active Systems

The price of your wine cellar also depends on whether you need a passive system or an active system. This will depend on where the wine cellar will be in your home and your location.

Depending on where you live, the cost of an underground wine cellar may be more justified if your climate keeps the wine at a cool and steady temperature—just like a wine cave at a vineyard. Here, you’d need a passive system.

On the flip side, in an active system, the wine cellar or wine room relies on HVAC systems to maintain a consistent temperature. So if you live in Florida, you’ll probably need an active system.

Pre-Built vs. Custom-Designed Wine Cellars

While a customized wine cellar or wine cave sounds dreamy, keep in mind that there are options such as pre-built cabinets, heating and cooling systems, and display racks that can help reduce your wine cellar costs. That said, custom details including tiling, marble, hardwood flooring, and wine racks add to the price.

Finishes and Add-Ons

While you can go for pre-fabricated pieces to cut down on build time and costs, you can choose to splurge on high-end or premium materials (think marble, custom tiling, or luxury wood such as teak or mahogany). 

Custom wine racks made from wood or metal, furniture for a tasting area, and any extra flourishes can make your wine cellar more costly—but may add some je ne sais quoi and increase your property value as well.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

It’s always better to seek a professional’s help and experience when building out an entirely new space in your home. Constructing a wine cellar can be especially complicated because it involves everything from building walls to pouring concrete to hooking up an HVAC system. It’s best to talk to local builders in your area to assess how they’ll bring your wine cellar vision to life—and what kind of budget you’ll need to do so.

You can DIY a small, ready-made wine storage system, like a wine cabinet or display rack. Experienced DIY-ers may be able to take on a larger project, but it’s best to connect with at least one pro beforehand so you know what kinds of challenges you may face.

Jacqueline Zenn contributed to this article.