travel with wine

Everything you need to know about safely traveling with wine 

Traveling to wine country is a guarantee that I'm bringing back several bottles of wine in tow — whether domestic or international. Shipping wine internationally, however, is a super complicated process with rules and regulations that vary by country and airport. Until I did my research about wine tools, like the genius WineSkin transport bag, I wrapped wine bottles in my clothes and chanced transporting wine back home — which sometimes resulted in shattered wine bottles all over my frocks and then some. It wasn't the best surprise to unzip after a long-haul flight.

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To avoid these mistakes on your next wine trip, we tapped a couple of wine experts who regularly travel with wine, plus a few tips from TPG Lounge members , to give you all the ins and outs of traveling (safely) with wine. Here are several recommendations and tips to help get your wine back safe and sound.

Airline wine programs

Alaska Airlines implements a "Wine Flies Free" program allowing Mileage Plan members to bring back a case of wine (12 bottles) from 32 west coast destinations via wine luggage or a protective shipping container at no cost. When out west, be sure to check out loyalty programs, as some carriers such as Southwest Airlines allow two free checked bags, which will help you get wine back in luggage while avoiding shipping costs or extra baggage check fees.

Wine luggage

If looking to bring back more than a couple of bottles, wine experts swear by VinGardeValise wine luggage ($349). "It has soft inserts to cushion the bottles and a hard shell, so I know the wines will be unharmed if baggage handling is less than gentle," says Danielle Thompson, Almaviva Winery's U.S. market director. And while spendy, Michael Kennedy, founder and vintner of Component Wine Company and Vin Fraîche, invests in this as it's the best for safe, secure, temperature aided travel, with its "wine bottle-fitted slots for your full 12-bottle case of wine, hardshell construction, and very well-built wheels and telescopic handle," he adds.

A TPG reader noted that they use their Delta cobranded card to get the first bag — the wine suitcase — checked free.

"With regard to [packing] wine for events across the country, particularly to Jackson Hole, for the annual Jackson Hole Food & Wine Summer Fest, I can always rely upon WineSkin if adding a few bottles to personal luggage," says Thompson. "These bubble wrap sleeves for wine are great when you have a couple of bottles you're bringing somewhere for the weekend," says Kennedy, who notes that on the off-chance a bottle breaks, it's sealed and will protect your belongings from wine stains. "I cannot recommend enough WineSkins — even with my nice wine-specific luggage, I use them often," he says. "I also gift people bottles from my winery in them at times when I know they will be traveling." Plus, they're reusable so a great investment at under $10 a pop .

Related: 8 mistakes to avoid when visiting Napa Valley

Cardboard box wine shippers

"For domestic travel, a cardboard box wine shipper — the kind you get when you have wine shipped via FedEx — is great for when you are flying one way and have no need for that space on the way back," says Kennedy. Whatever you do, don't use this method for older or more expensive wines, but it will suffice for most other wine occasions. Thompson notes getting wine shipped for an event can be a challenge. "The most important way I get wines to Jackson Hole is always to ship in advance," she adds.

Be wary of bottle shock

Bottle shock, Kennedy notes, is a great mystery of the wine world — a phenomenon of momentary changes to the palate and aromatics of wine post-travel. "This could in some ways benefit a wine, but in most cases, it will mute subtle flavors and contribute to a dumbing down of a great wine," says Kennedy. "There isn't much science on this, but generally, young wines (less than 11 years old) are less impacted and older wines (12+ years old) are exponentially impacted." If you're drinking wine upon landing, Kennedy notes to stick to the younger wines first. "I once traveled with a magnum of 1974 Château Trotanoy, knowing full well I had a 50% chance of it being ruined, but without alternative choices, I decided to take the gamble — and I wish I hadn't."

Related: Is Amex's $25 offer on a 'Macy's Wine Shop' purchase worth the effort?

Tips for international travel

TSA allows for 5 liters of wine in checked bags but it's quite different overseas. It's important to research the rules and regulations before hitting a wine country abroad. Whatever you do, Kennedy reinstates to always buying wine. "Often, once you return from a trip having decided against it, you will regret it," he adds.

Always check alcohol customs limits — this often results in having to leave insanely great wine at checkpoints or pay extra fees. "Most countries don't charge tax on wines bought abroad under a certain limit," notes Kennedy. One TPG reader, flying through Manzanillo, Mexico, with a case of wine learned this lesson the hard way. "You're allowed 8-750ml bottles — so I had to pay $75 tax on the other four bottles."

And the rule of thumb: Champagne is not the best wine to travel with on long-haul flights. "Temperatures and pressure changes can sometimes cause messy luggage situations," Kennedy adds.

Skip duty-free

" Duty-free is 99% of the time a bad idea," says Kennedy, stating it's often big brands with very high prices. "I have on rare occasion bought from duty-free, but only in cases where it was last resort and didn't have time to grab bottles from a local store (or when you realize you were in Paris and forgot to get your wife a present. If she's like mine, a bottle of Champagne always does the trick!)," he adds. While it might seem like a deal, you'll end up paying in markup on the wine itself.

Related: Just in time for National Wine Day, your credit card could uncork perks and savings

Wine travel do's and don'ts

Kennedy says do bring home wine from wine regions whenever you visit. You'll regret being in Tuscany and not bringing home a few vino souvenirs. Check the import limits whenever traveling outside of the country. Most locations will let you go over the limit but make you pay duty on bottles over the limit. And make sure your wine goes in the checked bag. "This seems obvious, but I've seen friends have to choose between an expensive bottle of wine and missing a flight," says Kennedy.

Don't wrap your wine in shirts or clothes thinking they'll be okay, advises Kennedy. "I've had bottles break and ruin nice things. Not worth it when a reusable WineSkin costs $8!" Pack wines that aren't already chilled or refrigerated. They will sweat condensation and can ruin clothes or leather in bags.

How To Fly With Wine Like A Pro

words: VinePair Staff

Whether you want to bring mementos home from your trip, you’re bringing a special bottle with you to drink at your destination, or you foolishly booked your vacation in a dry county (or country!), at one point or another you’re going to travel with booze. Here’s how to do so like a pro.

While the easiest way to travel with wine that includes the least restrictions — besides actually drinking it — is driving, the time we’re most concerned about carrying wine along for the journey is when we’re flying.  We all know the feeling:  stuck in our airplane seats, flying at hundreds of miles an hour 30,000 feet high in the sky, hoping that the bags we checked are actually in the hull below our feet. A lot can happen to your wine while it’s separated from you, and thanks to travel regulations on liquid, checking it is the only way you can take it with you, so it’s best to be prepared.

Luggage Tips

Because you’re going to have to check your bags, the first thing you’ll need to contend with is the airport’s friendly baggage handlers. Since the priority never seems to be handling your baggage with the utmost care, when you have a bottle made of glass inside your luggage, you want to make sure the bottles are well-padded to handle any impacts your bag may encounter. If you travel with wine or other alcohol a fair amount, it would be a good idea to invest in a hard suitcase like this one to minimize the effects of impact. We’ve found from experience that canvas suitcases are a risky option. Even small jostling such as the drop onto the baggage carousel when you finally reach your destination can cause a bottle to be damaged in a canvas suitcase, so going with a hard-sided model will definitely help prevent disappointment when your bags finally arrive.

Packing Tips

No matter which type of luggage you use, you’ll want to make sure your bottles are as padded as possible. Don’t pack the bottles near the sides of the suitcase; instead, try to line the bag with soft clothing, to serve as padding, and then place your wine in the center. This is especially important if you’re dealing with that canvas suitcase we discussed above; that layer of clothing along the sides is the only real line of defense standing between your bottle and any hard surfaces the bag may happen to bang against.

Once you have thoroughly lined the suitcase, the easiest thing to do is simply to wrap each bottle in a good amount of clothes and place each one in the bag. While we’ve used this model countless times before and it’s great in a pinch, we don’t really recommend it if you have time to plan ahead. That’s because if the bottles do break, their contents are going to wind up all over your clothes — we’ll never forget the time a nice bottle of sherry ruined an equally nice summer suit. That’s why we always throw a couple of Wine Skins or Jet Bags in our luggage when traveling. Both not only pad the bottles we may happen to pick up, but if the bottles do break, they prevent the wine from getting all over our clothes. After placing our bottles inside these protective sleeves, we place them in the center of the bag just as we would bottles wrapped in clothes. While these sleeves are helpful, they don’t make your wine bulletproof, so you should still take the above precautions.

TSA & Customs Tips

Now that you’re ready to pack your wine away, just make sure you adhere to the TSA and U.S. Customs guidelines. There’s a lot of information flying around out there — pun intended — about what you can and can’t do in regards to traveling with alcohol, so we went straight to the sources. According to the TSA — remember they only handle airport security and the regulation of continental travel — you can travel with an unlimited amount of alcohol in your checked bag as long as each bottle is under 24% alcohol by volume, which has wine covered, and fits within the airline’s weight regulations.

If you’re bringing wine into the U.S. from an international location, the same TSA guidelines hold, but on top of this, you have to deal with U.S. Customs. According to U.S. Customs, while you can bring an unlimited amount of wine that’s under 24% alcohol by volume into the U.S., for personal use, you only get one liter of that wine duty free. Any alcohol on top of a liter is subject to a 3% tax, but we’ve rarely seen them enforce this rule, and 3% is still very low. Think about it: if you bring back $1,000 worth of wine, you only have to pay a duty of $30. We think that’s worth it, especially if it’s a wine you cannot find here in the U.S.

While these rules have you covered for travel to and around the U.S., it’s important to also check the rules for leaving your departure country. Even though the United States allows you to come back with an unlimited amount of wine if it’s for personal use, departure countries may restrict what you can leave with, from only a few bottles to just a case. Ask your hotel or call your airline.

Follow these guidelines and while we still can’t promise a 100% stress free travel experience — because let’s face it you still have to travel via a U.S. airport — at least you can rest easy in regards to the wine in your bag.

Published: October 12, 2014

• How To Fly With Wine Like A Pro | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/travel-wine-like-pro/
• wbs_cat Wine, protips, Travel
• 8 Unique Vintage Wine Accessories | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/8-unique-vintage-wine-accessories/
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Flying With Wine Confidently: How To Check-In Wine On Flights?

May 07 2021

Can You Bring Wine on a Plane?

How to check-in wine on flights, flying with wine bottles internationally, will wine freeze during travel, will wine bottles explode on a plane, how to pack your wine in a suitcase, flying with wine packing and luggage tips, don’t drink wine while inside the plane, don’t drink your wine yet when you reach home.

Do you want to bring home a special bottle of wine as a souvenir or perhaps give it to a friend? Whatever your reason might be, it is allowed to bring wine with you on a plane. 

Flying with wine bottles is easy as long as you follow the rules set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). They only allow 3.4 oz for hand luggage, and typically there is no limit for checked baggage.

Read this article to get more information about flying with wine before you book that flight.

Yes, you may bring your wine on a plane, as long as you are of legal age. The rules also depend on where you place your wine. For carry-ons, the TSA has a 3-1-1 regulation for liquids, including wine.

This means that you can only bring a maximum of 3.4 oz or 100 mL of wine in a single 1- quart bag . This rule applies to wines that have less than 70% alcohol content. Anything above that is not allowed.

Since a wine bottle is 26 oz or 750 mL and a glass of wine is 5 oz, you would not be able to bring much at all. So flying with wine in a carry-on is not something that we recommend you to do.

However, after checking in, you may buy a wine from the duty-free shop in the airport, and you can place it inside your hand luggage. TSA’s 3-1-1 only applies at the security checkpoint.

Can I check in wine at the airport? Yes, you may. TSA allows flying with wine in checked luggage. However, the amount of wine that you may bring depends on the wine’s alcohol content. 

Wines with less than 24% alcohol or 48 proof

The alcohol concentration in wines is typically below 24%, so this is applicable for most wines.  TSA did not set any limit for the wines that you can bring through checked luggage.

However, you might pay an extra fee if you exceed the allowed weight for your luggage. You might also need to pay taxes depending on your destination. The United States would charge tax if you brought more than 1L of wine from a foreign country.

Wines between 24%-70% alcohol or 48-140 proof

A high alcohol concentration in wine is uncommon. But if you have this type of wine and want to fly with it, you can only bring a maximum of 5L. TSA also requires it to be  in unopened retail packaging.

