How Much Does it Cost to Build a Wine Cellar?

Wine Cellar Costs by Location

For this project, location is the most important consideration. The space you choose should not receive direct sunlight and maintain a relatively steady temperature. 

Underground or Underfloor

Underfloor wine cellars are built into the floor but can be pulled up (or pulled up automatically) for display and use. Larger versions feature a walk-down spiral staircase. Most underground options range from $10,000 for a simple, pull-up version to $55,000 for a large, custom alternative.

Basement

Basements are the most common locations for complete wine caves. If you want to renovate your basement for this purpose, you might need to remodel first. In that case, take a look at our basement conversion ideas. Depending on the extent of work needed and the size of the basement, the cost of a basement remodel ranges between $10,000 and $25,000.

Under Stairs

Taking advantage of unused space under your staircase is another popular option, but fluctuating temperatures tend to be a concern, so proper insulation is a must. In addition, a renovation can get expensive because of the custom racks you will need to fit this unconventional space. Custom wine racks tend to cost between $500 and $2,500 each.

Walk-In Closet

If your home features multiple large closets, you might want to convert one of them into a cellar. The wine storage space will be relatively limited, but your remodeling costs will be lower because you don't have to worry about windows or direct sunlight. However, airtight insulation is necessary to prevent changing temperatures from impacting your wine.

Crawl Space

If you convert your crawl space into a wine cave, inconsistent humidity can become a problem. You need to ensure that you have airtight insulation and humidity control before proceeding with the renovation, including a vapor barrier. Insulating your crawl space will cost between $200 and $1,100.

Wall Wine Rack

Wall wine racks cost $500 to $3,000. While it’s not an entire wine cellar, wall wine racks are a great choice for homes with limited space or for those where the wine is kept primarily for entertaining rather than collecting. You can get prefabricated models and flat-pack kits for around $500, or you can have a custom unit built and installed for about $3,000.

Wine Cellar Costs by Design

The right renovation is not just functional but also beautiful. In fact, well-designed wine cellars can add visual appeal and interest to your home. 

Spiral

This type of design is most common for underfloor and crawl space wine caves or cellars. Small spiral cabinets pull up, costing as low as $1,000. Larger versions include a spiral staircase leading into the racks, costing up to $55,000.

The key factor to consider with a spiral wine cellar is the opening. You need to ensure that it can hold the appropriate amount of weight, while adding to the overall design of your home and flooring.

Tasting Room

In some homes, you might have the ability to add a tasting room to your cellar. This room doesn't necessarily need to be insulated or temperature controlled. The finishes you choose and the room’s current state both affect remodeling costs, which tend to range between $5,000 and $15,000.

Walk-Through Cellar

If you don't have room in your basement to build a wine cellar, consider constructing a walk-through alternative in a hallway of your main floor. When choosing this option, ensure that the walk-through wine cellar has insulated, airtight doors on both ends of the hallway.

Custom Wine Cabinet

For smaller collections, consider adding a single custom cabinet located in your kitchen, study, or living room. The number of bottles you want to store will affect the cost of the cabinet. Small versions holding less than 10 bottles cost as little as $500, while larger alternatives with capacity for up to 200 bottles can cost upwards of $4,000. Keep in mind that it’ll be difficult to control the temperature when storing bottles in uninsulated spaces.

Wine Cellar Cost Factors and Add-Ons

Size is among the biggest cost influencers when building a wine cellar. Most cellars average between 25 and 150 square feet, costing between $15,000 and $62,000. However, other factors also play into the equation. Understanding and reviewing these variables before the start of the project will help you stay within your budget.

Room Size

You’ll need to consider the size of the room when creating wine cellar plans. Requirements will change depending on how many bottles you need to store and what features you want to add. With costs to build a wine cellar ranging from $300 to $600 per square foot, size greatly impacts cost. 

If you're building a compact wall-mounted wine rack, you'll only need a few square feet of space, and you’ll only spend around $500 to $1,000. But if you need to store 3,000 bottles of wine in a walk-in wine cellar where the temperature and humidity remains perfect at all times, you'll pay $40,000 to $100,000. 

Storage Capacity

Your planning process needs to include the number of bottles you plan to store. Plan to provide ½ square foot of space per 10 bottles.

Refrigeration/Cooling

The ideal storage temperature for wine depends on variety. Red wines don’t need cooling and should be kept between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Tart white and rosé wines need a cooled storage temperature between 45 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

Depending on the size of your project, a simple wall cooler may suffice. These units are easy to install but offer limited space and take up valuable real estate in your cellar. More sophisticated walk-in options can be cooled via split or ducted systems, but typically require professional installation. Refer to our Refrigeration System Cost Guide for more details on the price and options of installing a cooling unit in your home.

Racks

Since red wines are not stored cool, they should be stored on racks. These racks are mostly made of wood, although metal and glass have also become popular in modern homes. 

