California has always been a state of wine lovers, buoyed by multiple world-renowned wine regions that stretch across the state. And eventually, as residents celebrated the state’s viticulture and pricey vintages became prized collectors’ items, wine storage became a standard part of everyday home decor for many, be it through small countertop wine racks or plug-in fridges. At the high end, some homeowners shifted from a tucked-away basement cellar to a stately, more prominent wine room. Bottles stacked ornately showcased extensive collections, and it was hard to find a luxury real estate listing that didn’t feature a dark, wood-paneled room lined with bottles, centered around a tasting table. 

Decades later, people are drinking far less, the wine industry is in trouble, and health and wellness have overtaken these once-requisite spaces as the must-have of California living. California real estate agents across the state are noting that while wine rooms certainly aren’t disappearing altogether, many California homebuyers are opting to convert them in favor of health and wellness amenities. 

Former Golden State Warriors basketball player Adonal Foyle views some of the selections of wines in his large collection at his home in Orinda, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018.

Wine collector and investor Dr. Ken Bleifer is photographed holding a bottle of 1990 Dom Perignon, inside the wine cellar of his Los Angeles-area home, filled with nearly 1,800 bottles, on Nov. 4, 2013.

A wine cellar once served as a “quiet but powerful symbol of luxury,” Lauren Forbes, a Compass agent in Hermosa Beach, told SFGATE via email. Instead, today’s amenities prioritize wellness-centered living. “We’ve seen many luxury properties turn or look to repurpose traditional wine cellars into infrared saunas, cold plunge rooms, meditation spaces, or dedicated fitness studios. Luxury buyers are now increasingly prioritizing vitality and longevity over collection,” Forbes said.

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This generation of buyers no longer values a “trophy space” that might lack broader function. Instead, they’re filling spaces in ways where they fit into everyday life, Ryan Jancula, a Los Angeles agent with Compass, told SFGATE via email. “Simplicity, daily usability, and how a home truly supports everyday life have become a priority,” he said.

It’s changed how real estate agents market listings, too. When Jonathan Spencer, a real estate agent in Monterey County, lists a home these days, he opts to stage a room as a flex space if possible — he usually chooses a yoga and meditation room — and potential buyers can visualize that room however they want.

The dinning room of the Hunt House features a walk-in wine cellar with a giant glass window in unincorporated Orange County, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017.

The set for Season 27 of the CBS original series “Big Brother,” which premiered July 10, 2025.

Spencer said wine storage might still be desired, but a “purely display-driven wine cellar is less of a priority than it was 10-15 years ago.” 

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It’s also affecting how builders think about constructing new homes today. Instead of traditional walk-in wine rooms built for display, builders may choose a wine wall or more practical wine storage space built within the home. 

Sports rooms are also on the rise. Spencer said more and more of his clients are putting golf simulators in their homes, saying he has at least six people undergoing the process right now. “It’s the golf mecca down here,” he said of the Monterey Peninsula, so he’s not surprised to see it gaining in popularity. 

While wine sellers used to mean luxury, “today, flexibility does,” Ari Afshar, a Beverly Hills real estate agent, told SFGATE. “We’re seeing those spaces repurposed into wellness rooms, gyms, and lifestyle spaces that reflect how people actually live now.”

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Wellness features can also boost the value of a home, said Amanda Pendleton, home trends expert for Zillow. In data shared with SFGATE, the real estate platform found that homes with a cold plunge sold for 2% more than the listed price, a hot tub included sells for 1.7% more, and a spa 1.5% more. 

A general view of the atmosphere at Lucky Brand’s celebration of California culture and style on Sept. 8, 2012, in Malibu, Calif.

Home listings that mention wellness features have also increased overall, with 33% more including them in 2025. Meanwhile, mentions of the term “wine cellar” were down in Zillow listings 2.8% in 2025. Recreation room listings were up, with even the inclusion of batting cages up 18% in 2025.

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Pendleton said that she’s seen the trend building since the pandemic, when everyone was stuck at home and became more aware of how their surroundings were impacting their well-being. “Wellness has become this powerful force in home design. Buyers are willing to pay for these features that make their home feel like a personal retreat,” she said. 

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