Alcohols that have a higher concentration than 70% are not allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.

It is possible to bring wine on international flights as long as you are 21 years old or older.

But be sure to check first with your airline and the country’s laws you plan to go to.

As mentioned earlier, the United States charges about 3% tax for more than 1L of wine from other countries. However, if you came from a Caribbean country or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can carry more.

Foreign countries might also have a similar policy, so be sure to check with their customs department first. It is best to declare that you brought wine when you reach the Global Entry Kiosk, or you may write it in your customs form. Specify how much wine you are carrying. 

If it is below or near the exception, you will be able to pass through. But if it is above the exception, you will have to pay a fee, usually 4% of the wine’s price. Ensure that your wine bottle is labeled correctly.

Wine freezes when exposed to temperatures below its freezing point, which is typically 22° F or -5.6° C. Suppose you’re not traveling to Alaska or another place with a snowy climate. In that case, you don’t have to worry about your wine freezing. 

The insulation from your clothes or the wine bag will also prevent it from freezing. However, if you are traveling to a place similar to Alaska, we recommend having your wine shipped professionally.

But if you choose to risk putting wine in your luggage or your bags have been delayed, check the quality of the bottle’s cork or stopper . You’ll know that your wine froze if the cork or stopper is slightly pushed out. For a situation like this, it would be helpful if you have a wine preservation system.

You don’t have to worry about the bottle exploding when flying with wine because they pressurize the cargo area and control the temperature inside the plane.

However, your wine bottle might break if the baggage handler throws around your luggage. That’s why it’s necessary to secure your wine in the suitcase.

Flying with wine bottles is uncomplicated as long as you properly pack the drink in your luggage, preventing them from breaking or leaking. This process is also essential to avoid the freezing of your wine when traveling to ice-cold places.

Here is what you should do to carefully pack the wine in your luggage and keep it secure.

What You’ll Need

• Hard side suitcase
• Bub ble wrap 
• Ziplock bag
• Bottle of wine
• Shoes and other firm items
• Wrap the bottle of wine in bubble wrap.
• Place it inside a ziplock bag. 
• Cover the ziplock bag with another bubble wrap.
• Place your clothes inside the hard side suitcase.
• Pack the bottle tightly in between your clothes and in the middle of the suitcase. Make sure that it has no space to move around so its neck won’t snap.
• Put the shoes or other firm things between the wine bottle and the edges of the case to serve as a protective barrier.

Pro Tip: You can also use wine diapers to minimize the impacts and vibrations in your wine bottles.

Here is a video about packing wine in your luggage and how to safely transport it:

Choose a Hard Side Suitcase

Hard side suitcases are more expensive, but they can endure more impact and damage. 

Meanwhile, soft suitcases can get dented or pushed in.

So in the hands of a baggage handler, a wine bottle will have a better chance when it’s inside a hard side suitcase.

Have a Wine Travel Bag

If you have no bubble wrap or want to ensure that your wine bottle will not break, you should consider having a wine travel bag .

Wine travel bags are reusable and do not take up much space when they’re empty. They are also light, typically weighing less than 2 ounces.

To help you choose the right wine travel bag, you should look for the following:

• Absorbent pads
• Cushion-like material
• Reusable non-adhesive seal
• Non-transparent material
• No sharp edges

Other alternatives are wine diapers , wine sleeves , and packing cubes .

Use a Fragile Sticker

Most of the time, when people see items with fragile stickers , they take better care of them. That’s why it would be a great idea to place a fragile sticker on your luggage, so baggage handlers will not throw around your suitcase when flying with wine bottles.

Check for Insurance

You can ask the airline or your credit card if they have insurance options for wine. Some airlines provide insurance when you check in your wine bottle inside a cardboard box with styrofoam, but others may not.

Even though flying with wine bottles is allowed, drinking on the plane isn’t. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers this illegal and will charge you with a high fine.

If a flight attendant sees you, he/she will intervene, and the local police might even be alerted after the arrival. However, JetBlue is an exception to this. If you are sober and politely ask their flight attendant, he/she will serve your alcohol in a wine glass.

I know you might be excited to drink your wine as soon as you get home, but hold off on that bottle opener and corkscrew for a while. Your wine might suffer from bottle sickness or temporary bottle shock, meaning its taste may temporarily be muted. 

Let it stand for 1-2 weeks, and it will return to its normal state. The causes of bottle shock are unknown, but the components of wine might be negatively affected due to shaking and heat.

However, not all wines are affected by bottle shock. Younger wines recover quickly, while older wines and those with heavy sediments are slower to recover.

Flying with wine bottles is a mystery to some, and learning how to do this correctly can be beneficial, especially for those who want to take home a souvenir or bring a rare bottle to a friend or family.

There are many other reasons why someone wants to check-in wine at the airport, but what is important is that you pack it tightly and follow the airline’s rules and your destination country’s customs regulations.

Have you tried flying with wine bottles? Do you have some tips or tricks for flying with wine in checked luggage that you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments. You can also share this article with other wine enthusiasts who love to travel.

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Flying With Wine: Packing and Legal Tips You Need to Know

Packing wine to fly? We asked an expert about customs laws, airline policies, and avoiding luggage disasters.

By Zac Thompson

Plenty of people travel for wine, but, paradoxically, wine isn’t easy to travel with, especially if you’re taking a plane. 

Before you pick up a bottle or two at the out-of-town winery you’re visiting, there are laws to consider, airline policies to familiarize yourself with, and luggage disasters to guard against.

We figured a wine importer would be a good person to turn to for pointers. After all, roaming vineyards and testing vintages across the globe is part of the job description. Sounds like grueling work, huh? 

Mika Bulmash is the founder and CEO of Wine for the World , a small import company that focuses on sustainably produced wines from under-appreciated regions such as southern Brazil and the Peloponnese in Greece.  

Bulmash has racked up a lot of miles traveling to those places from New York, where the company is based, and she has learned some stuff along the way. 

Lesson 1 : Wear dark clothes to a tasting in case you spill.

Lesson 2 : Plan for bottle transport before you leave home. 

Red Tape for Reds and Whites

If you’re traveling internationally, says Bulmash, “you have to look at what each country that you’re entering and exiting has in terms of laws for the amount of wine you can bring."

For flights into the United States, the duty-free limit for alcoholic beverages for personal use, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection , is one liter   per passenger over age 21. A standard wine bottle holds 750 milliliters (mL)—just under the allowance.  

“Beyond the duty-free limit,” says Bulmash, “you can bring in wine—you just have to pay taxes on it.” That means declaring the bottles on your entry form at the airport and standing in an extra line. 

The amount of the tax is calculated according to the percentage of alcohol by volume and the wine’s value, so you’ll want to save your receipt at the time of purchase. “The taxes are generally pretty low,” according to Bulmash. “The most annoying thing about it is the time you spend at the airport, not the money.”

She also recommends checking the airline’s policies because they “have their own allowances and guidelines” that may differ from the government’s. 

On United Airlines flights, for instance, there are no restrictions on how much wine and beer you can carry in checked luggage (provided the beverages have less than 24% alcohol by volume). Air France , on the other hand, caps the allowed amount of booze at 5 liters per passenger for all bottles with less than 70% alcoholic volume.

The carrier may be more restrictive than the government, so find the airline's policy online and plan accordingly. 

And this is probably obvious, but we’re talking about checked baggage here. The Transportation Security Administration limits liquids in carry-on luggage to 3.4 ounces (100mL), so standard bottles of wine must go in your checked bags.

The one exception is alcohol bought at a duty-free shop at the airport after you’ve already gone through security.  

Packing Hacks

To avoid dyeing everything in her suitcase maroon, Bulmash tells us that she puts each wine bottle in a padded, absorbent, and sealable plastic bag of the sort sold by WineSkin ($9 for two reusable bags) and JetBag ($9.99 for a set of three). Another option is the inflatable VinniBag ($30 for a reusable bag). With products like these, “you get extra protection for the bottle as well as insurance from spillage,” she says.

And the bags can be reused to protect other breakables you pick up in your travels, like jars of olive oil and those precious souvenir shot glasses. 

If you don’t want to buy extra packing gear, wrap the wine bottle in a plastic shopping bag and tie it shut. Then roll that bundle in clothes—“jeans or something dark,” adds Bulmash, to minimize stains if the bottle breaks. Pack everything else in so that there are layers of padding on all sides. Says Bulmash: “Most of the bag should be dedicated to ensuring the safety of the wine.”

A hard-sided suitcase wouldn’t hurt, either. 

To Ship or Schlep?

To all of the above considerations you can add concerns over space and weight. Rising airline baggage fees make it wise to pack lightly, and you know what isn’t light? A 30-pound case of cabernet.

Keeping wines in frigid cargo holds or on steaming tarmacs for extended periods can alter delicate flavors, too.

If you plan to stock up on more than a few bottles, shipping services offered by wineries and retailers might be a good alternative to dragging your haul to the airport—though you’ll want to weigh whether the cost justifies the convenience.

Bulmash has an even more sensible idea.

“What I would recommend,” she says, “before trying to take any wine home—especially if you’re buying domestically— ask the winery if they have distribution in your state . If they do, get the name of the distributor, email them right away, and see if they have a store or location near where you live.”

It’s the same wine, after all, and, as Bulmash points out, “wine distributors spend a lot of time thinking about how wine is transported so that consumers don’t have to.”

Plus, they might give you a discount for reaching out. “And if you really love the wine, instead of just one bottle, you could buy a whole case.”

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Srn member links, what's the best way to travel with wine and avoid "bottle shock".

Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions , from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics .

Dear Dr. Vinny,

What's the best way to travel with wine if I don’t have a wine suitcase and I’m worried about ''bottle shock"?

—Ericka, Miami Beach, Fla.

Dear Ericka,

Great question, presuming of course that you are referring to the temporary condition by which a wine's flavors may seem muted and not to the 2008 Alan Rickman film of the same name.

Now that we’re traveling again, it’s time to start thinking about how to pack our favorite gift or souvenir. I’m going to stick to domestic traveling advice, because before the pandemic, international laws were tricky enough—I can’t imagine how complicated they are now. But be certain to check with the countries you’re traveling to and from with wine—as well as with your airline—to make sure you’re legally permitted to carry wine to or from your destination.

Since you’ll be traveling with more than 3 ounces of wine, if you're flying, you'll have to prepare your wine to be treated as a checked bag, because that's exactly what it will be. Do your best to insulate the wine in the event of rough treatment of your luggage—bubble wrap is good, and Styrofoam shipping containers are even better. I wrap my bottles in a plastic bag or two, too, just in case.

Wine travel suitcases can be quite chic, and they often come with foam inserts that keep your wine nice and snug, but they can cost upwards of $100. Plus, it's kind of annoying to travel with an empty wine suitcase on the way there. There are more affordable wine bottle–shaped bubble-wrapped sleeves or inflatable sheathes which can be helpful. As much as I’m not a fan of Styrofoam, a 6-bottle wine shipper with Styrofoam insert will weigh about 20 pounds when full of wine, and that's still light enough for me to deal with it at the luggage carousel.

As far as “bottle shock” (aka “bottle sickness” or “travel shock”), there's no scientific explanation for it, but anecdotal evidence suggests that bottles of wine that have recently been agitated by shipping or air travel may require a few days or weeks to “recover” from getting all shook up and get back to being their best selves. Fragile, older wines seem more susceptible to this condition, and younger, more robust wines less so. But no matter what kind of wine and how well you pack it, I recommend letting it rest in proper storage conditions for a few days or even weeks before enjoying it.

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I’m Laura, the founder of Wine Travelista. And your go-to gal for winederlust inspiration, travel tips, and foodie destinations. Starting as a personal passion, friends began coming to me for wine recommendations and my infamously detailed trip itineraries. I realized I loved helping others enjoy better wine and save time and money on travel. After careful consideration (and a few glasses of Barolo), I made the bold decision to leave my corporate job of 15 years and start this blog. Since then, I’ve become WSET Level 3 certified in wine, an American Wine Expert, and just visited my 30th country. Thanks for following me on this journey and I hope you’ll come back often! Learn More...