Wine bottles and dimensions vary based on vintage and winery. Most wine bottles measure between 3 and 3.2 inches in diameter and are about 12 inches tall. A standard rack cubicle, which fits 16 bottles, measures about 20 inches wide and high with a depth just below 11 inches.

You can buy standardized racks or build cabinets for your space. Depending on your choice and the material you use, expect your custom cabinets to cost between $2 and $20 per bottle space.

Temperature and Humidity Control

A wine cellar (outside of its cooling unit) should hold a steady temperature between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with relative humidity between 60 and 70 percent. Consistency is key to keeping your vintages in good shape. Consider these steps to achieve that consistency:

• Installing a humidifier: $1,000 - $2,000

• Cost to install a thermostat: $100 - $250

• Air-tight insulation: $2,000 - $3,500

Doors

The cost of interior doors will vary based on its materials, location, and dimensions. Expect to pay between $500 and $3,500 for a single, airtight door.

If you build a walk-in wine cave, the door needs to be air-tight and insulated. It should include an auto-close mechanism that keeps your bottles secure in their temperature-controlled environment.

In many modern wine caves, doors often feature a glass element. Glass tends to be more difficult to insulate, so look for exterior-grade options.

Floors and Walls

Flooring costs change based on the material, from $1,500 for vinyl to $5,000 for tile at the same square footage. Softer materials like wood tend to be more forgiving if you drop a bottle, while hard surfaces (such as tile) are easier to clean.

Similarly, wall renovations depend on your space. Avoid concrete walls, which offers low insulation value unless coated. Wood, wood paneling, and glass can work well. You can also keep it simple with insulated drywall. Finishing walls costs between $1,000 and $3,000.

Note that you'll need to fully insulate the space to efficiently maintain humidity and temperature levels to properly preserve your wine. Floors should have suitable underlay and you'll pay $1 to $4 per square foot for wall insulation.

If you choose a glass wine cellar, you'll pay around 20 percent more than other materials because you have to install extra-thick glass panels for insulation and glass that blocks out UV and natural light. Condensation can also be an issue, so you'll need a high-quality humidity management system. 

Lighting

Most lighting projects cost between $150 and $750 for the fixture and installation. If you are planning to use the room for more than storage, lighting can help it stand out with spotlights on your most valued bottles or backlighting behind your racks. Chandeliers are perfect for a more classic, wood-based ambiance.

UV light can be poison for your high-quality vintages, so avoid direct natural light at all costs. Meanwhile, halogen lights could result in heat damage. Use LED or fluorescent alternatives to protect your wine bottles from potential damage or spoilage.

Framing and Insulation

Insulation is critical for preserving your wine without dramatically increasing your energy costs. And for proper insulation, the area must be correctly framed. If you're converting an already framed space, like a walk-in closet, no additional framing is necessary. You’ll only need to add insulation. However, if you're converting an unfinished basement, you'll need to hire a local general contractor to frame the space before adding insulation. 

The pro will most likely install a vapor barrier over the studs to prevent mold and moisture damage and to help control humidity. You'll need to insulate the walls, ceiling, and the floor. For the ultimate energy efficiency, you may also want to insulate the door. Insulating a basement generally costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot, but when installing a wine cellar, you're likely to pay the general wall insulation cost of $2 to $4 per square foot.

DIY Wine Cellar Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

For anything other than a wall wine rack, you’ll need to hire a pro to tackle your wine cellar or cave building. To properly preserve the wine, the cellar installation must be precise, and there's little room for error. If you make a mistake during the installation, you may potentially have to replace the entirety of your wine collection.

Depending on where you put your wine room, you may need building permits, particularly if you're adding or reconfiguring electrical lines, refrigeration, or a humidity management system. 

Because the work requires multiple different professionals, it's worthwhile hiring a general contractor or a local construction manager to oversee the entire project and bring in the right pros at the right time.

FAQs

Does a wine cellar increase home value?

Due to the budget required for construction, a cellar typically doesn't result in immediate return on your renovation expense. However, its ROI benefits become more significant over time.

Because they're typically built in areas that would otherwise be unused, wine caves can also add to your home's resale value. If you're looking to sell, it will likely be the first thing that stands out to potential buyers.

Importantly, the cost benefits of this renovation go beyond your home's resale value. Storing a bottle of wine in a controlled environment for five years can increase and even double its value. Once you build the space, you can strategically buy an increasing number of vintages as an investment that will pay off down the road.

Does a wine cellar need to be underground?

No, a wine cellar doesn't need to be underground. You can build one anywhere in your home, but below-ground wine cellars tend to cost less to maintain. 

Do wine cellars need ventilation?

Not always. Wine cellars are controlled environments where temperature and humidity are critical, so you can't throw open a window to cool it down a bit. Instead, you should have a climate control system that can heat or cool the space to maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels.