Chicago wine storage suggestions? Have to move from Kinzie Street Lock-Up

[John_Danza]

Agreed with Nick. I store at both domaine and east bank. Domaine’s rates are outrageous but their service and product is also far superior.

Of the more commodity storage options East Bank has good service and prices. They’re more basic than the Lockup and I don’t think kept as cold, but I have zero complaints from my many years there.

The Lockup is pretty basic, so I’m interested to see what East Bank looks like.

[Corey_N]

John — EBS is also very basic. Great location, plenty of parking, but there is nothing exciting about the place. Except Doug.

[John_Danza]

John — EBS is also very basic. Great location, plenty of parking, but there is nothing exciting about the place. Except Doug.

[Bobby_B]

What great timing to see this thread! I went to the Domaine third thursday of the month BYO thing last night and it was great. Tons of good wines, and a lot of variety.

My fiance and I have outgrown our Le Cache cellar at home in Lincoln Park and looking for an off-site storage place that not only receives and stores wine, but also has a bit of a community to it. We’re keen to start hanging out with more wine people as our tastes have expanded and we feel a bit more comfortable talking about wines.

John - in your research, did you get a sense for the “programming” or events that the various options in Chicago have? I was/am super close to signing up for Domaine, but would go elsewhere if there was a more active community of wine people.

[Clayton_Wai-Poi]

Bobby… from my experience with a few, Domiane is the only one with a community.

East Bank does run a couple of tastings a year, but it’s basically a distributor put in thing. There’s no space for tasting at the storage.

[Alan_Eden]

I would not say East Bank is basic, it has everything you need for storage, good parking, multiple easy to access loading docks, lots or carts, freight elevators, well lit and temp controlled room. What it does not have is anything above this for tasting or anything else, its a storage facility and thats it. If you want a community then Domaine seems to be the only choice

[John_Danza]

What great timing to see this thread! I went to the Domaine third thursday of the month BYO thing last night and it was great. Tons of good wines, and a lot of variety.

My fiance and I have outgrown our Le Cache cellar at home in Lincoln Park and looking for an off-site storage place that not only receives and stores wine, but also has a bit of a community to it. We’re keen to start hanging out with more wine people as our tastes have expanded and we feel a bit more comfortable talking about wines.

John - in your research, did you get a sense for the “programming” or events that the various options in Chicago have? I was/am super close to signing up for Domaine, but would go elsewhere if there was a more active community of wine people.

Bobby, I agree with Clayton and Alan about Domaine and community. I didn’t ask East Lake about that because I wasn’t looking for that sort of thing. There are so many options for stuff like that in Chicago that I wasn’t looking for it from my storage facility. But if that’s one of your criteria, Domaine would be pretty much your only option.

[Bobby_B]

Much appreciated. Any groups, specifically, I should look into joining in Chicago? We’re been crazy about northern rhones recently, and also getting deeper into rioja. Enjoy the california cabs as well.

[Alan_Eden]

Bobby

There is a Chicago wine lovers group on Facebook, might be a good place to start

[Bobby_B]

Bobby

There is a Chicago wine lovers group on Facebook, might be a good place to start

Cheers. Already part of it!

[Brian_S_t_o_t_t_e_r]

Does Domaine have 24-hour swipe in?

[Bobby_B]

Does Domaine have 24-hour swipe in?

No - it’s until 9pm or 10pm, i forget which

[John_Danza]

I put a hold on a 36-case locker at East Bank yesterday. Perfectly fine facility and Jose was very helpful. I’ll lock it down next Saturday and start moving in. Thanks for the help everyone

[John_Danza]

As of this afternoon, my wine is comfortably stored in a locker at East Bank on Lake. Thanks to everyone that suggested EB. They’re nice folks.

I’m happy to say that The Lockup on Kinzie is in the rear view mirror. I sent a letter to the facility manager firing them. I recounted the history of the repeated price increases, the last would have had me paying 63% more than the rent I signed up for a mere 28 months ago. They probably won’t care, but it made me feel better.

[John_Davis]

Was with East Bank for many years. I highly recommend them. Had to move to Domaine as I needed inventory assistance since I moved and don’t have a cellar anymore.