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How To Travel With Wine

Taking wine on your travels can provide immense pleasure for wine aficionados, yet it demands meticulous preparation and focus on details. Whether you’re transporting a treasured bottle from a renowned wine area or packing your …

Written by: John Ward

Published on: March 25, 2024

Taking wine on your travels can provide immense pleasure for wine aficionados, yet it demands meticulous preparation and focus on details. Whether you’re transporting a treasured bottle from a renowned wine area or packing your preferred wine for a journey, it’s essential to take into account various aspects to guarantee that your valued wine reaches its destination safely and in perfect shape.

Choosing the Right Wine

Before embarking on a wine-filled journey, I always start by selecting the right wine to travel with. Opting for wines that are sturdy and less delicate is key. I tend to avoid wines that are too young or fragile, as they may not withstand the jostling and temperature changes of travel.

Packaging and Protection

Once I’ve chosen the perfect wine, ensuring its safety during travel is my next priority. I always use a specialized wine travel bag or a secure wine bottle protector, which provides cushioning and prevents breakage. Wrapping each bottle in a wine sleeve or bubble wrap adds an extra layer of protection.

Complying with Regulations

It’s important to be aware of any regulations regarding the transportation of alcohol, especially when traveling internationally. I make sure to check the specific guidelines of the airline or country I’m visiting to avoid any unwanted surprises at the airport.

Temperature Control

Temperature fluctuations can greatly impact the quality of wine, so I always use a wine travel case that provides insulation against temperature changes. Additionally, I try to avoid exposing the wine to extreme heat or cold during transit, as this can alter its flavor and aroma.

Packing and Transporting

When it comes to packing wine for a trip, I ensure that the bottles are snugly secured to prevent movement. Placing them in the center of my luggage, surrounded by soft clothing, helps absorb any shock and prevents them from shifting during handling.

Declaration and Documentation

Whether I’m traveling domestically or internationally, I always declare the wine at customs if required. It’s essential to have all the necessary documentation, including purchase receipts and permits, to avoid any complications during customs clearance.

My Personal Touch

As a wine lover, I find that traveling with wine adds an exciting dimension to my journeys. It allows me to share unique bottles with friends and family, and brings back cherished memories of the places I’ve visited. The anticipation of enjoying a well-chosen wine after a long journey is always a special moment for me.

Traveling with wine can be a rewarding experience when approached with care and consideration. By selecting the right wine, providing adequate protection, and adhering to regulations, I’ve been able to enjoy my favorite wines during my travels while preserving their quality. Remember, a little planning goes a long way in ensuring that your wine arrives safely and ready to be savored.

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Flying With Wine Like An Expert

CWA Staff [January 2019]

Flying with Wine Like an Expert

Flying with wine is easy if you follow some simple guidelines and have the right gear. Knowing that your precious wine is traveling safely with you feels a lot better than handing it off to a third party.

Opening a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoying it in your home is a joy. But, what should you do when you receive an invitation to some special occasion? What if you decide that bringing that exceptional bottle you’ve been saving with you is just the thing needed to elevate the event? Or, if you like to travel, bringing back a few bottles from your trip can allow you to relive the memories. You may even find wines that are hard to get where you live.

Now, if you are driving to your destination, then traveling with wine is a relatively straightforward affair. Of course, you still need to make sure your precious cargo is packed safely. The last thing you want to see is a broken bottle. It’s a good idea to invest in some specialized accessories to protect your bottles from bumps and heat. But there are no other major issues to worry about. That is not the case if you plan to fly with wine.

For one, protecting your bottles from damage becomes even more important. Various people will handle your luggage around airports, and you don’t know how careful they’ll be. There are also conveyor belts and other things that come with boarding a plane, all leading to an increased risk of that expensive bottle breaking. Your best bet of avoiding this is to get some proper wine bottle travel protectors .

Secondly, you need to take the rules and restrictions into account. As you are well aware, air travel is subject to very strict security measures. This means there are limitations as to what you can bring onto a plane. Fortunately, these restrictions are not too severe when it comes to traveling with wine. Still, you need to be aware of them in advance in order to avoid any nasty surprises when you get to airport security.

This article will help with both of these issues.

Rules and Regulations | Flying with Wine

When you want to fly with wine, there are, in general, three types of rules to keep an eye out for.

Rules of National Security Agencies

For the States, this refers to the regulations of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration). Here, we can make another distinction:

Wine in Carry-On Luggage

Strictly speaking, you are allowed to bring alcohol in your carry-on. But, there is a big limitation regarding the size – the bottle cannot be bigger than 100ml (3.40z). As we are talking about full-sized wine bottles, this essentially means you’ll need to turn to the other option.

You may be able to bypass this restriction by purchasing wine in a duty-free store after you’ve cleared security, but that is not the scenario this article will focus on.

Wine in Checked Luggage

When it comes to flying with wine, this is the way to go. Once again, the TSA does have restrictions in place, but they do not generally impact wine lovers. Specifically, the only restriction for checked luggage is the alcohol content of the beverage.

• If it is below 24%, there are no added restrictions.
• If the alcohol content is between 24% and 70%, each passenger is limited to 5l (1.3 gallons).
• Beverages with an alcohol content above 70% are prohibited

Now, the alcohol content isn’t the same in every wine. But even fortified wines tend to be between the 18% and 20% mark . As a result, no special restrictions apply to this beverage. Therefore, the TSA won’t mind the wine in your suitcase as long as you’ve followed the standard procedures.

Airline Rules

If your intention is to check wine as luggage, the best course of action is to do a bit of research on the airline you’ll be using. They will follow the TSA’s rules, but they may also have some added policies . For example, this could refer to how the bottles need to be packed and whether you have to use bottle protectors.

Additionally, even though the TSA does not place added restrictions on wine in checked luggage, you still need to abide by the weight limits each airline has in place. So, check ahead to see how much weight you have to work with.

Import Laws

Finally, if you’re bringing in wine from abroad, there are some added rules to follow. Most notably, you’ll need to pay extra duties. You can generally enter one liter of alcohol into the States duty-free , but the rest will come with an added cost. These costs will depend on several factors but are generally almost negligible when the wine is for your personal use.

Finally, while on the topic of international travel, you should make sure to check the applicable regulations if you’re planning to bring wine into another country. We’ve focused on the USA, but you might face a different scenario.

Wine Travel Bags

Now that we’ve gone over the rules that relate to traveling with wine on an airplane, it is clear that checked luggage is your best bet. But, that also means your precious bottles will be out of your hands. As such, you want to pack them in a way that ensures the best protection possible. And for this, you need specialized travel bags.

Wine Suitcases

A really good option is to go for a wine suitcase. Typically, they will have a hard outer case and some sort of foam inserts on the inside. This ensures your bottles will have a snug fit, protecting them from the shocks that are inevitable with this mode of travel.

There are options out there that cost less, but these suitcases can provide a lot of value for money. If traveling with wine is something you do on a regular basis, one of these will really prove its worth with time.

Look here for our recommendation  | The best wine suitcase

The Wine Check Bag

Another very popular option is the Wine Check bag. As you can tell by the name, it is designed to be used when flying with wine. When combined with the appropriate inserts, this travel bag will make getting your wine on and off a plane much easier.

Its nylon construction makes it lightweight, meaning it will stay under the usual weight limits even when fully loaded. In conjunction with the inserts, it provides several layers of protection to keep your bottles safe.

We believe the Wine Check is one of the best travel bags for wine out there – look here for more info.

Bottle Protectors

Lastly, if you don’t want a separate travel bag for your wine, you can go for bottle protectors instead. With them, you can pack wine bottles into your regular suitcase with a lot of added protection.

There are several types available. Some are inflatable and use air to protect your bottles while others rely on different methods. But they all decrease the risk your bottles will get damaged and are leak-proof to protect the other items in your suitcase.

To see some outstanding wine bottle protectors, click here .

When you want to fly with wine, you need to prepare. You should make sure you’ll comply with all the applicable rules and regulations and take extra care when packing your wine. Hopefully, this article will help you with both. It might take a bit of extra work, but traveling with wine can open up even more ways to enjoy this sublime beverage – airplanes should not get in the way of this.

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The Dos and Don'ts of Traveling With Alcohol in Your Checked Bags

By Ria Gupta

When you’re bringing back drinks from a “spirited” vacation, how you get to packing alcohol in your luggage for a flight could make or break things—quite literally.

But wait, you say: Can I even pack alcohol into my luggage in the first place? Yes, you can. The official language on the TSA's website says, “Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.”

That said, there are no rules in place around the packaging condition of the liquids, so it’s on travelers to secure their own bottles. We spoke with avid travelers and alcohol experts for the dos and don’ts of flying with your favorite drinks. Here are the mistakes to avoid when packing alcohol in your luggage.

Do not carry sparkling or carbonated drinks in checked-in baggage

You are technically allowed to carry fizzy drinks in checked luggage, but they pose a risk of exploding due to pressure changes in the cargo hold. While cargo holds in most commercial aircraft are pressurized, consider confirming with your airline if it's a good idea to check your alcohol before packing things up.

Even so, spirits always run the risk of spilling or exploding, which is why it’s inadvisable to carry your seltzers and Champagne on a flight. If you still do, pack them up in individual airtight bags, and stuff them between clothes and objects to ensure minimal movement. You could also consider buying your bottles at duty-free stores to bypass the 100ml limit and carry them with you into the cabin.

Do wrap bottles in protective materials

There’s no knowing how your bags are going to be handled in transit. To avoid damage, skip the flimsy plastic wrap and cover your bottles in thicker materials like your own sweaters. Or, you could do it like a pro and use bubble wrap or wine-shipping packaging designed specifically for situations like this. Materials like this provide sound cushioning and can help prevent breakage. Consider using thick socks to further secure the bottle and prevent it from shaking or breaking during the flight.

Trust us: the original retail packaging is worth the space it takes up. While the canister may seem like it’s occupying extra room, the metal case can serve as an added protective layer, especially in checked-in baggage. When travelling, research your destination as well as alcohol brands. Destinations like California have a thriving retail business, with most wineries and alcohol shops providing travel packaging so you don’t have to put in the extra effort. European destinations, on the other hand, are a network of small-scale wineries and distilleries, where you may not find bottles in sturdy packaging. So when visiting countries like Greece and Italy, you’d want to carry spare cases and covers from home.

Do not put partially consumed bottles in your checked luggage

Per regulations, travelers can carry up to 3.4 ounces or 100ml of liquids in cabin baggage. For alcohol with 24% to 70% ABV, up to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of spirits are allowed in checked baggage. However, bottles with partially consumed alcohol are prohibited in flights altogether. This means your bottles must either remain unopened or be completely empty. Consider transferring the whatever leftover liquids you have to smaller bottles that can be properly sealed and packed for transit.

Do not open wine right after a flight

While most alcohol stagnates once they’re transferred from barrel to bottle, wine continues to age. It’s a living, breathing spirit that gets affected by the heat, pressure, and motion experienced in a flight. Even if you’re looking to celebrate your arrival with some red, it’s unwise to open your wine immediately after landing. Let the spirit stabilize for at least 48 hours after arrival by keeping it standing, so the liquid doesn’t touch the cork. With input from Subhasis Ganguly, founder of The Calcutta Malt and Spirits Club , and Hemanth Rao, founder of Single Malt Amateur Club . A version of this article first appeared in Condé Nast Traveller India .

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How to Travel With Wine

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Traveling with wine—especially red wine—in your checked luggage can be high stakes.

And while, yes, you could just wrap that wine in clothes in your suitcase and hope for the best, there are much better options.

Why not just ship? You can, but in the warmer months, many wineries won’t ship to most parts of the country because of the risk of heat damage that comes with ground shipping.

Accessories for Traveling With Wine

Here are four of the best-reviewed products for traveling successfully with wine.

Vinnibag: The Vinnibag is a reusable, inflatable wine protector that stores flat when it’s not in use. To use it, insert a bottle of wine in the middle, partially inflate the Vinnibag, roll the bottom closed, and inflate completely. The columns of air created through inflation create a thick layer of padding without adding weight. Vinnibag has other uses as well, and can be, among other things, a waterproof float for your cell phone and keys at the pool.

