Uncorked, Chicago

Uncorked, Chicago is an annual grand tasting wine festival held each spring at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois — now in its 6th year, the 2026 edition takes place Saturday, March 14th from 7–11pm with more than 100 wines and sparkling wines poured from producers around the world. Tickets start at $80 for General Admission and reach $120 for VIP, giving attendees a range of entry points into an evening that combines international wine tasting with one of Chicago's most distinctive indoor venues.

Uncorked, Chicago sets itself apart by taking place entirely inside the Field Museum at 1400 South Lake Shore Drive — a natural history museum whose exhibit halls serve as the backdrop for tasting. The festival pours more than 100 wines and bubblies from global producers, and also features a dedicated Zero-Proof Lounge with non-alcoholic wines and mocktails for guests who prefer alcohol-free options. A DJ provides a live-mixed playlist throughout the evening, and the Vin-Yard activation space hosts experiences such as a Sip & Paint, a Sommelier Showdown blind tasting challenge, and a wine and chocolate pairing. The festival is 21 and over only, and the organizers maintain a no-refund policy.

There are 3 ticket tiers with meaningfully different access levels. General Admission ($80) begins at 8pm and includes 3 hours of museum access and tastings from more than 50 brands, with light bites covered during the first 2 hours. Early Admission ($95) enters at 7pm for 4 full hours of tasting, the same 50-plus brand lineup, light bites, and a reduced-capacity first hour. VIP ($120) admits guests at 6:30pm for 4.5 hours total, adds exclusive access to a downstairs VIP area with premium wineries and additional light bites, shorter lines, and a $15 food voucher for the on-site cafe. The cafe remains open throughout the evening for guests who want heartier food options beyond the included bites.

Because the wines span global regions rather than focusing on Illinois or a single American AVA, Uncorked, Chicago functions as an international survey tasting. That scope, combined with the museum setting and the non-alcoholic options, makes it accessible to guests at different stages of their wine experience — from those just beginning to explore varietals to guests looking to compare producers across continents in a single evening.