Extraordinary wines require extraordinary care: Precious and fragile, fine wines demand secure cellars where temperature is constant and regulated; their curators must have space nearby for decanting, aerating—and savoring—this treasure.
Some days ago Luxury Defined, the online magazine of Christie’s International Real Estate, presented four homes with highly specialized wine cellars devoted to the preservation, care, display, and serving of great vintages. Each property finds a different way to incorporate the wine cellar into the collector’s lifestyle.
Like the wine glass both encloses the vintage and illuminates it, these luxury homes will enfold, fulfill, and delight their occupants in unexpected and ever-changing ways.
Stately Residence in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois
A crown jewel of the upscale Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park, this manorial estate sits on three prime lots, encompassing the stately main house, a converted coach house, and a landscaped, south-facing side yard. Built in 1885 and masterfully redesigned for the 21st century, the four-level main residence is distinguished by its striking Belgian stone façade, bay windows, and columned portico. There are 10 sumptuous bedrooms and eight full bathrooms. Among the home’s original 19th-century details is a stone root cellar, reimagined as a lavish entertaining space with a wine-tasting room.
Contemporary Villa in The Hills, Marbella, Spain
This stunning, three-tiered contemporary villa floats glass walls on massive pine beams and nestles in the exclusive gated community of The Hills, adjacent to Marbella, that glamorous Costa del Sol village filled with fine dining, exuberant nightlife, and upscale shopping. The home’s six bedrooms and seven full bathrooms include a spectacular owner’s suite with magnificent sea views, a custom-designed walk-in closet, and a lavish bathroom.
Sunset Summit Estate in Asheville, North Carolina
Perched on Town Mountain overlooking the beautiful city of Asheville, North Carolina, this rambling, rustic luxury home is a testament to comfort, elegance, and sophistication. Built in 1965, the three-acre property was renovated and extended in 2018 by Vero Beach-based interior designer Rod Mickley. The gracious main level offers a billiards room, living room, and dining room, each equipped with NanaWall glass walls that open each space to adjacent stone terraces. Below, accessed via a winding, marble staircase, is an impressive multi-bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar adjoining a wine-tasting room.
Premier Constantia Estate on the Western Cape, South Africa
The Constantia Valley—Cape Town’s Vineyard—is the setting for this opulent Mediterranean-style villa, its 21,527-square-foot interior space enclosed within secure, guarded, gated grounds, beautifully landscaped with colorful plants and flowers. The voluminous entrance hall has engineered wooden flooring and a sweeping double staircase. Beyond are beautiful reception and family rooms with stack-back glass doors leading out to the pool terrace. The informal entertainment area and open-plan kitchen have built-in wine refrigerators. The wood-paneled library has a custom-designed bar. A winding, marble staircase leads down to the wine cellar and tasting room.
Searching for a wine cellar to showcase, serve, and savor your collection? Explore Christie’s portfolio of luxury homes with wine tasting rooms.