Check Vinnibag price and reviews

Wineskin: Wineskin is the classic, inexpensive option for people looking to travel with wine. You’ll find these in tasting rooms around the country. There’s a single-use version that seals with adhesive, and a zip-top version that can be reused. The single layer of bubble wrap around all sides offers decent padding.

Check Wineskin price and reviews

JetBag: The JetBag comes with interior padding, but its main focus is on protecting the contents of your suitcase against any spills. The interior of the plastic bag is lined with the same absorbent material found in diapers, and is designed to soak up a full bottle of wine. The reusable zip seal means that, as long as there haven’t been any spills, the bag can be reused.

Check JetBag price and reviews

The Wine Check: With its wheels and pull strap, the Wine Check is the easiest way to travel with a case of wine. The durable Cordura nylon shell has reinforced stitching, padded sides, top and bottom, and a full zippered top. You can use it with either a cardboard or Styrofoam insert; without the insert (for instance, when you’re transporting it to your destination before you fill it with wine), the Wine Check folds up and can fit in a suitcase.

Check Wine Check price and reviews

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Incredible Vineyard Hotels Perfect for Wine Lovers
• 5 Secret Wine Regions You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
• Napa’s Yountville is Walkable Wine Country

Christine Sarkis brings wine, food, and interesting scraps of paper home from her travels. Follow her on Twitter  @ChristineSarkis  and Instagram  @postcartography  for more advice about making every vacation the best vacation.

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15 Tips to Plan the Perfect Wine Tasting Vacation

Planning a wine vacation (what we tend to call a wine tasting trip) is not without its challenges. Plotting the right course for your wine vacation is not only time-consuming, but with so many resources at your fingertips online, it can be quite overwhelming simply determining where to start.

How to Plan the Perfect Wine Tasting Trip in Any Region

To simplify both the planning process and your experience while you’re out wine tasting, we’ve compiled a solid list of “do’s and don’ts.” Essentially, this article offers some of the best tips for planning a successful wine tourism vacation — based on our editorial staff’s experience in planning and partaking in wine tasting tours around the world.

Figure Out How Much Time You Have for a Wine Trip

Before setting a budget or picking a region, you must figure out how much time you have available for the perfect wine travel experience. If you’re working full time, you may only have a week or two of vacation. Determining the length of your trip will also be a contributing factor when determining your budget, which we cover next.

RELATED: Browse and Book Wine Tours All Over The World

Set Your Maximum, All-Inclusive Budget

Deciding how much you’re willing to spend on your wine vacation is a quick way to narrow down your options.

If you’re strapped for cash, you might consider a domestic experience and visit an up-and-coming wine region like the Texas Hill Country , where travel, accommodation and tasting costs are relatively low.

If you have a little more money to burn, and still want to stay domestic, you could head over to one of the more pricey regions in California, such as Napa Valley .

Or perhaps you’re looking for a more authentic and exotic experience, such as wine tasting in Piedmont, Italy, Rioja, Spain or Bordeaux, France. Maybe you want to go as far as New Zealand! All of these are fantastic choices for venturing out and exploring the world through wine, but traveling abroad also tends to cost a bit more.

RELATED: 22 Amazing Wineries and Experiences To Enjoy in Rioja Spain

This is why it’s best to set a budget before you pick a destination, so you’re not disappointed in case you can’t afford your dream trip (yet). Be sure to consider location, timing, flight, transport, tasting, food and accommodation costs. If I’m flying to a new wine destination, I always  search for flights on Google Flights first and then use that cost as a baseline for wrapping my head around what ultimately the complete experience may cost. Then, I use Airfarewatchdog to send me flight deal alerts when a deal goes on sale immediately. Searching for hotels on TripAdvisor also helps to source the best price by comparing multiple travel sites.

Narrow Down Your Region

It kind of goes without saying, but an essential step when planning a wine tourism experience is to decide where you want to go. Keep in mind that there are hundreds of “broad” wine regions, within which thousands of sub-appellations exist. One could spend his or her entire life traveling and tasting wine and likely not be able to hit every sub-appellation around the world.

That being said, don’t be too ambitious in choosing your region.

First, start by picking a country. From there, narrow it down to a broad wine region within that country. From there, you can further narrow your trip to specific sub-appellations. Then, within those sub-appellations, you can begin to research individual wineries that suit yours and your fellow travelers’ personal preferences. Let me explain by using Spain as an example:

I’ve decided that I want to visit Spain for a wine vacation. I know that “La Rioja” is a famous wine-growing region within North Central Spain. After doing my research, I now know that there are three sub-appellations within La Rioja — Rioja Baja, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. Now, let’s assume that I have one week allotted for my trip. Again, after doing my research, I know that that’s plenty of time to visit all three sub-appellations in some way shape or form. I may not be able to visit every winery within each sub-appellation, but I should be able to have a pretty immersive experience in each, given the amount of time I would have available to me.

You get the idea. If you have more than one week for a wine vacation, you might also consider visiting multiple “broad” regions within one or two countries. It’s dependent upon your individual situation.

Narrow Down The Kind of Experience You Want – Tips for Planning a Wine Trip

This is another great tip for planning the perfect wine tasting trip. Another way to further narrow down your options and cut through the exorbitant amount of red tape often involved with planning a vacation.

What are you looking to get out of this trip? Are you going by yourself, with a group, with a significant other or spouse? Are you trying to just get drunk? Are you looking for something romantic? Are you looking to integrate an active itinerary with adventure mixed in between tastings?

All of the above are great questions, and each should be answered before you move further on with planning your trip and deciding on individual wineries.

RELATED:   Discover Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Wine Regions

Select the Time of Year for Your Wine Tasting Vacation

For wine professionals, this is a common-sense thing to consider when planning a wine vacation. But as wine tourism in recent years has sky-rocketed to becoming one of the preferred styles of experiential travel, a lot of people are unaware that time of year can have a huge impact on your ultimate experience. Why? Well, for starters, depending on what hemisphere you’re looking to travel to, you might unknowingly arrive in the middle of winter.

RELATED: Advantages and Disadvantages To Visiting Wine Country During Each Season

The Northern Hemisphere experiences Summer generally between June, July, and August. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere experiences their Summer between December, January, and February. Also note that grape harvests in the Northern Hemisphere typically occur between September and October, while grape harvesting in the Southern Hemisphere generally occurs between March and April.

The above being said, consider what you’re looking to see in any given wine region and the kind of experience you want. If you want to experience a winery at harvest time, plan accordingly. If you don’t want to be cold, avoid the winter months. If Spring is more your thing and you want to see the vines just starting to bud, you’ll need to consider timing appropriately. You get the idea.

Consider Proximity (Airport, Hotels, Distance Between Wineries)

So now you’ve narrowed down your travel time, budget and general location. It’s time to get more specific.

First, depending on your preferred style of travel, it makes sense to plot a course in relation to how you travel. At this point, you should have a general idea of what flight(s) you’re taking and what airport you’ll be flying into. From there, you can begin to research wineries within whatever sub-appellations are closest to the airport. It’s best to begin selecting wineries, before booking hotels, as many wineries even offer accommodation options,  such as Marques de Riscal in La Rioja .

Proximity, in general, is critical to having a good experience. Maybe you’re looking to spread out your wine tastings to explore a landscape. Maybe you’re planning on drinking a lot so you’d rather not have to drive far. Or, maybe you’ve decided to have someone drive you around the entire time, which offers more flexibility and less worry. You also don’t want to end up dozens of miles from the nearest restaurant or hotel at the end of the day, so think about logistics throughout every step of your planning.

Consider Transportation Options

Taking proximity a step further, deciding on how you want to get around is critical to planning the perfect trip.

I prefer to drive myself and simply be cautious about how much I’ve been drinking when I’m winery touring. Others prefer to avoid this entirely and opt to use buses or pre-planned chauffeur services within whichever region they’re visiting. Additionally, some regions and specific wineries have dedicated guides, who will pick you up from your hotel, take you to lunch and a series of wineries within your preferred region.

It’s best to explore all of these options and be sure not to burn yourself out in one day. You can also mix it up, as we mentioned earlier. Drive yourself one day, use a guide the second day, etc. In any case, remember that ultimately you’ll need to eat, get back safely to your hotel and ultimately leave the region at the end of your trip. So again, think through logistics on a micro-level.

Tours vs. Tastings

Deciding on or mixing up Wine Tours vs. Wine Tastings is also a great way to narrow down your wine vacation experience. First, let’s define a wine tour vs. a wine tasting.

Wine Tours:  Generally, a guided tour by a winery employee or owner who takes you through their grounds and or vineyard property, which also includes tastings at the end.

Wine Tasting:  Generally, flights of wine are poured by bar staff at individual wineries (typically about 1 ounce), which allows the consumer to taste the varying styles of wine produced by the Vintner.

RELATED:   6 Different Wine Tasting Experiences To Try

First of all, some wineries don’t offer tours, so if you run into that you may already be able to knock some off your list. Secondly, wine tastings can be great, but they usually don’t provide a more emotional connection to the winery since you aren’t also visiting the grounds and learning about the winemaking process. Of course, there are many wineries out there that have excellent bar staff and can still offer a phenomenal experience.

A general rule for me on deciding on tours vs. tastings is two-fold. First, I look for wine tours at wineries that have exceptional grounds. A beautiful property is typically worth a tour as long as it isn’t too overpriced. Wineries that have smaller grounds and or unimpressive scenery may make more sense for simply tasting. Keep in mind, just because a winery may not have the most beautiful architecture, landscape or views doesn’t mean that they aren’t producing fantastic wine.

Second, I think it’s critical to try both tours and tastings. Based on the criteria I mentioned above, do your wine tours at fancy or well-known properties, and simply taste at the less impressive ones. This allows for a flexible, more immersive experience.

Reservations

So now you know the difference between a winery tour and a wine tasting. Keep in mind that as you continue planning your trip, you’re also going to need to figure out whether or not reservations are required for a visit in general. Many corporate  and  mom-and-pop wineries only allow visiting when a reservation is made. Conversely, many allow you to simply show up and say “I’m Here, Let me drink.”

Depending on the research you’re doing into visiting a region, you’re probably going to find both. You’ll need to decide whether or not you feel the wineries that require reservations are worth the visit or not. Once you’ve conceded yourself to a reservation, you’re going to need to try your best to make it. For some, this can be stressful having to rush from appointment to appointment. Others prefer the structure. Figure out what kind of experience you want and then book accordingly. I tend to interchange reservations and non-reservation required wineries on most of my trips.

For instance, on the first day, I may just want the freedom to roam with no time constraints. On the second day, perhaps there’s an epic winery I want to visit which requires a reservation, so I stick to a more structured schedule.

Know Your Favorite Style(s) of Wine

Another way to further narrow down the best wine vacation experience is to plan your tours and tastings around your favorite grapes! Consider researching individual wineries, and if possible, buy some of their wines at your local liquor store to get a sense of what they craft. More often than not, wineries will have styles of wine that they’re known for, and you can potentially plan your wine trip based around grape varieties and or blends that you prefer. A good way to figure this out is to use a wine rating application, like Vivino, to scan for wines by a particular winery and see what other consumers have rated them as. If you know you love a good Cabernet Sauvignon, and a winery you’re considering makes a Cabernet but you’re not sure if the quality — look the brand up on Vivino and search for the Cabernet to see where it stands.

RELATED:  Explore the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada

Conversely, you may be a very open-minded traveler and taster, like myself. If that’s the case, it’s still good to know what kind of wine styles are your favorite. When you get to any given region, you can tell your guide or winery staff the style of taste preference you have, and they can attempt to match that flavor preference with a grape variety perhaps you didn’t even know about! It’s this sort of open-mindedness that makes both wine and travel fun.

Familiarize Yourself with What the Region is Known For

At this point in your wine vacation planning, you’ve probably learned a decent amount about whatever region it is you’re visiting. Below, we’ll quickly list off a few other things you should familiarize yourself with before your visit.

What grape(s) is the region best known for?

When does the region harvest their grapes?

Have I done my research on the general history of the wine region?

Should I familiarize myself with local winemaking practices so I can appreciate the region more?

What is the average cost for a bottle of wine in the region?

What is the average cost of a tour in the region?

What is the average cost of a tasting in the region?

Generally, how does ‘tipping’ work in the region?

Consider the Climate, Pack Accordingly

Again, touching on what we mentioned earlier regarding the time of year when planning a wine vacation — be conscious of the general climate and weather conditions. Make sure you pack appropriate seasonal clothing and also take into account driving conditions if you are renting a car.

Also, it makes sense to get a free Travel Insurance quote  from a trusted provider to protect yourself from any “What If’s” that may arise on your trip. It could save a lot of money.

Using a Guide to Plan it For You

There are several companies out there that offer all-inclusive, guided packages for wine tours all over the world. Additionally, many of the appellations themselves are essentially marketing hubs and can offer recommendations or pre-packed itineraries you can simply follow along with.

Having your wine vacation planned for you comes with both its ups and downs. On one hand, the logistics are largely taken care of. On the other hand, you may be sacrificing your freedom. This comes down to the kind of traveler you are. Make sure to research your preferred region extensively and search around for possible package options. Many regions also have their own websites, which often mention guides, travel agents or wineries you can contact ahead of time to book your trip for you. We list a number of guided wine tours right here that can be customizable.

Know Where You’re Eating Ahead of Time

At this point, there’s a good chance you’ve got your general itinerary down. You know where you’re flying into and out of, what wineries you’re visiting and where you’re staying. But did you select restaurants ahead of time? Many wine travelers are guilty of omitting or completely forgetting about eating. Trust me, when you’re out on the road in the middle of a beautiful landscape, it’s easy to forget. At the same time, you don’t want to be stranded and have no idea where to go eat. Locating a restaurant on the spot can be incredibly time-consuming. Be sure to research restaurants in the area and have them marked down on your itinerary, with addresses and phone numbers so you can quickly navigate and pull an audible if necessary.

Additionally, be sure to pack some snacks that aren’t too light. If you’re on a tight schedule, you may not have time to have as big a meal as you’d like. As you’ll be drinking, it’s important to keep a base of food in your stomach to slow the absorption of alcohol.

Bringing Wine Home with You

Many wine tourists stumble (literally) across a beautiful style of wine they tried at a tasting or on a wine tour. It’s very common for these consumers to want to bring a few bottles home with them. Consider this ahead of time, and either bring a suitcase that allows for wine storage while traveling or set some money aside in your overall budget to account for purchasing wine and potentially having it shipped home. If you’re looking for a good suitcase to transport wine back home with you, check out this highly-rated 12 bottle case .

Travel Connected

Some people are going to disagree with me on this. Many travelers prefer to be “unplugged” from their digital lives that they’re so consumed by at home. If that’s you, ignore this tip. However, I do advise having some form of connectivity when traveling, especially abroad. Having a GPS and or a general, interactive map can be invaluable to saving you both time and money as you navigate a foreign region. Also, you may get to a point where you don’t know where to eat, or you get a flat tire, or you run out of gas (which happened to me in British Columbia recently). Save yourself that hassle and have some form of an emergency contact. Many carriers, such as Verizon, now offer pretty great deals on getting service abroad. For as little as $10 a day in Europe ($2 / day in Canada), I was able to have access to 8 Gigs of data throughout my entire trip.

Read Reviews

At this point, your trip should be pretty much booked and you should be pretty excited. However, if you’re still unsure about certain aspects, don’t be afraid to look up reviews! Whether it’s of the wineries, hotels, restaurants, whatever you may be unsure about — reviews are incredibly helpful. We frequently review itineraries, wines and individual wineries here at Winetraveler, so keep an eye on our app — which integrates reviews from multiple sources.

You can also browse our database of wineries around the world and filter down to wineries in certain regions that fit your travel preferences.

Questions? Ask away in the comment section below! We’re here to help make your wine tasting vacation experience the best it can be.

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Leave a comment, ask a question or share a review cancel reply, comments ( 13 ).

It really helped when you mentioned how it is recommended to set up a budget when planning a wine tasting tour. I can understand that doing this can help you not only choose the best tour for your pocket but also make the most of it. My sister was talking about how she was planning a bachelorette party wine tasting, so I wanted to look into it.

Setting a budget is always a great starting point because it helps you determine the limitations of your trip from the beginning. From there, you can drill down realistically how many places you can afford to visit depending on the kind of experiences you want.

definitely a good part for my planing to wine tasting , thank you so much

No problem! Let us know if you have any more questions!

I like the planning tips you recommend in the article like making reservations and researching which wineries you want to visit. A lot of times you don’t have the time to see and taste everything. Be sure and determine exactly how you want to spend your time.

Yes! Before planning any wine vacation it’s best to go into it with your travel preferences in mind. Research can be a pain, there’s a ton of information out there. But luckily here at Winetraveler we help you plan your perfect trip in minutes :).

[…] the 6 main ways to go wine tasting at a winery and or vineyard so you can be prepared and better plan your next wine vacation. Note that these methods vary by winery, and every option we mention may not be available depending […]

It was really nice how you said that winery tour includes having the owner or a winery employee take the tourists around the grounds or through the orchard of the property and can include tastings in the end. So, I guess what I really do want to do is to have a winery tour. I like wine, but I’m not really into tasting every single wine available in the cellar. I just want to see and feel the atmosphere of a winery. Thanks! I’ll get myself scheduled for a tour right away.

Tours always provide a more intimate and custom-tailored experience. I really recommend them especially if you can speak with the the vineyard ahead of time, lock down a price and confirm the kind if experience you’d like. If you visit during the less trafficked months (Winter –> Early Spring), you can sometimes get them for free as a walk-in experience too.

[…] you are new to planning a wine vacation, you might be unaware of the right time for the experience. The Northern Hemisphere grape […]

My family and I are planning to try wine tasting for our bonding. We’ll make sure to figure out how much time we have available for the wine tasting, so everything we’ll run smoothly. I just have to look for a perfect wine vineyard tour, so we may begin this exciting activity!

My boyfriend and I are planning to go on a wine tasting trip this coming weekend at Long Island. Thanks for your helpful tips on how to plan for this kind of trip. I like what you said about deciding on or mixing up wine tours and wine tastings since this can also be a great way to narrow down our overall wine vacation experience. I shall then talk to my boyfriend about that.

[…] Organizing the perfect wine tour for a special occasion or just because is not as difficult as one might believe. The following offers some helpful tips that will assist individuals in creating the wine tour of their dreams. […]

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How to properly pack a bottle of wine in your suitcase

By Kaitlyn McInnis

Packing for a trip is stressful enough – but packing wine or spirits in your suitcase is potentially wardrobe-ruining if you don’t take proper care to ensure all that alcohol stays in the bottle where it belongs.

Whether you’re planning to bring home a few vintage bottles from the vineyard you toured in France or want to surprise dad with his favourite scotch the next time you’re visiting home, we spoke to a handful of travel and culinary professionals to get their best tips on how to pack wine or other bottles in a suitcase.

These tried-and-tested methods require a little more effort than simply wrapping your vino in a sock – but they provide peace of mind by ensuring your bottles make it from gate to gate without breaking in your suitcase.

Choose the right suitcase

Always pack wine or spirits in a hard-sided spinning suitcase rather than a soft-sided suitcase or duffel bag – the more durable the better. Look for hard-sided options that are made with heavy-duty material like aluminium or polycarbonate. This will ensure that the contents don’t get squished or move around while in transit and will also help to absorb any inevitable shock from external factors between gates.

Wine-specific suitcases exist if you frequently purchase wine or spirits as a souvenir. These types of suitcases used to be bulky and inconvenient for regular travel but have recently become much more versatile.

“One of my favourite ways to travel with wine or to pack wine on the way home from a trip is to use FlyWithWine’s VinGardeValise suitcases ,” says Brianne Cohen , a Los Angeles-based wine educator and sommelier. “They come in five, eight, and 12 bottle options and what is so great about these hard-sided suitcases is that they are modular in design, and you can pull out the bottle inserts as needed.”

“For example, if I’m travelling to wine country , I keep the inserts on one side of the suitcase (this side travels empty on my way to wine country) and remove the inserts on the other side, which is where I pack my clothes and toiletries,” explains Cohen. “On the way home, I pop my new wines into the empty side with inserts, and they travel perfectly.”

Cushion your wine or spirit bottle to absorb impact

If you're bringing wine home from a trip, set yourself up for success the moment you start packing. First off, pack wine in your checked luggage, not your carry-on – it's too much liquid to bring on the plane. From there, it's all about cushion.

“To avoid breakage, start by packing a good layer of clothing above and below your wine bottle,” says Carrie Ann Karstunen , a former flight attendant and travel blogger. “It's a good idea to pack shoes (I put mine in shoe bags) around the perimeter for an added shock absorber.”

Keeping everything as tight and secure as possible will yield the best result. You’ll want to pack your thicker clothes on the bottom, the wine in the middle, and smaller and lighter clothes around the bottle. Finally, you should pad the top of the suitcase with thicker clothing like sweaters or jeans.

Never pack two bottles next to one another

When you're packing more than one bottle of wine in your luggage, expect the worst if those bottles strike one another in transit.

“When packing more than one bottle of wine, make sure you take proper care to separate them with a shock-absorbing barrier – a bundle of clothes, shoes, or lots of bubble wrap,” adds Karstunen.

Invest in bottle-specific accessories

If you transport wine regularly or you do not want to take any chances, you can invest in wine- and spirits-specific accessories made for keeping them secure in transit. These protective bags will help avoid additional damage if, worst case, one of the bottles breaks in transit. 

Melissa L. Smith, founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services , suggests looking into inflatable wine travel protector bags if you are travelling with just a few bottles in your checked luggage. The ones with zip-top closures are even safer – should bottles break, none of the contents of your luggage will be damaged. There’s also the Bottle Hero , which comes with protective bubble padding, and the JetBag , which offers a super absorbent layer that will soak up at least 750ml of liquid (the size of a standard wine bottle) without leaking into your luggage.

Don't pack a bottle that's already been opened

Savvy travellers know that high-altitude air travel causes liquids to expand.

“Even well-sealed containers can leak when pressure expands the contents, making a mess of your packed items,” Karstunen says. “Enjoy your opened bottle before you fly, or give the rest to a wine-loving friend, but do not pack a bottle that has already been opened under any circumstances.”

Ask the winery or distillery if they ship

If you've fallen in love with a certain vintage on a winery tour, ask if they ship to your home address. Many do, and it’s often a lot cheaper than checking an additional suitcase.

“Before you take a chance with shoving a bottle in your suitcase, find out if the winery can send a bottle or more in an insulated box to your door,” Karstunen says.

Let the wine rest before opening it

Whether you packed wine in a suitcase or had it shipped to your door, you’ll want to be patient before enjoying a bottle. Smith urges travellers to let wines rest for as long as possible after transport because the wines can be adversely affected by the jostling, elevation change, and temperature variations. Aim for a minimum of one to two weeks – the wine will be that much more delicious when you finally do open it.

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveler .

Luxe Adventure Traveler

Adventure Travel With a Glass of Wine

How to Pack Wine in Luggage

By Jennifer Dombrowski 47 Comments

We’re oenophiles. Not only do we love tasting and learning about wine around the world, wine is one of our favorite souvenirs to bring home from a trip. Wine can be delicate to travel with and you never want to arrive home to your clothes stained burgundy from a broken bottle of red. Traveling with wine is actually a lot easier than you think, though. Can you bring alcohol on a plane? Absolutely, but only in checked baggage unless you’re purchasing it from duty free. After years of flying with wine ourselves, we’ve put together our tips for how to pack wine in luggage and everything you need to know about how much wine you can bring back.

Shop and bring home wine from your wine travels easily on the airplane

Flying with Wine, Alcohol and Champagne

Rule 1: you cannot take alcohol in hand luggage.

This might seem blatantly obvious, but too many travelers overlook the fact that you can only travel with wine in checked luggage. Whether it be nostalgia for the days before 9/11 when you could carry bottles – or even cases – of wine on the plane or just total lack of awareness of the TSA prohibited items list, we still see far too many distraught travelers reluctantly handing over their bottles of Dom Pérignon for the TSA agents to drink later. Or worse yet, travelers standing on the other side of the ropes while they guzzle their bottle before boarding the plane.

Liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces are prohibited to take in your carry-on bags, with the exception of wine and spirits purchased in duty free shops after passing through security. Just be aware that if you are making a flight connection in which you’ll have to re-enter security, you may not be able to bring duty free wine through with you when re-screened. This happens particularly if you are flying international and then connecting to a domestic flight.

Bringing wine into the US on the plane is easier than you think, though, and you have a couple of options for flying with alcohol.

• If you only plan to bring back a couple of bottles, there are various types of wine bottle packaging you can purchase ahead of your trip. A wine travel bag or wine bottle protector is designed to add some cushion around the bottles, and the best ones seal and are leak-proof.
• If you’re planning to bring back a larger amount of wine than just 2-3 bottles, consider investing in a wine suitcase. These suitcases are designed specifically to fit and protect 12 bottles of wine.
• Consider checking a case of wine as luggage. It’s treated as any other checked baggage and the winery often will package it up for you with the same protective materials they use when packaging wine for shipping.

Champagne in checked luggage also isn’t a problem. Many travelers are concerned about whether the pressure affects champagne and you can rest assured that even the cargo holds on planes are pressurized. Even though the plane’s interior goes through small cabin pressurization changes that can make your ears pop or cause a bottle of shampoo to occasionally pop open, champagne bottles and their corks are built to withstand far more pressure.

One last thing. It should also go without saying that you must be 21 years of age to bring alcohol into the US, even if you are only bringing it as a gift.

A bottle of wine for a special year like a birth year or an anniversary is a special souvenir you want to safely get back home

How Much Wine Can You Bring Back into the USA?

Rule 2: when it comes to bringing alcohol into US in checked luggage, you need to adhere to the TSA’s rules on alcoholic beverages. The TSA alcohol limit is divided into two categories:

• alcoholic beverages that contain between 24% – 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters per person;
• alcoholic beverages that contain less than 24% alcohol have no limit.

So how much wine can I bring back from France then? Great news: as much as you want!

Nearly all wine contains less than 24% alcohol, so there is no TSA-regulated quantity limit for the amount of wine in your checked bag for personal use. Just always be sure to check the TSA website for any changes to this policy before you travel.

Individual airline baggage weight limits still apply, but you can use up your entire weight allotment for wine if you chose. It’s good to know that one bottle of wine weighs approximately 3 pounds, though it may vary slightly since some winemakers use heavier bottles.

Use wine bottle protectors to protect wine in your checked luggage

How to Pack Alcohol in Checked Luggage

The challenge of packing wine in your checked luggage is making sure you don’t end up with 750 milliliters of Chianti on your clothes. Wine bottles can be delicate and luggage handlers generally don’t handle your luggage with the utmost care. Your luggage is likely to get tossed, jostled, and probably will end up shooting down onto the conveyor belt upside down and backwards.

As frequent travelers flying with wine, we’ve tried it all and have yet to arrive home with a broken bottle. When we’ve not planned in advance to bring wine home, wrapping one or two bottles up in something unimportant like pajamas, socks, and t-shirts does the trick. Just be sure to nestle your bottle into the middle of your suitcase and cushion it as best as possible. You might even want to add a little extra protection like placing it inside a plastic shopping bag or the plastic laundry bag from your hotel room just in case.

It’s really best to be prepared with wine sleeves for airplane travel, though. There’s many brands making these wine bottle travel protectors these days and it’s super easy to order them on Amazon. Many wineries often sell wine bottle bags in their shops too, but you’ll pay a higher price than if you just ordered them and brought them along with you on your trip. They’re flat and weigh next to nothing, so there’s no reason not to just pack them and save that extra money to spend on wine.

We particularly like the brand WineSkin. They’re basically bubble wrap wine bottle protectors that are a special leak-proof vinyl bag specially contoured to fit 750 mL bottles of wine. The have an adhesive seal and will keep your bottle safe and the rest of the contents of your suitcase dry just in case the bottle does break. WineSkins are sold in 2-packs , 4-packs or 6-packs and are often even available in wine shops if you haven’t ordered some in advance.

If you’re bringing back more than just a couple of bottles, consider purchasing a wine suitcase like the Vin Garde Valise Grande 04 Wine Travel Case . It’s a spinner hard shell suitcase with specially designed compartments to hold up to 12 wine bottles of any shape or 10 wine bottles and two champagne bottles. When fully packed with 12 bottles, it comes in weighing between 43-49 pounds and under the checked baggage weight limit of 50 pounds for most airlines. When you’re not using it for packing alcohol in luggage, it can be used as a regular suitcase.

Even with a specially configured suitcase for packing wine, alcohol and other bottles like balsamic vinegar, you might want to consider adding extra protection by securing the bottles in WineSkins.

Ask wineries for a wine shipping container, which will protect your wine if you’re checking a case of wine as checked luggage

Checking a Case of Wine as Luggage

Most airlines treat cardboard boxes just as they would a suitcase. It shouldn’t exceed the weight limit (typically 50 lbs for most airlines) and should clearly display your name on the outside of it.

Many wineries, particularly if they ship their wine, have packaging materials on hand and will either just package it all up for you at no extra charge or will only charge a small fee for the packaging materials. Wine cases for shipping have separators and bottle protectors that will help keep your wine safe during your flight home.

Marking the box fragile really won’t help. Most airline baggage handlers say that they rarely notice those stickers, so you want to make sure it’s all packaged up really well. Write all of your information on the outside of the box, including your flight number. Then simply show up at check-in, place it on the scale and pay any additional baggage fees since the case of wine presumably isn’t your only piece of checked luggage.

Some airlines will let you check a case of wine for free, like Alaska Airlines’ Wine Flies Free program. Alaska Airlines allows Alaska Mileage Plan members to check one case containing up to 12 bottles for free when departing from 29 airports in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California wine regions. So be sure to ask about any airline loyalty perks either before you fly or once you arrive at the airline check-in counter.

Direct Shipping

If it all still seems like a hassle, inquire with the wine shop about shipping options. Many wine shops and wineries will ship wine direct all over the world. They’ll take care to package it all up properly and your wine will arrive at your home without the weight and hassle of having to get it there yourself.

This article contains affiliate links. When you shop on Amazon through our affiliate links, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Loved this post? We love when you share our content! ~ Jen & Tim

About Jennifer Dombrowski

Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.

July 31, 2013 at 1:49 PM

Thanks for sharing the info, Jennifer. WineSkin is great! I’ve never seen it before. Will keep in mind.

Jennifer Dombrowski says

August 1, 2013 at 1:43 PM

We’ve just started seeing WineSkin more and more in shops around Europe. A winery we recently visited in Greece had them for sale for €3 each. But you can get a good deal if you order in advance from places like Amazon.

Marlene Dombrowski says

July 31, 2013 at 12:09 PM

Great idea. Since we cannot ship wine to Erie the wine sleeve is a great idea.

thefancyvoyager says

July 31, 2013 at 3:07 PM

Didn’t know about the wine skin but now I do! It would be a disaster if your wine bottle gets broken in your luggage!

August 1, 2013 at 1:45 PM

Yes, that definitely would not be good! We’ve had luck in the past with wrapping in clothes or having the wine shop bubble wrap or box wine for us. But we like a little extra reassurance. Since WineSkin is so easy to pack, it gives us that.

July 31, 2013 at 4:37 PM

This is very important advice! Thanks….

July 31, 2013 at 7:41 PM

This post totally reminded me of when I brought 8 bottles of wine back from Australia – in my carry-on in 2005 (they actually didn’t put the liquid limitations in effect until several years after 9/11).

One thing people need to keep in mind, though, is that there are customs limits on how much alcohol you can bring into the country without paying duties on it. I remember looking at the rules extensively when I brought my wine back from Australia and decided it was a low enough charge that I would just deal with it – in the end, the customs guy barely glanced at my form and ignored the fact that I declared 8 bottles.

Different US states also have rules about whether you can ship alcohol into the state, so people should check those before shipping anything. I remember deciding against shipping because it appeared I couldn’t legally ship wine into Illinois.

August 1, 2013 at 1:51 PM

Great points, Katie. Yes, there are still state regulations and taxes for what you bring in. And you should always be honest about what you are declaring as there are hefty fines if you aren’t honest and are caught.

I totally remember the days when you could carry alcohol on the plane. I think it was also 2005 when we brought back bottles of rum and the like, carried on the plane in a box, from St. Maarten.

Cathy Sweeney says

August 1, 2013 at 12:52 AM

I need to start checking luggage so that I can bring home bottles of wine again. I think it might be a bit expensive to ship bottles from Italy to the U.S. Never saw someone guzzling their wine on the other side of security! 🙂 But I guess I can sympathize. 🙂

August 1, 2013 at 1:53 PM

You’d be surprised about the shipping. Some wine shops even ship for free. They have to acquire special licenses to export alcohol and often have negotiated special shipping terms.

Jessica J. Hill says

August 1, 2013 at 2:58 AM

Great to know! I love wine as well. I saw you’re going to SE Asia soon. Are you also going to Hong Kong by chance? If so, there’s an amazing winery there – they make wine on the island, but they import the grapes from the Pacific Northwest and other great wine regions. I can’t remember the name for sure, but if you’re going, I’ll certainly find out!

August 1, 2013 at 1:28 PM

The winery in Hong Kong sounds great! We’ll only be going to Thailand and Myanmar on this trip. But don’t be surprised when I come knocking for that info when we do make it to Hong Kong!

Arianwen says

August 1, 2013 at 4:06 AM

This post was made for me!! I usually just shove the bottle in my backpack and hope my clothes will keep it cushioned…!

August 1, 2013 at 1:18 PM

The great thing about WineSkin is it is light weight, easy to shove in any kind of bag, and will protect your wine. Plus they’re reusable, so always a win!

Laurel says

August 1, 2013 at 10:43 AM

I like the WineSkin idea, I haven’t seen those before. Unfortunately when I travel around Europe, it’s usually only with a carry on luggage so I can’t bring any of the good stuff home with me.

August 1, 2013 at 12:59 PM

We travel carry on most of the time too, though we’ll check a bag on the way home to be able to bring home wine. There’s definitely been times where it just wasn’t possible to bring any home though, like from my trip to Napa Valley.

Jennifer says

August 1, 2013 at 11:41 AM

Right, that's a good point. Some state regulations, like in Pennsylvania, don't allow the shipping of alcohol.

Glad to hear you found it helpful!

August 1, 2013 at 1:16 PM

Good article. We’ve become experts at shoving booze into suitcases and getting them home safely. Unless you really have a guilty on your face at customs, they won’t check your baggage. One thing though about Direct Shipping – sure they can send all over the world, but you better make sure that you have all the paperwork in order for when you get home. In Canada the government distributes all booze (here in Quebec the SAQ is the government corporation). They import all booze and sell it through their own stores. A few years ago I had a box of wine shipped to me from Italy and it was a nightmare. Plus I ended up paying about 60% of the value of the wine in fees. I don’t know about the rest of Canada but here in Quebec they are very protective about their monopoly. Whole story here: http://bbqboy.net/the-san-gimignano-and-chianti-tour-italy/ My only advice is to be very certain that you know all the rules. For instance, I didn’t know that I would have had to arrange the customs paperwork in advance. How would I know that when I was buying my wine spur of the moment? Personally, I will never have wine shipped to me directly again. Better off sneaking it in suitcases. Guess you guys in US don’t have to put up with all that government crap? Keep up the good work! Frank (bbqboy)

August 1, 2013 at 1:59 PM

That sounds like a pain for Canada! We don’t know about the shipping rules regarding alcohol outside of the US, so thanks for the reminder for any other Canadians reading this!

Regulations on shipping vary from state to state, and some states are “dry” states and don’t allow the import of alcohol, like Utah and Pennsylvania. We generally stick to around 3 – 5 bottles to bring home and just do so in our suitcase.

rory silva says

March 20, 2016 at 1:10 AM

Frank, The same happens in Brazil. If I have the wine sent direct to my home I will pay 60% of taxes to the government. Better to have them in my checked-in luggage.

August 1, 2013 at 5:57 PM

Great tips…I flew up to Atlanta for the day recently and was given a great bottle of wine that I wanted to get home. I weighed the options for quite a while before deciding to check my duffle bag with the wine and pray it made it home. Thankfully it did, and the bottle rests on my shelf:)

August 4, 2013 at 8:37 PM

Glad to hear your bottle made it safely home, D.J.! We’ve only got room for about 6 more bottles on our wine racks now. Time to order another wine rack or to start drinking more often!

Wanderlust Marriage says

August 2, 2013 at 8:30 AM

Great tips! We’ve certainly seen a few expensive bottles be handed over especially when people are transferring and thought they were safe… yet to see someone guzzle a bottle on the side though 😉 Love the wine skins, we're going to have to order some of those!

Don Enright says

August 3, 2013 at 10:29 PM

Thanks for introducing me to the wineskin. My sister the oenophile just travels with a big-a$$ roll of bubble wrap. Now I have something to get her for her birthday!

August 4, 2013 at 5:34 PM

She sounds serious about getting her wine home safely. Bet she’ll love WineSkin, Don!

August 4, 2013 at 6:35 PM

It's got to be the worst to have your bottle of wine confiscated, especially an expensive bottle!

August 4, 2013 at 7:33 PM

Thanks for the tips! I tried to bring home a bottle of strawberry wine once and you’re right, I ended up with soaked clothes when I arrived home LOL

August 4, 2013 at 8:20 PM

Oh man! Strawberry wine isn’t what you want all over your clothes. Hope these tips help for the next time you bring some home, Aleah!

August 5, 2013 at 12:48 PM

My mum actually forgot when we were in Portugal that she had a nice bottle of port in her hand luggage, I felt soooo awful for her.

Heather says

August 6, 2013 at 8:57 AM

We just brought four bottles home from Budapest – one in a wine skin and three wrapped up with our dirty laundry. Baggage handlers can be particularly rough in China so we were thrilled not to find our bags leaking red wine on the conveyor belt!

Thanks so much for the tip on Faust Wine Cellar! We did the six wine tasting and had an amazing time! Gabor said to tell you hello 🙂

August 6, 2013 at 1:46 PM

Glad to hear your wine made it safely home and that you enjoyed Faust! Gabor is so knowledgable and has the best Hungarian wines.

August 6, 2013 at 2:03 PM

I should get a WineSkin, since I always seem to be traveling with wine. (The only time I check a bag — ever!) There’s just something about bringing home a bottle from a favorite winery and drinking it at home. They all make winery-only bottles, so it is that special. I love it.

August 6, 2013 at 7:24 PM

I agree, Abby! I live bringing home a special bottle to enjoy later. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane to the holiday.

August 6, 2013 at 4:21 PM

Great tips! I’m not much of a wine drinker, but I can imagine Andy wanting to bring back beer at some point.

August 6, 2013 at 8:39 PM

We tend to only bring beer home on road trips. I haven’t checked out any packing options for beer for when we fly. But I would have loved to bring home some Red Donkey from the Santorini Brewing Company in Greece!

Randy Kalp says

August 7, 2013 at 3:40 AM

I think it’s high time we paid a visit to you guys! Your wine collection looks awesome. I can vouch for the wine skin too. We used it once coming back from Toronto and it worked like a charm. Though, too often than not, we usually just stuff the bottle in between some clothes and pray. 🙂

August 7, 2013 at 11:30 PM

We’d love to have you visit! We can take you on a wine tour along the Friuli Wine Road, so don’t forget to pack your WineSkin. 😉

JR Riel says

September 19, 2013 at 1:22 AM

Great post and awesome tips! And thanks for sharing it with us at this week’s “Drifter Tips: Travel Smart!”

May 7, 2014 at 11:35 PM

Just got off the phone with TSA and they report there is a limit of 5L per bag, thus the wonderful 12 bottle winecheck.com shipper I had found won’t work, unless I only fill it with 6 bottles!

May 10, 2014 at 12:28 AM

Hi Vicky! Actually, and I just doubled checked with TSA again to ensure our information is current, there is no limit for the number of bottles or liters if the alcohol content is less than 24%. As nearly all wine contains less than 24% alcohol, you have no limit.

The 5 liter limit specifically applies to alcohol between 24 – 70% because it is then considered a hazardous material. Alcohol greater than 70% cannot even be brought into the US.

September 3, 2014 at 11:14 PM

If travelling in Europe, another option is getting the specialized luggage or bottle protectors from Lazenne. They shop directly to hotels.

Olivia says

June 30, 2015 at 4:02 PM

WineSkin looks like a total must-have! Do they deliver to Europe, I would like to send a friend one as a gift! Thanks for sharing!

Jaime Ball says

November 13, 2015 at 1:28 PM

I didn’t know of the existence of wine skin bottle bags. It sounds very clever way to pack the bottles! Glad to find this post!

Daniela Adams says

November 20, 2015 at 1:11 AM

I am going to Italy next month, and I want to bring back wine with me. I’ve never done it before, so your article is super helpful for me. I am going to use any unimportant clothes I have to protect these bottles. I’m glad to know that there are actual packages designed specifically for wine bottles.

Angela Waterford says

November 27, 2019 at 8:29 PM

Thanks for reminding me that it’s completely fine to travel with a bottle of wine as long as it’s in check-in luggage. Since my sister plans to give our brother a bottle of wine for the holidays, I thought that he could something reusable that he can travel with should he want to take it to the airport when he goes to the beach. I think that I’ll buy him some wine bags since he’s a big fan of drinking different types of wines.

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Wine bottle

Check with your airline before bringing any alcohol beverages on board. FAA regulations prohibit travelers from consuming alcohol on board an aircraft unless served by a flight attendant.  Additionally, Flight Attendants are not permitted to serve a passenger who is intoxicated.

Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags. 

Mini bottles of alcohol in carry-on must be able to comfortably fit into a single quart-sized bag.

For more information, see FAA regulation: 49 CFR 175.10(a)(4).

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A Complete Guide to Traveling Safely with Wine Bottles

Why traveling with wine bottles requires special care.

Traveling with wine bottles requires special care due to the delicate nature of the bottles and the potential for breakage. Wine bottles are fragile and can easily shatter , leading to a messy and potentially dangerous situation. Additionally, changes in temperature and pressure during travel can affect the taste and quality of the wine. It is important to take necessary precautions to ensure the safe transportation of wine bottles.

Understanding the Risks of Traveling with Wine Bottles

Traveling with wine bottles comes with certain risks that need to be considered. Fragility is a major concern, as glass bottles can easily break during transportation. Temperature fluctuations can also affect the quality of the wine, as extreme heat or cold can spoil the taste. Additionally, regulations and restrictions on carrying alcohol vary from country to country, so it's important to be aware of any limitations before traveling. Taking these risks into account will help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey with your wine bottles.

Benefits of Traveling with Wine Bottles

Traveling with wine bottles can enhance your overall travel experience. Not only do you have the opportunity to enjoy your favorite wines while on the go, but it also allows you to explore local vineyards and wine regions in different parts of the world. Additionally, bringing back souvenir bottles of wine can serve as a memorable keepsake from your trip. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply enjoy the occasional glass, traveling with wine bottles can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your travels.

Choosing the Right Wine Bottles for Travel

Considerations for selecting travel-friendly wine bottles.

When choosing wine bottles for travel, there are several important factors to consider. Size is one of the most crucial considerations, as larger bottles may be more prone to breakage. Opting for lightweight bottles can also help reduce the risk of damage during transportation. Additionally, screw-top bottles are generally more travel-friendly than those with corks, as they are less likely to leak. Finally, it is recommended to select wines that are resilient and can withstand changes in temperature and pressure. By taking these considerations into account, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable journey with your wine bottles.

Packaging Options for Wine Bottles

When it comes to packaging options for wine bottles, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Protective packaging is essential to ensure that your wine bottles arrive safely at your destination. Some popular packaging options include wine bottle sleeves , wine bottle protectors , and wine bottle boxes . These options provide cushioning and insulation to prevent breakage during travel. Additionally, using bubble wrap or packing peanuts can provide an extra layer of protection. It's important to choose packaging materials that are sturdy and secure to minimize the risk of damage. Remember to label your wine bottles as fragile and handle with care to alert handlers to their delicate nature. By selecting the right packaging options, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that your wine bottles are well-protected.

Tips for Packing Wine Bottles Safely

When packing wine bottles for travel, it is important to take extra precautions to ensure they arrive at your destination intact. Here are some tips to help you pack wine bottles safely:

• Use a sturdy wine bottle box or a specialized wine carrier to protect the bottles from impact and temperature changes.
• Wrap each bottle individually in bubble wrap or foam sleeves to provide cushioning and prevent them from clinking together.
• Place the wrapped bottles in a vertical position to minimize the risk of leakage during travel.
• Fill any empty spaces in the box with packing material like crumpled paper or packing peanuts to prevent movement.
• Label the box as fragile and indicate that it contains wine bottles to ensure careful handling.

By following these tips, you can travel with wine bottles confidently and enjoy your favorite wines wherever you go.

Transporting Wine Bottles

Carrying wine bottles in checked luggage.

When it comes to carrying wine bottles in checked luggage , it's important to take extra precautions to ensure they arrive safely at your destination. One option is to use wine bottle protectors , which provide cushioning and insulation. Another option is to use wine bottle travel cases , which are specifically designed to securely hold and protect wine bottles during travel. Additionally, it's crucial to properly pack the bottles to prevent any breakage. This can be done by wrapping each bottle in bubble wrap or packing them in wine bottle sleeves . By following these tips, you can enjoy your favorite wines while traveling without worrying about any mishaps.

Shipping Wine Bottles

When it comes to shipping wine bottles , it is crucial to take extra precautions to ensure the bottles arrive safely at their destination. One option is to use specialized wine bottle shipping boxes that provide extra padding and protection. These boxes are designed to fit standard wine bottles snugly, reducing the risk of breakage during transit. Another option is to wrap each bottle individually in bubble wrap and place them in a sturdy cardboard box. Make sure to fill any empty spaces in the box with packing material to prevent the bottles from shifting during transport. Additionally, it is important to label the package as fragile and handle with care to alert the shipping carriers. By following these guidelines, you can minimize the risk of damage to your precious wine bottles while shipping them to your desired location.

Carrying Wine Bottles in Carry-On Luggage

When it comes to carrying wine bottles in carry-on luggage, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. TSA regulations require that all liquids in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less, and all containers must fit comfortably in a single quart-sized bag. Unfortunately, this means that most wine bottles will not meet the size restrictions for carry-on luggage. However, if you have a special bottle of wine that you don't want to risk checking in, you can always contact the airline in advance to inquire about their specific policies and guidelines for carrying wine bottles on board. It's also worth noting that some airports may have restrictions on carrying liquids through security checkpoints, so it's always a good idea to check with the airport's website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information.

Final Thoughts on Traveling Safely with Wine Bottles

In conclusion, traveling with wine bottles can be a delightful experience if proper precautions are taken. Protecting the bottles from breakage and temperature fluctuations is crucial to ensure the quality of the wine remains intact. Whether you choose to carry the bottles in checked luggage, ship them, or bring them in your carry-on, it's important to follow the regulations and guidelines set by airlines and transportation companies. By selecting travel-friendly wine bottles, using suitable packaging options, and packing them safely, you can enjoy your favorite wines wherever you go. Remember to always check the customs regulations of your destination to avoid any issues. Cheers to safe and enjoyable travels with your beloved wine bottles!

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W ine can be considered a universal language among humans, and plenty of vino aficionados will travel the world in search of the best bottle. Fortunately, there are top-tier vineyards around the world that wine lovers can visit for a chance to delight their taste buds.

Combining travel with a wine-tasting excursion is the perfect trip idea, whether it's time for a romantic getaway, a girls' trip, or some solo travel. These are some of the most beautiful vineyards in the world that every wine lover should have on their must-visit list.

Champagne, France

Tucked away in the northern region of France, Champagne is a beautiful province and a popular travel destination. According to CV Villas , a luxury travel brand, the region is the world’s number-one destination for wine lovers and romantics looking to treat their taste buds to sparkling wine.

The region is known to produce some of the best sparkling wines in the world such as Champagne, which is named after the region of its origin. The area boasts a stunning landscape filled with lush vineyards and charming towns worth exploring.

Côtes de Provence, France

Bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the south, Côtes de Provence is a must-visit destination in France for the ardent wine lover. The region is famed for producing twenty of the best two hundred wines from around the world.

Honeymooners love visiting the region just to experience the refreshing taste of Château d'Esclans Les Clans Rosé 2020 wine, one of the many refreshing rose flavors produced in the area. CV Villas ranks this region as the second-best wine destination in the world. It’s a great place to discover the best wines in France .

Napa Valley, USA

One place that seems to give France’s wine dominance a run for its money is the iconic Napa Valley in the United States. It’s the third-most-popular place in the world that wine aficionados should have on their travel bucket list.

The region is known for the production of excellent varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. It’s home to beautiful wineries that offer romantic al fresco dining setups complemented by awe-inspiring views of undulating mountains.

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Bolgheri, Italy

Italy is also represented among the world’s best wine destinations by the lovely Bolgheri. This coastal region is famed for its delightful wineries that produce some of the best-tasting wines.

Tourists come here each year not only to indulge in delicious wines but to also feast their eyes on splendid views of the dramatic coastal scenery.

• World-renowned wineries such as Ornellaia are known to produce some of the best red wines in the world.

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Fifth on the list of the best wine destinations in the world according to CV Villas is South Africa’s Stellenbosch. Wine aficionados planning to travel to Africa usually have this region on top of their list of places to visit.

As the producer of world-class wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage, Stellenbosch has a major claim to fame. There are several other picturesque wineries in the area such as De Toren Private Cellar that offer wine-tasting tours and breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

Toscana, Italy

Among the world’s best wine destinations is another representative of Italy, Toscana. Sprawling along the stunning Ligurian coast, this is one of the most famous wine-growing regions in Europe and the whole world.

• The area is famed for “Wine Windows”, a unique wine tradition that dates back to Medieval times .

Vacationers and adventure-seekers come here to tour the picturesque wineries found on the undulating Tuscan hills. Romantic couples come to admire the gorgeous sunsets over the vineyards.

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Ribera del Duero, Spain

Tucked away in the northern part of Spain, Ribera del Duero is a world-famous wine destination that ranks highly, according to CV Villas, among the ten best wine destinations in the world. The area is known to produce premium quality wines such as Vega Sicilia and Pingus, which honeymooners and romantics adore very much.

• The region has the perfect climate and soil conditions for growing Tempranillo grapes, which are the best for producing high-quality wine.

Sonoma County, USA

California is another fantastic destination that should be on the wishlist of every wine aficionado visiting the United States. The state is home to Sonoma County, the eighth-best wine destination in the world according to a study conducted by CV Villas.

During springtime, the region is usually flocked by wine lovers hoping to join the exhilarating wine-tasting tours that take adventures across beautiful vineyards in the county. It boasts about 240 square kilometers of picturesque vineyards worth visiting.

Puligny-Montrachet, France

Another must-visit destination in France for wine aficionados is the beautiful commune of Puligny-Montrachet. Set in the eastern part of the country, the region is the proud producer of the popular Burgundy wine which boasts an excellent variety of dry white wines as well as velvety and full-bodied red wines.

Most of the vineyards in the area grow grapes such as chardonnay, aligoté, and pinot blanc that make the white wines as well as pinot and Gamay for the red varieties. Among the ten best wine destinations globally, it ranks ninth.

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Franciacorta, Italy

Found in the Lombardy Region of Italy, Franciacorta is tenth on the list of the world’s best wine destinations. The region is known to produce some of the finest wines in the world such as Berlucchi, Bellavista, and Ca' del Bosco.

It is a great place where romantics can enjoy a peaceful escape while exploring the picturesque vineyards and tickling their taste buds with a variety of sparkling wines.

• The famous Franciacorta wine, which is a dry wine, comes from this region.

No matter what varietal wine lovers seek, a wine-tasting trip to any of these destinations is sure to grant them a delectable tasting experience—as well as delightful travels.

The best cocktail bars in Washington, DC

A bold collection of speakeasies, rooftop bars and hotel haunts are turning Washington, DC into a mecca for mixologists. With an inventive and unique list of libations, this city is quickly becoming a destination for cocktail connoisseurs.

Come for the Capitol, stay for the cocktails. Washington, DC invented the Gin Rickey, after all, but these days, the US capital is harnessing this heritage with a wave of innovative cocktail bars and meccas of molecular wizardry. From sleek hotel lounges, like The Pembroke, to moody, subterranean speakeasies, like Allegory, there's been lots of new openings and refreshed menus in recent years, with mixologists utilising unusual ingredients like hay-smoked bee larvae and almond blossoms. Here's our selection of the most atmospheric, creative cocktail spots to visit.  

1.   The Wells

Juniper junkies converge on Capitol Hill for this gin-centric cocktail lounge. The intimate bar is backed by a glass menagerie of gin: London dry, citrus-forward Japanese bottles, oak-aged varieties and smooth, small-batch American sips. These are the stars of seasonal cocktails like Let the Beet Drop, a concoction of yoghurt gin, red beet, honey, egg white and lemon. The design is just as spirited: The Wells is swathed in green, while carrot-coloured banquettes edge alcoves, the floor is tiled in honeycomb and a planetary-like light fixture is strung with copper. Pair drinks with elevated snacks like beluga caviar and chips or wagyu skewers with spicy habanada.

Bartender’s choice: The Martini is a staple. The addition of olive oil in the gin allows for the sweetness of olives to play with the botanicals of gin, while Cocchi Americano smooths out the edges. “It’s an olive oil cake, and it’s all grown up,” says lead bartender Alex Pisi.

2.   Allegory

Molecular magic is made at Allegory. You just have to find it first: the sleek speakeasy is hidden behind a black door in the lobby library of progressive hotel Eaton DC. This dimly-lit den spans leather banquettes, a glowing semi-circular bar and moody black pendant lights. A series of magical realist murals by Erik Thor Sandberg line the walls, fusing whimsical Alice in Wonderland themes with the story of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. The innovative cocktail menu is inspired by the artwork, and bar bites include artisanal cheese plates and crispy pork bánh mì.

Bartender’s choices: Beat of the Drums is Allegory’s version of the classic margarita, blending agave spirits with a Mesoamerican orgeat and fermented huckleberries, then garnished with a piece of huckleberry popcorn. Other inventions, such as the viridescent Garden of Live Flowers (made with gin, rhum agricole, aloe, snap peas, cardomom and coconut black pepper) are also well worth a try.

3.   Silver Lyan

Bring your bucks to this historic former national bank. Its current guise is the grande dame Riggs Washington DC hotel, where the underground cocktail bar is built into an old vault. Silver Lyan’s decor reflects its heritage: brass detailing, stately pillars, oversized art deco lights and plush red velvet. At the helm is award-winning mixologist, Ryan Chetiyawardana (known as Mr Lyan), whose cutting-edge cocktails use unique ingredients, such as tart riberry, arrowroot tea and mulberry soda to name a few.  

Bartender’s choice: Splurge on the Silver Service Martini. Choose one of four different styles of martini, poured into an elegant John Jenkins vintage-style glass. The drink is served with Castelvetrano olives, house-pickled onions, a lemon twist and a freshly shucked oyster. “My personal favourite version is the Ford’s 50:50,” says Vlad Novikov, head of bars for Riggs.

4.   Bresca

With one beaming Michelin star, this Parisian-style bistro on 14th Street may be serious about sustenance, but it’s equally as playful. Inside are pops of perky yellow, booths of deep blue and a living wall swollen with earthy moss. Pull up a pew at the airy bar lined with wooden stools, where Bresca's cocktail menu, Myths & Legends, is a work of art — it whimsically weaves stories with colourful illustrations and innovative seasonal sips.  

Bartender’s choices: In the Circle is a twist on the traditional Manhattan, using culinary techniques to accentuate the vanilla, dark chocolate and spice notes of the D’Ussé Cognac and Michter’s Rye. It’s batched and sous vide with earthy shiitake mushrooms to complement the sweeter local squash cordial. Alternatively, pair a cavier tart with Flora & Fire, a subtle, smoky tipple made with mezcal, cachaca, Aperol, yellow chartreuse and strawberry fuse.

5.   Off The Record

Paint the town red at Off the Record. This iconic basement boozer in The Hay-Adams hotel is dripping in the dramatic: deep rouge crawls from tufted banquettes to the walls and lampshades. A wedding cake ceiling is strung with chandeliers, while caricatures of political figures adorn the walls. Situated on the edge of Lafayette square, to the north of the White House, this bar is a hallowed haunt of savvy locals. Pair its sprawling list of scotches and signature cocktails with bites like lobster rolls, burgers or yellowfin tuna tartare.

Bartender’s choice:   Served in a collins glass, the Lowrider is a refreshing grapefruit cocktail made with Ilegal Mezcal, lime, Aperol, Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub, Fever Tree Pink Grapefruit and Tajín. “This cocktail is a tantalising way for lovers of the Paloma to spice up their game,” suggests bar manager Rachel Sergi.

6.   VUE Rooftop

The glistening crown atop Hotel Washington, this swish 11th-floor rooftop bar boasts fantastic panoramas of the city’s skyline, including views of the White House and stately Washington Monument. The interior is pared-back luxury: dark wood, billowy light fixtures and intimate booths. This is a space that seamlessly stretches from brunch to beats as live DJs play into the night. Soak up the Sazeracs with crispy calamari, lamb burgers or creamy burrata on rustic bread.

Bartender’s choice: Power to the Peaches blends white peach and rosemary Grey Goose Essence, which is complemented by Cointreau, chamomile, honey, lemon and a refreshing Chandon Garden Spritz. Alternatively, try one of the various seasonal cocktails like the Bi-partisan Blend, VUE's take on an espresso martini with horchata and chicory pecan bitters.  

7.   Jane Jane

Step into a Southern hospitality daydream. On 14th Street NW, retro-style Jane Jane may be small, but it has big energy. Plaid blue mosaic tiles trace the floor and bar, there are walnut-wood walls, vintage-inspired cocktail wallpaper and forest green pendant lights and booths. With only 32 seats, the intimate vibe is a cocktail party at a pal’s place which is welcoming, unpretentious and playful. Two dozen cocktails are organised by liquor, five of which are house varieties, while comfort bites are inspired by the owner’s Southern hospitality. Try the pickled okra, pimento cheese or Jane’s caviar with trout roe, creme fraiche and potato chips.

Bartender’s choice:   Should We Be Bad is the bar’s take on a classic espresso martini, replacing vodka with bourbon and adding velvet falernum for extra depth and body. Meanwhile, the jazzy Jane Jane Mule, where bourbon, fino sherry, lemon, mint, ginger beer and Angosturra are swirled on the rocks, is also well worth a try.  

8.   Hill Prince

This H Street haunt is the quintessential neighbourhood bar: convivial, affordable and pouring top-notch tipples. Set in a 100-year-old row house, Hill Prince is named after a racehorse and the classy equestrian vibe extends throughout: exposed brickwork, original pine flooring, brown leather sofas, gold-framed mirrors and a lick of hunter-green paint. There’s even a restored carriage house and a verdant courtyard to spill into on balmy nights. Head to the long main bar, dangling with moon-like pendant lights, where classic cocktails are created.  

Staff picks:   Try the savoury Mole Old Fashioned on draft, made using rye whiskey, Montenegro Amaro, Xocolatl Mole Bitters and Angostura Bitters. Alternatively, sample the house-made syrups and elixirs included in signature, summery drinks like the Vodka Mule made with peach bitters and spicy ginger beer.

9.   The Pembroke

Parisian-style The Pembroke may draw bon vivants for a bite, but its cocktails make it a libation destination. Within the Dupont Circle hotel, this restaurant is airy, leafy and chic with cream-panelled walls, coral Chanel tufted banquettes and picture windows offering views out over a summery terrace. It centres around a classic marble cocktail bar topped with gold lamps, where tinctures are shaken and stirred. Alongside an enormous wine list, cocktails have seasonal twists and locally sourced organic fare includes homemade lobster bucatini and lamb tagine with citrus couscous, to name a few.

Bartender’s choice: “The Hibiscus Margarita is a sophisticated twist on the classic margarita, featuring Casamigos Blanco, Cointreau, freshly squeezed lime juice and organic hibiscus syrup. Hibiscus syrup contributes a unique floral note, creating a well-rounded and robust flavour profile,” says bartender Tashawn Jackson.

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